Top 10 Easy Vegetables to Grow in Containers

Why Container Gardening Works So Well

Before we dig into our top 10 list, let's talk about why container gardening is such a hit with home gardeners these days. Container gardening gives you the flexibility to grow fresh vegetables just about anywhere that gets decent sunlight. It's perfect for apartment dwellers, seniors who don't want to bend down to tend a traditional garden, or busy folks who want fresh veggies without the commitment of a full garden.

The secret to container gardening success is creating the right environment for your plants.

That means:

• Using containers with proper drainage
• Filling them with quality, nutrient-rich soil
• Providing appropriate water and sunlight
• Feeding plants regularly with organic nutrients

Our Top 10 Vegetables for Container Gardening

1. Cherry Tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes are container gardening superstars. These compact plants produce an abundance of sweet, juicy fruits throughout the growing season. They're perfect for beginners since they're fairly forgiving.

For best results:

• Choose a 5-gallon container at minimum
• Plant in All-Purpose Soil Mix enriched with 20% Ancient Soil
• Support with a small tomato cage or stakes
• Feed regularly with Bloom Juice once flowering begins

2. Leafy Greens (Lettuce, Spinach, Kale)

Leafy greens are some of the easiest vegetables to grow in containers and provide continuous harvests. Simply snip the outer leaves and they'll keep producing new growth from the center.

For best results:

• Use wide, shallow containers at least 6 inches deep
• Plant in All-Purpose Soil Mix
• Feed with Plant Juice every 2-3 weeks
• Harvest outer leaves first, letting inner leaves continue growing

3. Peppers (Bell and Hot)

Both sweet bell peppers and spicy varieties thrive in containers. They love heat and produce abundantly in the right conditions.

For best results:

• Choose a 3-5 gallon pot per plant
• Mix in 20% Bloomin' Soil with your potting mix
• Place in a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight
• Once peppers start forming, feed with Bloom Juice every 2 weeks

4. Bush Beans

Bush beans don't require trellising like pole beans, making them ideal for containers. They produce tender, delicious beans in abundance over several weeks.

For best results:

• Use a container at least 8 inches deep
• Plant in All-Purpose Soil Mix with 20% Ancient Soil
• Feed with Plant Juice until flowering, then switch to Bloom Juice
• Harvest regularly to encourage more production

5. Radishes

If you're impatient for results, radishes are your friend! These root vegetables mature in just 3-4 weeks, making them perfect for quick satisfaction.

For best results:

• Choose containers at least 6 inches deep
• Use All-Purpose Soil Mix
• Feed with Plant Juice every 2 weeks
• Sow new seeds every 2 weeks for continuous harvests

6. Cucumbers (Bush Varieties)

While traditional cucumber vines need lots of space, bush varieties are bred specifically for containers and produce full-sized cucumbers on compact plants.

For best results:

• Select a 5-gallon container minimum
• Mix in 20% Bloomin' Soil with your potting mix
• Provide a small trellis for support
• Feed with Bloom Juice once flowering starts

7. Herbs (Basil, Cilantro, Parsley)

Herbs are the gateway plants for many container gardeners. They're easy to grow, don't need much space, and provide fresh flavors all season long.

For best results:

• Use containers at least 6 inches deep
• Plant in All-Purpose Soil Mix
• Feed with Plant Juice every 3-4 weeks
• Harvest regularly to encourage bushier growth

8. Green Onions

Green onions (scallions) are perfect for containers and can even be regrown from store-bought ones! Just plant the white root end with a bit of green attached, and they'll regrow multiple times.

For best results:

• Use containers at least 6 inches deep
• Plant in All-Purpose Soil Mix with a bit of Worm Castings
• Feed with Plant Juice every 3 weeks
• Harvest outer stalks first, leaving centers to continue growing

9. Eggplant

Eggplants aren't just beautiful to look at—they're also perfectly suited for container growing, especially the smaller Asian varieties.

For best results:

• Choose a 5-gallon container
• Mix in 20% Bloomin' Soil with your potting mix
• Place in a hot, sunny location
• Feed with Bloom Juice every 2 weeks once flowers appear

10. Carrots (Short Varieties)

While long carrot varieties need deep soil, shorter types like 'Paris Market' or 'Thumbelina' grow beautifully in containers.

For best results:

• Use containers at least 8-12 inches deep
• Fill with loose, stone-free All-Purpose Soil Mix
• Feed with Plant Juice every 2-3 weeks
• Thin seedlings to allow proper root development

The Secret to Container Gardening Success: Living Soil

The most important factor in successful container gardening is creating a living, biologically active soil environment. Unlike traditional fertilizers that kill the soil microbiome, Elm Dirt products focus on building up beneficial bacteria and fungi that form a secondary root system.

This "Avatar Effect" (as we like to call it) creates interconnected plants, fungi, and bacteria all living together and protecting each other. When you have a true living soil everything is interconnected. Plants, fungi, and bacteria are all living together and protecting each other creating a stronger ecosystem.

Our Ancient Soil contains premium organic worm castings along with four bio-active soil enhancers:

• Organic Worm Castings (soil probiotics) - To replenish the living microorganisms in your soil and give your plants an endless salad bar of nutrients to feed on
• Sea Kelp (The Organic Multivitamin) - This contains over 70 critical vitamins and minerals, increases the size and storage life of vegetables, reinvigorates plants (especially indoor plants), and makes plants more resistant to a wide variety of diseases, pests, and weather conditions
• BioChar (The Yield Maximizer) - Which increases soil moisture, absorbs nitrogen runoff, helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%, lowers soil acidity, and increases yield
• Bat Guano (The Green Multiplier) - This transforms plant leaves into the perfect shade of green, encourages rapid seedling and flower growth, drip feeds root systems, and lasts for up to 3 months
• Azomite (The Volcanic Recharge) - This awakens healthy soil microbes, improves aeration or water penetration, remineralizes depleted soil, skyrockets plant vigor, and boosts crop yield

Watering Tips for Container Gardens

Container gardens dry out faster than in-ground beds, so proper watering is critical. Here are some tips:

• Check soil moisture by sticking your finger 1-2 inches into the soil
• Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom holes
• Use less water and water less frequently with our living soil mixes
• Consider self-watering containers for consistent moisture
• Apply mulch on top to reduce evaporation