The spring months in the garden seem to go by in a blur of preparation, sowing, planting and excitement for the season ahead.
Then, before you know it, here we are, summer is peeking her glorious head around the door. If you were hoping to add some delicious and healthy edible crops to your space this year, you may think you’ve missed the window of opportunity, but I am here to tell you there is still time!
And what’s more, you don’t need acres of space to enjoy generous harvests to grace your kitchen table – there are plenty of crops you can get out of the starting gates now, in pots! Here are some favourite vegetables you can grow in pots right now.
1. Short rooted carrots
These sweet little roots are an amazing choice for small space growers, as garden writer Kim Stoddart explains: 'Carrots are a great crop to grow in smaller spaced containers, as raised off the ground, this can help prevent issues with pesky carrot fly.'
You do need deep containers so the roots have room to grow. Container-grown carrots can be better quality, shape-wise, as well, because in the soil, roots can become distorted in shape through the ground stones.
In terms of which variety to grow, some are quicker growing than others (often with the word 'speedy' in the seed description). Baby carrots will be available, of course, quicker and shorter varieties tend to be faster-growing as well. It’s also down to weather and watering, and a perfect excuse to try a few different varieties to compare and contrast this summer. Enjoy!
Where to buy short-rooted carrots:
- Thompson & Morgan: 'Paris Market – Atlas' is a variety that offers delicious, bite-sized roots
- Suttons: ‘Rondo’ is perfect for pots, and has a wonderful, sweet flavour
2. Dwarf French beans
Emma O’Neill from Garden Organic says, 'Dwarf French beans are the perfect vegetable to grow in containers, providing fresh produce throughout the summer months.'
'A few things to consider before growing: you'll need a pot with a depth of at least 30cm and approximately 45cm wide. Ensure there are plenty of drainage holes, and it’s a good idea to put some crocks or grit at the bottom to aid drainage. Dwarf French beans thrive best in full sun and require regular watering. It’s best to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.'
'Watering is particularly important during flowering time, when the plant will be producing pods. Always choose a good quality peat-free, organic compost that will have sufficient food. If necessary, you can feed weekly with a high potash solution. Although these plants only grow to about 45cm in height, I like to put in some twiggy material to help with support, as they can become top-heavy. To protect the plants from slugs and snails, we use copper tape and grit or shells around the top of the pot. Finally, remember the more you harvest, the more you'll get!”
Where to buy dwarf French beans:
- Dobies: ‘Mascotte’ is a fantastic choice for container growing, producing fine, stringless pods
- Thompson & Morgan: ‘Quartz’ is a generous variety, offering high yields and able to cope with warm summers
3. Salad leaves
June is an excellent month for growing salad leaves, and these crops make it easy to enjoy fresh, homegrown harvests even in the smallest of gardens, balconies or patios.
Fast-growing salad crops such as lettuce, rocket, mizuna, mustard greens and cut-and-come-again leaf mixes thrive in containers, and can provide a continuous supply throughout summer to keep you in delicious lunches and dinners during the warm weather.
Choose a pot, trough or window box with good drainage – this all-in-one trough from Crocus is a fab choice – and fill it with a quality peat-free compost, like Miracle-Gro's premium all-purpose compost. Position containers in a sunny spot (though some light afternoon shade can help prevent leaves from bolting during hot weather).
Sow seeds little and often – every two to three weeks – to ensure a steady supply of tender leaves (known as successional sowing). Keep the compost consistently moist, as containers dry out more quickly than garden soil. Harvest leaves when they are young and tender.
Where to buy salad seeds:
- Suttons: ‘French Mix’ is perfect for growing on windowsills and is delicious and goodness-packed
- Dobies: ‘Salad Leaf Asian Leaves’ are part of the organic range and Dobies, so great if you are trying to up your organic credentials
4. Radishes
Fast-growing and easy to care for, radishes can produce a crop in as little as four weeks, providing quick rewards for gardeners of all experience levels. Choose a container that is at least 15cm deep and fill it with a good-quality, peat-free compost – this Westland one from B&Q is a great option. Sow seeds thinly in shallow drills, spacing them a few centimetres apart to give roots room to develop. Water gently after sowing and keep the compost consistently moist. Irregular watering can cause roots to become woody or split.
For the best results, position containers in a sunny spot. To ensure a continuous harvest, sow small batches of seed every couple of weeks throughout June rather than planting everything at once.
Harvest radishes as soon as they reach a usable size, as leaving them in the compost for too long can impact quality. Regular sowing, careful watering and timely harvesting will help you enjoy crisp, flavourful radishes throughout the summer – and beyond if you add winter types, too!
Where to buy radishes:
- Crocus: ‘Mixed’ gives you a wonderful selection of colourful radishes – quick growing and fab for beginners
- B&Q: ‘Saxa 2’ has a vibrant colour and flavour, packing a real punch even in the smallest spaces
5. Swiss Chard
This productive leafy vegetable is easy to cultivate, attractive to look at, and provides a long harvest season.
Choose a container that is at least 30cm deep – something like these pots from Dunelm are reasonably priced and would fit into any space. Fill it with a good-quality peat-free compost and pop it in a sunny spot. Swiss chard grows best in moisture-retentive soil, so regular watering is important.
Sow seeds thinly, about 2cm deep, and thin seedlings once they are large enough to handle. Alternatively, young plants can be transplanted into additional containers. Applying a balanced liquid feed (an organic type, such as Westland organic vegetable feed from Amazon, does the job) every couple of weeks can help support healthy growth.
Harvest leaves little and often by removing the outer stems first, allowing the centre of the plant to continue producing fresh growth.
Where to buy Swiss chard:
- Thompson & Morgan: ‘Bright Lights’ is beautifully ornamental as well as a reliable cropper
- B&Q: ‘Celebration 1’ is a great choice for growing in containers on a patio, and looks and tastes great
6. Spring onions
These easy-to-grow onions take up very little room and provide a steady harvest. To get started, fill a container with good-quality peat-free compost and place it in a position that gets a decent amount of sun throughout the day.
Spring onion seeds can be sown thinly in shallow drills, with rows spaced a few centimetres apart to allow the plants to grow on. Keep the compost moist, but avoid waterlogging.
Removing weeds and ensuring good airflow around the plants can help maintain healthy growth. Spring onions generally need little feeding when grown in fresh compost, although a balanced liquid feed can be applied if growth appears slow. They are usually ready to harvest within eight to 12 weeks, depending on the variety, so they are another speedy option, perfect for the impatient growers among us!
Where to buy spring onions:
- Thompson & Morgan: ‘White Lisbon’ is a popular variety thanks to its reliability and punchy flavour
- Marshalls Garden: ‘Ishikura’ can be harvested young or left to mature and has a tasty, mild flavour
7. Herbs
Container herbs make it easy to enjoy a bounty of fresh flavours even in the smallest spots. Many herbs (including basil, parsley, chives, coriander and mint) thrive in pots and can be placed close to the kitchen for convenient harvesting as you cook.
Most herbs prefer a sunny position, receiving at least six hours of sunlight each day, although parsley and mint will tolerate some light shade. Aim to keep the compost evenly moist, as with the other crops.
Harvest little and often to encourage bushy growth. Pinching out the growing tips of basil and other leafy herbs can help prevent premature flowering and promote more leaves – meaning more harvests! Mint is best grown in its own pot, as it can spread and overwhelm neighbouring plants.
Where to buy herbs:
- B&Q: Herb ‘Mixed Collection’ allows you to grow a selection of fragrant leaves
- Dobies: ‘Mint’ is a firm favourite of many growers – and benefits from the restriction of a pot!
There you have it! Whether you've got a spacious garden or just a sunny patio or balcony to grow veg, these fast-growing varieties prove you don't need much room to enjoy a homegrown harvest this season.