I have spent the last couple of years researching containers and vegetable varieties that would work well for container vegetable growing on your patio, deck, or whatever convenient location you would like. Much research went into finding Grow Tubs. From a plant perspective, I have not found any other container that allows plants to thrive as well as they do. The fact that you can’t overwater and with air movement allowed into the root zone helps create very impressive plants and harvests.
Once the Grow Tubs were chosen as the best container type, I spent the rest of my time (and currently am still researching) vegetables that are best suited to be grown in a container (Grow Tub) on a patio. My criteria has been for harvested fruit to be the same size as those you would get if you grew them in a regular garden or bought them at your favorite farmer’s market. They also have to taste great! And not only taste great, but are exceptionally nutritious.
I am also always looking for vegetables that are easy to grow with minimal insect pests and disease (the neat thing about patio container growing is that each pot is like an island that you can manipulate its micro-environment. If it is too hot out, you can move the container in the shade for the afternoon for example. Because of this flexibility, pests are seldom an issue). The last trait of the container vegetables I am looking for is the plant should be attractive. In most cases, all of the container vegetables provide interesting and attractive vegetation on your patio or deck; especially when different coloured fruits are almost ready to pick. The following list of Container Vegetables will provide you and your family a summer full of vegetables. There is nothing better than stepping out on your patio to pull off a tomato, to make a salad with for dinner; or cut up a super sweet melon right at your table for desert. Please enjoy!
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Nutramato Starburst Tomato-Great choice for containers! Compact plant habit makes it the perfect size for containers, while the golden fruit splashed with indigo is absolutely mouthwatering in salads, kabobs or as a snack. High in antioxidants and vitamins A and E. These 1 1/2- to 2-ounce fruits have little to no pest pressure, ensuring prolific growth and heavy yields. Determinate. 70-80 days to maturity. |
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Compact Sunflower Mix– Compact, yellow-orange sunflowers are a breathtaking sight in patio containers or in the garden. Only grows 18 to 24 inches tall, these organic sunflowers make a beautiful sunny accent. Sunflower plants provide food for beneficial insects including honey bees and butterflies! For a nutritious snack, harvest the seeds and roast with the seasoning of your choice—or leave on the flower head as a tasty treat for birds! Sturdy plants are pest and disease resistant. 55 days to maturity. |
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Organic Olympus Sweet Pepper– A large, blocky sweet pepper which can grow to 4″ wide. This is a very productive pepper on a nice medium sized plant, great for containers, raised beds or small gardens. The fruit has very good flavour. 65-85 days to maturity. |
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Pot Black Eggplant– This vitamin-rich plant is perfect at any size — ping-pong or tennis ball sized! As these plants grow, some staking may be necessary to support this antioxidant-rich treat. 58-62 days to maturity. |
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Husky Red Tomato– Husky Red’s dwarf plant habit and beautiful rugose foliage make it perfect for container gardening. They are an indeterminate tomato with determinate like plant growth, giving large productive fruits for the entire summer on a compact, dwarf plant. They can grow in a small garden space like a raised bed as well. Fruits are typically 5 to 7 oz in size. Reaches full maturity in 65 days. |
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Utopia Sweet Corn– Enjoy up to a dozen cobs of corn in an easy to keep container. Utopia was selected because of its short height, strong stalks, attractive appearance in a container and ability to produce excellent large ear’s (up to 8 1/2 inches) with a fruity taste. Sweet corn is very healthy with phytonutrients such as phenolics which work as a powerful antioxidant. Matures in approximately 77 days. |
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Organic Honeynut Winter Squash– Honeynut produces mini butternut squash with a sweet and rich flavored deep orange flesh. The rind starts as a dark green, turns tan and then a rich burnt orange color at full maturity. Honeynut typically produces 5″ fruit that weigh from 1 – 1 1/2 lbs. The vines are compact which makes this a great squash to grow in containers. Honeynut will provide an excellent winter meal directly from your patio. Has good resistance to Powdery Mildew. Winter Squash is a source of vitamins A and C as well as potassium, dietary fiber, and manganese. 110 days to maturity. |
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Patio Snacker Cucumber– Crunchy, flavorful and low calorie, these cucumbers can be easily grown in patio containers. The vine stays well contained for container growing. Cucumber vines produce 7″ long by 2″ wide fruits all summer long. 54 days to maturity. |