Plant your own garden using pots and containers

Nothing beats the taste of home-grown vegetables, but if you don’t have a garden or live in a condo or an apartment, there are still many ways to grow and enjoy your own vegetables in the city.

As long as you have access to some outdoor space, either a patio or balcony, you can grow vegetables using pots and window boxes. It’s easier than you think to maintain and the results can be fantastic.

Here’s a list of the best vegetables to grow when you have limited space and not much of a green thumb.

Cherry Tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes are easiest to grow if you buy a plant that’s already potted. These are easy to find in the spring at grocery store nurseries or at corner stores that sell plants. Place the pot on a balcony that receives good sunlight and be sure to water daily. Cherry tomatoes grow quickly and frequently, so you’ll be enjoying these all summer long.

Carrots

As a root vegetable, carrots are easy to grow in pots that are at least 12 inches deep. Be sure to choose seeds that require stone-free soil and don’t grow to be too long. Plant the seeds in potting soil in early spring and water daily. They need mostly sun but can tolerate some shade. When you see the tops of the carrots poking through the soil they are ready to be plucked and enjoyed.

Beets or Radishes

More root vegetables! Just like carrots, these can be easily planted from seeds in a large pot. Just don’t crowd them - give the seeds room to grow. Place the pot in the sun and water daily. When you see the tops, they are ready to eat.

Lettuce

There are many types of lettuce to choose from, such as Leaf lettuce or Mesclun Mix, and each is relatively simple to plant and grow from seeds. Any type of pot or container will do, just plant the seeds in cool, moist soil and within 3 to 4 weeks you’ll be enjoying your own salad! Lettuce grows best in cooler weather, so start this in spring and be sure to place your pots in the shade on hot summer days.

Herbs

Herbs are probably the easiest to grow and maintain in small urban spaces. Small potted plants of assorted herbs are easy find in grocery and corner stores. You can either keep them in the small containers they came in, or transfer them all into one big pot. There are many to choices: basil, chives, oregano, parsley, rosemary, and sage, to name a few. Just keep them watered and in the sun and trim the ends when they start to flower. So when you’re cooking and need some flavour, just pick off a few leaves of your favourite herb and add it to your dish.

These are just a few easy suggestions to get you going on your vegetable garden in the city. Once you try a few, you’ll want to try more. With a little imagination, the possibilities are endless.

It's easy to plant your own vegetables

Ripe radishes ready for picking