8 Ideas for Growing Food in Containers

Living in a small space or a home with a small outdoor area does not mean that you have to forego the joy of growing some of your food.

Whether it is a few herbs in pots on your windowsill or pounds of potatoes in buckets all over your porch, there is something for everyone to get stuck into with container gardening.

Check out this collection of OGP articles that share ideas for growing all kinds of edible and medicinal foods in pots, buckets, baskets, and even old boots!

1. Container Gardening 101

It’s the up-and-coming, makes-perfect-sense, new trend of the times: growing your food. And, while many of us would like to do so, we feel deterred by a lack of space, the absence of a yard, and the need for know-how. Well, to those folks, today is the day to remedy this situation and get yourself hip to the gardening scene. There are all sorts of planters, from the ubiquitous terracotta pot to old toilet bowls, in which to grow edible plants. Check out this ultimate guide for tips on how to Start Small When Growing Your Own Food: Container Gardening 101.

2. Potatoes in a Bucket

Potato buckets are a great project, both for kids and for curious adults. They don’t require much energy on the part of the grower or the planet, and in the end, there will be a nice pot of soup (or several) to eat. Or, maybe a week of roasted potatoes, some potato salad, home fries … it’s not difficult to put potatoes on the menu. Anyone with a bucket and a bit of oomph about them should continue reading to learn How to Grow Potatoes in a Bucket.

3. Root Vegetables 

Tomatoes, salad greens, and peppers all do well in containers on your porch. This is great for those who don’t have a ton of space in the yard for a veggie patch, or maybe no yard at all. However, if you have some big enough containers, you can get into the root vegetable business, too. There are a few things to consider before you steam ahead, so check these tips on how to grow yourself a crop of root vegetables right there on your porch or balcony. Check out this list of the Best Root Vegetables for Container Gardens.

4. Medicinal Herbs 

Growing plants in containers means that not only do you have the plants close at hand when you want to harvest them, but you can also enjoy their beauty, the aromas that are released when they are passed by, or the insect-repelling properties that many medicinal plants have. You could opt for several different pots, each containing a separate plant, or you could fill a window box or hanging basket with a mix of complementary herbs.  Even think about recycling old containers to make quirky plant homes. Check out these 5 Medicinal Herbs to Grow in Pots.

5. Hanging Baskets

There are lots of edible plants that do very well in hanging baskets. Again, they are great if you don’t have room for a veggie patch, and they help to keep your precious food out of the way of garden pests. Hanging baskets filled with edible plants needn’t be devoid of color or texture. Lots of edibles produce stunning flowers, colorful fruits, and interesting foliage. Here is a list of a few plants that will thrive in hanging baskets and provide you with some goodies for your kitchen. Take a look at these 5 Edible Plants for Hanging Baskets.

6. Patio Garden

We don’t all have an expansive garden space at our disposal, so converting tiny spaces into productive and enjoyable gardens is key. The idea isn’t only that the garden grows food, but that it is also a place to spend time, enjoy a bit of greenery wherever that balcony may be, and use our spaces wisely and frequently as opposed to forgetting them. How many balconies or patios turn into empty spaces with a set of garden furniture? Some plant life is the perfect thing to draw you out of the house, with reason. Read on to learn How to Make Your Patio (or Balcony) an Abundant Source of Food.

7. Windowsill Garden

Who says that you need tons of space to grow your food? With a little know-how, you can grow many things in a confined or small space like city apartments, college dorms, and suburban kitchens. You can use an easily accessible windowsill as a starter garden. It’ll keep you aware of what’s going on and act as a constant reminder of when to water, prune, and use. Take a look at these 7 Edible Plants You Can Grow on Your Windowsill.

8. Vertical Veggies

The days of needing a large plot of land to be productive are over. New ideas have come up, and gardening has become all about the vertical. A DIY vertical garden can be quite simple and look beautiful. Vertical gardening is a great way to gain larger harvests in smaller spaces. Thirty years ago people might have seen a few square yards of garden as almost not worth the bother, but these days people are learning to stack their veggies, to take advantage of the fence, the wall, the posts, and even ceilings as valuable space for the opportunistic home food producer. Here are 5 Designs for Growing Veggies Vertically.

Related Content:

• All About Growing Citrus in Containers
• 6 Best Vegetables to Grow in Containers
• Start Small When Growing Your Own Food: Container Gardening 101
• 7 Vegetables That Are Tough to Grow and May Be Better Left to the Pros
• Best Root Vegetables for Container Gardens

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