5 Vegetables That Thrive in Pots

Dreaming of homegrown vegetables but lacking a sprawling garden? Fear not!  A sunny balcony or patio with a few well-placed pots is all you need to cultivate delicious, fresh produce. Here at Polhill Garden Centre, we bring you five easy vegetables that flourish in container gardens!

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a versatile favourite, and both determinate and indeterminate varieties can thrive in pots. Indeterminate tomatoes require support canes as they grow taller. In late spring, after the frost has vanished, plant young seedlings in containers or growbags. Consistent moisture is key for container-grown tomatoes to prevent fruit splitting after watering. Once flowers appear, provide a fortnightly boost with a liquid tomato feed. Harvest your tomatoes when they reach a vibrant, delicious colour.

Lettuce

Lamb’s Lettuce, also known as corn salad, adds a touch of sophistication to your salads. This cool-season crop thrives in pots and even on a sunny windowsill. Sow seeds directly in pots and keep the soil moist but not soggy. Regular watering is key, especially during dry spells. Unlike cut-and-come-again lettuce, Lamb’s lettuce is typically harvested whole. Simply snip the plants at the base when they reach a mature size, and enjoy their mild, nutty flavour. Sow successive plantings every few weeks throughout spring and fall to ensure a continuous harvest of this delicate green.

French Beans

Full-sized French beans can be container-grown with climbing supports. However, if you prefer to avoid a towering “Jack and the Beanstalk” situation on your patio, dwarf French beans are a fantastic alternative. Growing to a manageable 50cm, these compact plants deliver a generous harvest. Sow them outdoors in late spring after the frost has passed. Regular feeding, watering, and picking the young, tender beans (which encourages further production) are the keys to success.

Radishes

These fast-growing delights can be sown outdoors in pots filled with multipurpose compost from March to mid-August. Opt for short-rooted varieties that perform well in pots. Choose a spot with partial shade, sheltered from the midday sun. Consistent watering during dry spells is essential.  In just 4 weeks from sowing, you can be enjoying your homegrown radishes! Sow regularly throughout the summer for a continuous harvest.

Courgettes

Courgettes are surprisingly well-suited to container life.  Their growth can be easily managed by providing the necessary food and water.  Dwarf varieties are ideal for container planting. Choose a sunny location and water regularly. Once flowering begins, supplement with a high-potassium liquid fertiliser (like tomato feed) every two weeks. Harvest the courgettes while they are young to encourage the plant to continue producing.

Get Growing with Polhill Garden Centre!

At Polhill Garden Centre, we have everything you need to kickstart your container vegetable garden.  Our extensive selection of pots, compost, seeds and seedlings ensures you’ll find all the ingredients for success.  Visit us today and let’s get growing!