Edible Container Gardens

Updated on May 28, 2011
L.A. asks from Kew Gardens, NY
5 answers

Ladies -

Our outdoor space is limited to a balcony. Nonetheless, I thought with baby quickoy etting mobile, the best bet, in terms of plants are edible ones. Are there any leaf lettuce, spinach, or other such plants you would recommend?

We don't have green thumbs. We live in NYC, in case that helps with the "zones" and planting time info.

Any good webpages you would recommend?

I'm kind of inspired by M. Obama's edible lawn concept.

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E.S.

answers from Asheville on

leaf lettuce does best IMO and it likes it a little cool so you may want to do it very soon. It can also take a little shade in the hot part of the day. It's roots are not thick or go deep so it doesn't need a really deep container. Radishes grow quickly and don't need much space or depth. Beans and cucumbers both come in 'bush' type that don't need trellising. Peppers and tomatoes do well but need deeper pots and lots of water. I have never put squash or zucchini in a pot, but I bet they would look great if you have the room for a bushy large plant.
Herbs also do extremely well in containers and love to be cut and trimmed for use. They just keep on growing and producing. Some of my fav. culinary herbs are basil, chives, parsley, cilantro, rosemary, oregano, and mints The first four are annuals and the parsley and cilantro often reseed. The others are perenials and usually do well if kept inside for the winter. The oregano and mints 'trail' like a hanging plant and do well in hanging baskets. I like them with either parsley or impatients in the middle of the pot and the trailing herbs around the edge so they hang down. (also nice in a window or balcony box on the railing)
Pansies and mini violets like 'johny-jump-ups' are edible and pretty too. (they also are good for strengthening capillary walls, therefore helping or preventing spider veins)
One neat thing to remember: If it tastes good together it grows well togeter. Companion gardening is awesome. For example; if you are growing tomatoes, grow basil around them. They taste good together and the basil and tomatoe naturally ward off things and critters that like to eat the other. Cool huh?

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A.W.

answers from Kalamazoo on

You can do anything in containers........
Tomato plant in a 5 gal bucket.
Lettuce, herbs, radishes etc in smaller containers.
You could even do peas or beans in a container and then let them trellis on the balcony rail!

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

LOL! I thought you meant edible pots!

What about some herbs? Basil, oregano...and mint grows like a weed!

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R.Y.

answers from New York on

I have herbs in a window box which was on the railing at our first apartment. Basil is my favorite but oregano,rosemary, thyme, sage, parsley and dill are all good. You might want to be careful about tomatoes because I think the leaves and stems are possibly poisonous (check first). Maybe one of the hanging tomato things could work though.

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A.H.

answers from Seattle on

I have limited balcony space as well and decided to do a container garden project with my 2yr old son. I have never grown anything before. But, so far everything is coming up. I have planted peas, carrots, lettuce, herbs, potatoes and strawberries. The book I found that was most useful was called "Sugarsnaps and Strawberries" by Andrea Bellamy It will give you all the info you need to start a container garden.

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