Feel like having your own fresh vegetables? No need for a large garden, certain vegetables can easily grow in containers on a balcony. Simply find the right container, place under the sun or shade, depending on the plant, and select the vegetable you would like to grow.
To help you start your plantations, consult the following blog. Urban gardeners
Leafy Vegetables
Arugula
loves the heat and is a no-fuss type of plant.Put in a medium size container in full sun. Select "Bellezia" for leaves with a strong aroma and a subtle peanutty taste or try the " Wasabi", spicy, but tender or " cultivated arugula " " arugula cultivated-type", not too spicy but with a peppery taste. Good tolerance to bolting.Select large leaves to make curries and young leaves for salads.
Lettuce
Because lettuce grows very fast, you can harvest often during the season. Generally sown in spring, but beware it does not tolerate frost. Depending on the area where you are, wait for the right moment to sow. Germination will be faster and more uniform if temperatures are between 10 º C and 15 º C. The best container would be shallow but large.
Kale
Kale is ideal for out of container culture. Sixty (60) days to maturity. Will grow faster in cool temperature. Harvest young leaves all at one time or let them grow and pick leaves when needed.
Oriental Vegetables (Pak Choï)
Pak Choï
is perfectly adapted to growing in a container. It does not require much sun, a daily 3-hour morning sun is enough. Use natural fertilizer regularly and keep the soil humid.
Spinach
If you are a spinach lover, do not hesitate to grow them, its container easy. Spinach can grow in any type of container as long as it is in a shaded area. Select a wide rather than deep container.
Summer Cabbage
Summer cabbage is an alternative to spinach and tolerates well growing in a container. You will start harvesting in approximately 2 ½ months, but meanwhile you can take advantage of young and tender leaves.
Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is better suited than kale for hot regions, but it can easily be grown in a container in cooler regions, it must however be well exposed. No need for very deep container, but you will need about 15 cm space between each plant. For a continuous harvest, start by removing the exterior leaves and continue picking when needed. Rich in vitamins, Swiss chard reminds of spinach in appearance and taste.
Root Vegetables
Carrots
Carrots enjoy moderate temperatures and regular watering keeping the roots moist. Grow in a container of at least 20 cm in depth in a sandy soil. Select Nantes or mini types of carrots.
Garlic, French Shallot and Onion
Garlic needs a deep container of at least 20 cm and large enough to leave 15 cm between each bulb.
The onion and French shallot need a soil rich in nutrients and fertilizers to grow well. It is recommended to place a good covering of compost on the soil before you transplant in a container or in the ground. You must avoid watering at least 20 days before you harvest.
Transplant approximately 2,5 cm deep, roots downward. Pile the soil by tapping all around. Space 3 to 4 cm from each other to allow for a good growing space. Water and expose to sun.
Potatoes
Cultivate potatoes in a basket, a bag, a tower, a potato planter, a barrel or even a waste bin. Growing them in limited spaces will reduce weeds and exposure to parasites and to mushrooms. Sowing each year at the same place is easy, you simply need to clean the container with a bit of bleach or vinegar.
To know ‘’how to’’ consult our blog on potatoes and our first potato from seed.
Radishes
Radishes are great, easy and fast. Use containers of at least 15 cm in depth and large enough to leave 2.5 to 5 cm space between each plant, harvest in approximately 3 weeks.
Fruit-type Vegetables
Cucumbers and pickling cucumbers
Cucumbers are water greedy and require regular waterings. They require a large container and a lot of sun. Two months after sowing you will harvest your first fruits, approximately six (6) per feet.
Eggplants
Growing eggplants is quite easy, even in a container. They prefer heat during the day and also at night. Transplant eggplants in large and dark containers, expose under full sun, water regularly and add natural fertilizer.
We suggest you try out the Hyb. Patio Baby Patio Collection, a unique variety with a compact habit and fewer thorns that will produce early miniature fruits that can be harvested for a long period.
Grown cherry
The grown cherry needs a deep container and at least 6 to 8 hours of full and direct sun each day. They require a constant humidity, but without watering too much, which would reduce fruit flavour. Cultivate them in a warm and sunny area. Soil must be well prepared by adding a lot of manure or compost, at least 30 cm deep. Also add an all purpose fertilizer before planting. Little Lantern is a compact grown cherry variety, perfect for containers. The small fruits (11 à 14 mm) hold well on well-branched stems, short internodes space for a sweet and abundant harvest.
Pole and Bush Beans
Pole beans grow very well and are quite easy to care for. Pole beans require a teepee type installation or a wooden wall mesh. They will easily and quickly swirl around it. Beans need sun and require a container of at least 30 cm in depth (more, if possible) with a wooden mesh to help grow and climb. They particularly crave nitrogen rich soils; do not hesitate to companion with cabbage or kale. For bush beans, you can easily plant in a window box container.
Strawberries
Strawberries are easy to grow and need a lot of sun. Once sown, it will give beautiful fruits each year without much fuss. A good idea is to alternate plantations between early and late varieties.
Sweet Peas
Sweet peas require a container or window box container of 15 cm in depth. Snap peas will need a container of at least 20 cm deep with a teepee type installation to help them develop and climb. Sweet peas do not require much care, they are quite easy to handle. Keep under the sun and water regularly, keeping the soil moist.
Sweet and Hot Peppers
Sweet and hot peppers will give you a very good return if sown in a container and do not require much space. They only need a lot of sun and heat. A 30 cm container, soil with fertilizer when transplanting and it’s about all. Harvest as early as July.
Tomatoes
With no doubt, tomatoes have the best return. They grow well in containers. They need at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun each day and a container adapted to the variety you want to grow. For a first try, select cherry or small size tomatoes. "Red Pear" or "Yellow Pear" will produce an impressive yield.
Zucchinis
Zucchinis are easy to grow in containers and are easy to care. It will give generous and abundant fruits if kept under direct sun. Priviledge a non Manhunter variety like Hyb. Easy Pick Gold II Col. patio or Hyb. Easy Pick Vert Collection Patio and with small fruits such as Hyb. Sunny Delight (scallop), Hyb. One Ball or Hyb. Eight Ball.
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