By planting vegetables in containers, you can grow your kitchen garden almost anywhere. Start by looking for places you might squeeze in a container to two. You can plant in almost anything that holds soil, however, as a general rule, the larger and deeper the container, the better the yields. While you can grow small bush-type tomatoes in smaller containers or hanging baskets, the larger varieties require up to 20 gallons (3 cubic feet) of soil to produce a good crop. If containers are the only way you have to garden, I suggest you use the largest containers possible.
Eight Easy Steps
Follow these steps for planting your container vegetable garden.
- Select an attractive container with drainage holes. If the container you select doesn’t have holes, then drill them by putting masking tape over the spot where you intend to drill (this helps prevent breakage).
- Add commercial potting soil to within an inch of the top of the container. These can be purchased at your local nursery or order through the seed catalogs (see Seed Source)
- Moisten the soil before planting.
- You can plant both herbs and vegetables in the same container. When you plant them together, you can crowd them a little bit. An 18-inch pot, for instance, will easily hold as many as ten herbs.
- If you are planting several vegetables and herbs together in the same container, set the taller varieties in the center.
- Water to settle the soil around the roots.
- Add more soil if it’s needed after watering.
- Keep the container moist and fertilized.
Container Soil Mixes
Container soil is a combination of organic materials (bark, compost, peat moss) and minerals. Any container mix must also provide the right nutrients for vegetable growth and enough air space (despite compacting) to allow good air and water movement. You can also grow vegetables in the commercial soilless mixes (such as Supersoil) since many of them contain all the ingredients necessary for good plant growth. There are also organic mixes available.
Planting Seeds and Seedlings in Containers
When planting seeds in a container, you don’t have to space them any particular distance apart. Simply scatter the seeds across the entire container. Later, however, you will have to thin the seedlings. Carrots, for instance, are thinned first to 3/4 of an inch apart, then to 1 to 2 inches apart. You can throw the small carrots you’re thinning into a soup or stew, and you won’t feel as if you’re wasting anything. 8-inch containers of carrots planted on a 1-inch spacing will produce the equivalent of a 5-foot row grown in a outdoor garden.
If you plant young seedlings in outdoor containers, you should get them used to outdoor conditions by taking them out in the morning and back inside at night. Gradually expose the seedlings to low temperatures and more sunlight for about two weeks or until you can leave them out without damage from frost. If you buy seedlings from a nursery, they’ve already taken the above steps so you’re ready to plant when you bring them home.
No-Mess Watering Techniques
Pots less than 8 inches in diameter should be watered from above with a 1-quart kitchen measuring cup. Another technique is to submerge the bottom half of the pot in a pail of water. When air bubbles stop coming up from the soil, let the pot drain. Large containers should be watered from above with either a plastic pail or a gentle stream from a hose, until the soil is completely saturated.
Don’t water again until the soil is dry to a depth of 1 inch. To find out how dry the soil is poke a finger into the soil. Or take some soil from this dept and rub it between your thumb and index finger. If it’s dry, water. If the soil is mud-coated or feels wet, it won’t need water for at least twenty-four hours.
You shouldn’t let your containers dry out since vegetables must grow rapidly to maturity. If the plant is over watered, the soil becomes waterlogged, forcing air from the soil and suffocating the plant. I suggest you connect your containers with a drip system, put the whole thing on an automatic timer, and water each container with an emitter.
You can also buy large self-watering pots. They come in a number of shapes and sizes. These contain a built-in reservoir that gets filled through a slot in the side of the pot. During warm, dry weather, you need to refill these reservoirs once or twice a week. You can also fertilize these pots by adding fish emulsion directly to the water. Dump the water when it turns brackish.
Vegetables Bred for Container Culture
Today there are many varieties of vegetables bred just for container culture. I’ve included as many of the varieties as I could find (see Seed Source). While you can use regular vegetables in containers you need to make sure the container is big enough to handle the mature plant. Below I’ve listed some good choices you might want to try. I’ve listed them under hybrids and heirlooms, the choice is up to you.
(see Basic Vegetable Culture)
ARTICHOKE
Artichoke is a perennial that keeps on giving from year to year. Give it a large planter to grow in. Can be a showy perennial in your flower bed.
Opera 100 days. Early purple hybrid variety for late summer to mid-fall harvest. 3-4″ diameter buds followed by 8-10 secondary buds that are 1 1/2-2 3/4″ in diameter. 2 1/2-3′ tall plant. Source: GOU JOH
Green Globe (OP) 88 days. Heirloom. Globular heads with thick and succulent scales. Hard to grow in most parts of New England. Source: ANN BAK COM GOU IRI TERR
BEANS
Plant bush beans 3 inches apart in containers. Plant pole beans 9 inches apart. (I’m only listing bush beans). Cover with 1 1/2 inches planting mix. Grow pole beans up a garden trellis attached to the back of a large container; or insert a 2 x 4″ post in a half whiskey barrel and grow beans up strings.
BEANS (Snap, bush)
Hybrid
Burpee’s Tenderpod 50 days. All American Selection Winner. 4 1/2-5 1/2″ long, stringless, round, deep-green tender pods. Source: BURP
Carson (PVP) 52 days. Slim, 5 1/2″ yellow pods with white seeds. Source: JOH
Heirloom
Blue Lake Bush (OP) 52 days. round, straight 6-8″ long pods. 15-18″ tall plant. Source: ANN SOU SHU THO
Bountiful (OP) 60-65 days. 6-7″ long, straight, brittle, stringless pods. 16″ tall plant. Source: BOU IRI SEE SEED SHU VER
Purple Queen (OP) 50-60 days. Purple flowers and purple stringless 5-6″ long pods that turn green when cooked. Disease resistant. Source: BOU BURG BURP JOHN TERR
BEANS (Italian, bush)
Hybrid
Capitino 55 days. 8″ long golden-yellow pods, Romano type. Pods turn yellow quite young on vigorous plants. Source: PAR
Navarro 53 days. 7″ medium green, very straight pods with white seeds. Plants set well in hot weather. Source: STO
Heirloom
Jade (OP) 60 days. 18-22″ upright plants. 5-7″ long, pencil-straight dark-green pods. Source: PAR TER
Roma II (OP) 59 days. 20″ tall plants produce large 6″. medium-green, smooth, flat beans. White seeded. Source: ANN BAK BURP GUR HAR JOHN PAR SHU SOU STO TER
Romano Gold (OP) 55-60 days. Taste of Romano-type bean. 20″ tall plants. 4-5″ long creamy yellow flat pods with white seeds. Source: TER
BEANS (French filet)
Hybrid
Dwarf French Bean Velour 55 days. Purple pods are 5-6″ long and less than 1/3″ in diameter. Compact bush plants. Source: PAR
Hildora 55 days. Yellow French filet bean. Stringless creamy yellow pods. Grows well in hot weather. Source: GOU
Heirloom
Denver (OP) 66 days. Upright, 17-18″ tall plants. Straight, slim, dark green, stringless, smooth 4-41/2″ long pods with white seeds. Source: TER
Masai 55 days. Dwarf, gourmet French filet bean. Excellent container variety. Straight, tender, green pods at the top of the little plant. Source: ANN
BEANS (Wax, bush)
Hybrid
Eureka 55 days. 12-15″ tall plants. 5-6″ full, straight, bright-yellow pods. Source: BURP
Gold Rush 53 days. Round, 5 3/4″ yellow pods with white seeds. Source: IRI STO
Heirloom
Golden Wax Improved 50 days. 4-5″ long, bright yellow stringless pods. 16-18″ tall plant with minimal spread. Source: GUR SHU
Pencil Pod Golden Wax 50-65 days. 15-20″ bush habit. Stringless 5-7″ pods. Good wax bean flavor. Source: SEED
BEANS (Lima, bush)
Hybrid
Burpee’s Best 75 days. Captures the classic flavor of Forhook bush limas but with bigger pods. 3-5 beans per pod. 12″ vine. Source: BURP
Heirloom
Henderson Bush )OP 72 days. Bushy 2′ plant. 3-4 small creamy white seeds per pod. Widely adapted. Use fresh, canned or frozen. Source: ANN COM SEED SHU SOU TERR
Jackson Wonder 66-75 days. 24″ tall plant. Flat, 6″ long large seeded pods. Seeds are light to dark brown. 3-5 seeds per pod. Use fresh or dried. Source: BAK SHU SOU TER
BEANS (Soybean, Edamame)
Hybrid
Owen (OP) 120 days. Dark soybean with hearty flavor. 2′ plant. Dark brown seeds. Source: SOU
Tohya 78 days. Plump, pale green pods average 3 seeds per pod. 2′ compact plant. Suitable for tofu. Source: JOH
Heirloom
Asmara (OP) 2′ determinate plant. Large seeded pods. Bred for taste, flavor and nutrition. Source: SOU
Black Jet (OP) 90-104 days. 24″ tall plant. Medium pods. Source: BOU JOH
Early Hakucho (OP) 75 days. Early dwarf variety. 12-14″ tall plant. Plants set fuzzy 1 1/2″ long bright green pods in thick clusters. 3-4 yellow-green beans per pod. Good variety for short season areas. Source: BAK BOU JOH SEED
BEANS (Fava)
Heirloom
Statissa (OP) 75 days. 24-28″ tall plant. Entire green pod may be eaten when young. Buff-colored seeds. Source: TER
BEETS
Stagger plantings in large containers. Plant in at least two sections, two to three weeks apart. Scatter beet seeds on a 2-in spacing over the entire container surface. Cover with 3/4 inch of soil and keep moist. When the beets reach 2 to 3 inches tall, thin to stand 3 inches apart.
BEETS
Hybrid
Albina Verendua 70 days. Ice white globe. Sweet flavor. Curled and wavy leaves. Source: THO
Boro 75 days. Midsize, uniform dark-red beets without a trace of zoning. 12″ high plants, 6-8″ wide. Great pickler. Source: NIC PAR
Eagle 54 days. Dark red interior, small roots. Excellent baby beet. Source: STO
Heirloom
Burpee’s Golden 55 days. Golden interior. 2″ diameter globes. Sweet and mild. Source: BURP GOU SEED SHU
Chioggia (OP) (Barabietola de Chioggia, Candystripe) 54 days. Italian heirloom. 2 1/2″ globe reveals rings of white alternating red. Beautiful. Source: ANN BAK BOU BURP COM COO GOU IRI NIC PAR SEED SOU TER TERR
Detroit Dark Red (OP) 58 days. Smooth round roots are 2 1/2-3″ in diameter. Source: ANN BAK BURP BURG COM HAR IRI NIC SEE SOU THO
BROCCOLI
Grow broccoli in 5 to 10 gallon containers, one plant per container.
BROCCOLI
Hybrid
Arcadia 70 days. 5″ wide heads. 2′ tall plant. tightly domed, purplish-green heads. Source: JOH STO TER
Belstar 66 days. 6-8″ wide heads. 16-20″ tall plant is 16″ wide. Source: JOH NIC PAR TER THO
Heirloom
Nutri Bud (OP) 30-50 days. 12-24″ tall plant. 4-6″ central heads with repeat side shoot production. Source: NIC SOU TERR
Romanesco (OP) 75-100 days. A unique-looking plant with spiraling apple-green 6″ across the head. My favorite. Source: BAK BOT BOU BURP COO SEED
CHINESE BROCCOLI (Kailaan)
Hybrid
Ryokuho 45-50 days. Vigorous growth and high yields. 16″ upright plants. Smooth dark green leaves have short petioles. Thick stems, heat tolerant and moderate bolt resistance. Use steamed, stir-fry and in soups. Source: KIT
Heirloom
Kailaan (OP) 60-70 days. Grown for its stalks and leaves. Deep green color and good flavor. Use in stir-fry, soups, sukiyaki and tempura. Source: KIT
BROCCOLI RABB (rapini)
Hybrid
Cima di Rapa 60 days. Known as ‘broccolett’ a delicious quick-sprouting with slightly spicy tasting leaves. Source: JOHN THO
Heirloom
Broccoletto (A Foglia di Olivo) 70 days. Olive leaf shaped. 14-15″ high, thick stem. Used for leaf production as well as for shoots. Source: ANN TERR
Zamboni (OP) 45 days. It resembles asparagus more than it does the large domed broccoli. Small, turnip-like leaves and long, tender stems topped with 1 inch flower bud clusters. 22″ tall plant. Excellent side shoot production. Source: STO TER
BRUSSELS SPROUTS
Plant one plant per 5 or 10 gallon container, transplanting as seedlings. As the plants mature, move all excess leaves, except those at the top.
BRUSSELS SPROUTS
Hybrid
Half Dwarf 120 days. French variety. Medium size on compact plants. Smooth sprouts have flavor improved with frost. Source: GOU
Heirloom
Long Island Improved (OP) (Catskill) 100 days. Medium green, 1-1 1/2″ round firm sprouts. 20″ tall plants. Source: ANN BAK BOT BOU BURG COM GOU IRI NIC SEED SHU SOU TERR
Rubine (OP) 85 days. 24″ tall plants produce 1-1 1/2″ purple red sprouts. Source: BOU TER
CABBAGE
Plant two cabbage plants per 3 to 5 gallon container. Remove the weakest plant in a few weeks, and allow the strongest to grow to maturity.
CABBAGE (round)
Hybrid
Gonzales 55-60 days. Softball-size, aqua-green heads are suited to tight compact plantings and small gardens. Source: JOH JOHN PAR
Parel 50 days. Short-season variety. Blue-green 6″, 1 1/2-2 pound head. Dutch variety. Excellent close planting cabbage. Source: TER
Heirloom
Primo (OP) 60-70 days. Compact ball-head. Source: BOU
CABBAGE (pointed head)
Heirloom
Winningstadt 85-95 days. Upright, compact plants with firm pointed 9″ heads. sheds rain and weather well. Source: BOU SEED
CABBAGE (red)
Hybrid
Primero 72 days. Dark red cabbage has compact, upright havit making it an excellent choise for small space gardens. Round, 2-3 pound heads. Source: JOHN TER
Red Acre 75 days. Compact plants are good in space saving gardens. Dark red, deep globe-shaped heads average 3 pounds. Source: PLA SHU
Heirloom
Red Express (OP) 2-4 pounds, oval, dark red heads bred for northern states. Source: IRI JOH SHU
CABBAGE (savoyed)
Hybrid
Express 55 days. A baby cabbage designed to be harvested no larger than 6″, at around 1 pound. Yellow-green exterior and buttery-yellow interior. Ideal for short growing season or in a container. Source: BURG JOHN
Heirloom
Testa de Ferro (Ironhead Savoy) 85 days. Prized Italian strain. 3 pound small heads. Light green color. Source: ANN GOU
CABBAGE (loose leaf)
Heirloom
Nero Di Toscana (Black Palm) 60 days. Beautiful deep blue-black leaves that can grow to 24″ long. Heavily savoyed leaves. Italian heirloom. Source: BAK
Tronchuda (OP) 85 days. Portuguese heirloom. Cut over and over again. Juicy crunch to the midribs and leaves. Source: BOU GOU NIC
CABBAGE (Chinese, head type-barrel heads, napa)
Hybrid
Soloist 40-50 days. Baby cabbage. Heat tolerant. 1 1/2-2 pounds, golden hearted, tender, sweet heads. Source: TER
Tenderheart 50 days. Miniature cabbage perfect for container garden or small space garden. Upright with crinkly light green leaves growing from a smooth white base. Compact 2 pound head. Source: KIT SOU TER
Wa Wa Tsai 60 days. Weighs 10-18 ounces. Baby cabbage great for small space gardens or containers. Set at 10-12″ apart. Source: PAR
Heirloom
Chirimen Hakusai 50 days. Loose-leaf type. Old Japanese variety. Crepe-textured light green leaves. 12″ tall plants. Sow in spring or fall. Source: KIT
CARROTS
Plant by scattering the seeds across the container surface, roughly 1 inch apart. Cover with about 1/2 inch of soil. After a few weeks, thin to 2 inches apart. In large containers, plant twice, ten days apart. Note that if the carrot tip touches the bottom of the pot, the carrot will not develop to full size; make sure your container is deep enough for the variety you intend to grow.
CARROTS
Hybrid
Amsterdam 2 57-69 days. Coreless variety. Gourmet carrot from Holland. Often grown as a baby carrot 3-4″ long or can left to grow 6-7″ long. Fine-grained, deep orange. Source: GOU
Lady Finger 60 days. 5″ long gourmet baby carrot, almost coreless. Source: PLA
Mokum 56 days. Can be used as a baby carrot or let grow to maturity at 6-8″ long. Deep orange roots. Dutch seed. Source: JOH TER
Short ‘n Sweet 68 days. 4″ long, petite and bright orange to the core. Source: BURP
Heirloom
Bambina 60 days. Baby carrot with slender, cylindrical blunt roots and very small core. Smooth skin. Deep orange. Adaptable to variety of soils. Good container variety. Source: TERR
Little Finger 55 days. Baby-type deep orange carrot. French variety. Sweet 3″ carrot. Good canner and pickler. Source: ANN BOT BAK GOU IRI PAR SHU TERR
Paris Market 50-68 days. Round, red-orange, 1-2″ long. Very sweet. Carrots can be grown in containers. Source: ANN GOU SEED
Thumbelina (OP) 60 days. All-American Selection Winner. Round, 1 1/2″ diameter, gourmet carrot with small core. Source: BURP NIC TER VER
CELERY
Plant two or three plants per 3 gallons of soil.
CELERY
Hybrid
Tall Utah Improved 90-120 days. 11″ slender, yet crisp stalks. Source: BURG
Heirloom
EA Special Strain (OP) 85 days. Tall Utah type with upright glossy bright green 12″ stalks. Slow to bolt. Source: BOU
Tall Utah 52-70R Improved (OP) 100-120 days. Dark green, 11-12″ stalks. Very compact plant. Bright green. Disease-resistant plants. Stringless. Source: BOT BURP TER
CELERY (cutting celery, leaf celery)
Heirloom
Safir (OP) 78+ days. Has abundant shoots of narrow 12-14″ narrow stems and dark leaves. Sources: NIC PAR
CELERY (Chinese)
Kintsai-Dark Green 30-50 days. Grows small dark green leaves with green aromatic stalks. Source: KIT
CORN SALAD (mache, lamb’s lettuce)
Hybrid
Medallion 49 days. European strain. Small leaf. Source: GOU JOH
Heirloom
Macholong (OP) 45 days. Bright green 5-7″ leaves. Cold hardy. Source: NIC
Verte D’ Etampes French heirloom. Deep green leaves. Small plant is fairly cold hardy. Source: BAK
CUCUMBERS
Plant two or three full-sized cucumbers in a container that holds at least 5 gallons. Cover seed with 1 inch of soil and keep moist. Bush varieties do well in 2 to 3 gallons of soil. Place a small trellis at the back of the container to support the bush vines.
CUCUMBERS (slicing)
Hybrid
Iznik 60 days. Gourmet cocktail cucumber. Thin skinned and very few seeds. Dual purpose cuke. Variety good for containers or small gardens. Source: COO GOU GUR TOT
Rocky 46 days. 2-3″ one bite baby cucumbers. Source: JOH TER TOT
Spacemaster 8058 days. Bitter-free slicer. 18-24″ plant produce slender 7-9″ cucumbers. Great variety for small gardens. Source: BURP IRI
Heirloom
Horace Boyette Burpless 60 days. All-purpose cucumber. Thin skin, 4-6″ long with very few seeds. Compact vines. Sources: BAK
Miniature White (OP) 50-55 days. 3″ long yellow-white, lightly spined, bitter-free cuke. Slightly compact habit. Great variety for small space gardens and containers. Source: SEED TER
Spacemaster (OP) 52-75 days. 2-3′ vine. 7 1/2″ long green cucumbers. Widely adapted and ideal for small gardens and containers. Source: BOT BURP NIC SHU SOU
EGGPLANT
Eggplant needs at least 5 to 10 gallons of soil per plant.
EGGPLANT
Hybrid
Bambino 52 days. 12″ tall plants. 1 1/2″ diameter round fruit. Source: NIC
Calliope 75 days. Baby 2″ oval, cream-streaked purple eggplant. Perfect for containers or small gardens. Source: JOH THO
Hansel 55 days. All American Selections Winner. Non-bitter. Tender, smooth and miniature in size. Begin picking at 2-3″ long and leave the rest until they reach 4-5″ long. 18″ tall plant. Source: HAR JOH
India Paint 18-20″ plant bear small 4″ neon purple and white streak eggplant. Good for containers and small space gardens. Source: COO
Ophelia 55 days. Oval, egg shaped, rich purple. Single serving size eggplant. Can be grown in containers or small gardens. Source: GOU GUR HAR
Heirloom
Black Beauty 73 days. Uniformly large-fruited eggplant, 1-3 pounds. Very deep purple-black. 18-24″ plant. Source: ANN BAK BOT BOU BURG BURP COM COO IRI GOU PAR SHU STO
Diamond 70 days. Fruits set in clusters of 4-6 on 2′ plant. 9 x 3″ dark purple eggplant that is rarely bitter. Source: ANN BAK SEED
Little Fingers 65 days. Small, purple-black fruits grow in clusters. Sturdy, compact plant. Blunt ended fruit. Source: BAK
EGGPLANT (Oriental)
Hybrid
Kyoto Egg 65 days. Japanese variety. Round 3″ diameter, deep purple-black fruit. Upright plant. Source: KIT
Thai Green (OP) (Thai Long Green) 70-80 days. Thai heirloom. Light-green, elongated 2 1/2 oz. fruits, 1 1/2 x 10″ long. 2′ plant. Source: BAK SEED SOU
GARLIC (softneck)
Hybrid
California White Large plump softneck creamy-white cloves. Spicy hot. Easy to grow and adaptable to any climate. Source: GUR SHU
Walla Walla Early Cold-hardy Italian purple garlic. Spicy pink to red cloves. Source: GUR
Heirloom
Italian Softneck Artichoke type. Produces large flavorful bulbs that store up to 10 months. Source: SOU
Mild French Silverskin (OP) Softneck that has 14 cloves per bulb. Does well in hot dry areas. Good braider and excellent keeper. Source: SOU
Nootka Rose Softneck silverskin heirloom. Strong flavor. 15-24 cloves per bulb. good braider. Source: IRI SOU
GARLIC (hardneck)
Hybrid
Bavarian Red Strong garlic flavor. Red-skinned cloves. Excellent stability in hard-winter regions. Stores 9 months. Source: TER
Deerfield Purple Individual cloves are covered in blush-tan skins with plumb stripes. From Vietnam and spicy. Source: TER
Early Italian Large cloves. Adapts to summer heat. Keeps up to 8 months. Source: BURP COO
Purple Glazer A vivid, royal purple tinged wrapper with shiny gold and/or silver hues. Strong lasting flavor, but not hot, and no aftertaste. Source: NIC TER
Heirloom
Appalachian Red (Racombole) Large, easy peel cloves, full bodied, moderately hot. Source: SOU
Brown Tempest (OP) The cloves are brown with a rose blush tint. 6 cloves per bulb. Excellent storer. Source: IRI SOU
Spanish Roja Has true garlic flavor. Source: BUR JOHN TER
LETTUCE
Plant head lettuce 10 inches apart, leaf lettuce 4 to 5 inches apart. With romaine or looseleaf lettuce you have a choice. If you expect to gradually pick the outer leaves over a period of time, plant them 6 inches apart. If you intend to harvest the entire plant at once, plant 4 inches apart. All lettuce seed should be covered with 1/4 to 1/2 inch of soil.
LETTUCE (crisphead/iceberg)
Hybrid
Mini Green Improved 80 days. Tennis ball size mini iceberg. Compact habit, dense head. Meal for one. Good variety for containers and small gardens. Source: THO
Heirloom
Great Lakes 75 days. Heirloom that adds crunch to your salads. Classic iceberg. Nice baby green too. Source: BOT
Summertime (OP) 70 days. Heat tolerant crisphead, never bitter and slow to bolt. Source: JOHN NIC SHU TER
LETTUCE (butterhead, bibb, buttercrunch, Boston)
Hybrid
Australe 49 days. Red butterhead for mini-head production. Small dense heads. Source: JOH
Bambi (PVP) 50 days. Dark green, smooth leaves, green bibb. Mini heads. Source: JOHN
Dancine 43 days. Baby butterhead. Small, dense, heads mature just bigger than a baseball. Source: JOH
Little Gem 50 days. Space-saver midget. 5″ heads are ideal for containers or limited-space gardens. Source: PAR
Heirloom
Brune D’ Hiver Compact, hardy French heirloom butterhead. Crunchy green leaves blushed in reddish brown color. Requires little space. Source: BAK
Buttercrunch (OP) (Butter King) 48-75 days. All American Selection Winner. Green leaves and a small tight head. Slow to bolt. Source: ANN BOT BOU BURG BURP COO GUR HAR IRI JOH NIC PAR SHU SOU STO TER TERR THO
Carmona (OP) 55-60 days. Tender red butterhead. 10-12″ mature heads. Source: NIC
Drunken Woman Frizzy Headed (OP) 55 days. Unique butterhead forms a savoyed head. 8″ plants have mint-green leaves tinged in mahogany red. Source: TER
Matina (OP) 53-73 days. Small butterhead for individual servings. Bright glossy green outer leaves. Source: JOHN NIC SEED TER
Sanguine Ameliore (Strawberry Cabbage) 60 days. 8″ diameter. Blood red speckles. 19th century French heirloom. Small butterhead with green leaves splashed in scarlet red. Source: COM SEED
LETTUCE (French crisp, Batavia, loose heads)
Hybrid
Cherokee (PVP) 48 days. Loose head. For mini-head or full-size production. Dark red leaves. Slow to bolt. Source: JOH
Heirloom
Emerald Oakleaf 45-60 days. Compact, jewel-green leaves that mature into a dense, buttery-hearted head. Source: JOHN
LETTUCE (Romaine/cos)
Hybrid
Breen (PVP) 45 days. Compact red mini romaine. 8″ tall. Medium bronze red color. Source: JOHN
Little Caesar 70 days. Smaller heads are ideal for small space gardens and containers. Source: BURP
Tanton 65 days. Mini romaine 6-8″ tall, consistent upright heads. Good variety for containers or small gardens. Source: GOU
Heirloom
Dazzle (OP) 35 days. Ruby red, palm size mini romaine with well-filled heart. Source: TER THO
Little Gem (OP) 33-50 days. Heads are about 4″ across and 4-6″ tall. Miniature green romaine just right for small space gardens. Source: ANN BOT BAK BOU COO GOU IRI JOHN NIC TER
Petite Rouge (OP) 48 days. Oval-shaped baby romaine, cabernet colored leaves. Source: BAK TER
Rubens (OP) 50-60 days. A Lilliputian lettuce. Has rich burgundy outer leaves around a celadon-green heart. Hardy dwarf, should be harvested at about 8″ tall. Color deepens in cold weather. Source: JOHN
LETTUCE (loose leaf)
Hybrid
Bolsachica 28 days. Thick spooned leaves. Upright habit. Baby leaf. Source: JOH
Garrison 28 days. Fast growing baby lettuce. Medium-red leaves. Source: JOH
Verde Ricciolina 50 days. Italian lettuce, with small curled leaves ruffled at the edges. Source: GOU
Heirloom
Baby Oakleaf 47 days. Small, compact green oakleaf for mini heads. Oak-shaped leaves with rounded lobes. Holds for an extended period without bolting. Source: JOH
Chadwick’s Rodan Loose leaf heads are tinged bright red. Good variety for small gardens. Source: BAK
Oaky Red Splash (OP) 48 days. Grows somewhat upright to 8″. Deeply lobed leaves are not frilled on the margins. Source: TER
LETTUCE (mesclun, lettuce blends,micro greens)
Hybrid
All Purpose 7-10 days. Harvest when 3-4″, most are eggplant purple, some are green or green-purple. Source: KIT
Baby Leaf 25-40 days. Includes Arugula, Wrinkled Crinkled Crumpled Cress, Tres fine Maraichere Frisee Endive, Lolla Rossa, Tango lettuce, Red Salad Bowl, Oakleaf, Rouge Grenobloise and Little Gem Romaine. Source: JOHN
Burpee’s Microgreens Mix 30 days. Beets, broccoli, kohlrabi, Chinese cabbage and radish. Sow every 5-10 days and snip when 1-2″ high. Source: BURP
Chef’s Gourmet Spicy 21-45 days. Custom salad mixture of flavors, colors, flavors, and textures. Easy to grow baby greens. Source: BOT
Colored Romaine Blend 3 different colored romaine types that have been bred specifically for baby leaf. Source: HAR
Improved Master Chef Lettuce Blend 45 days. Blend of complementary flavors, textures and colors. Source: PAR
Heirloom
Mild Mesclun Blend (OP) 30 days. Improved Dwarf Siberian kale, Slobolt, Red Sails lettuces, Corn Salad, Mizuna and Tah Tsai mustards. Source: COO IRI STO TER
Mircrogreens Mix Oak leaf lettuce, Rouge d’ Hiver lettuce, Salad Bowl lettuce, Viroflay spinach, Rocket salat arugula, claytonia, chives and Vit corn salad (mache). Source: ANN
Pot & Patio Lettuce Blend (OP) 33-55 days. Tailored specifically for container gardens. 2 loose leaf lettuces, 1 romaine, 1 butterhead, Pom Pom, Merlot, Little Gem and Victoria. Source: TER
Spicy Mesclun Mix 20-50 days. Spicy blends of greens. Verte Mar, Sierra and Rouge Grenobloise lettuces, Verte de Cambrai Mache, Arugula, Red Giant, Kyona mustards, Tres fine endive and Ruby Red Swiss Chard. Source: IRI
Wild Garden Lettuce (OP) 50-70 days. Literally dozens of varieties, including selections of lettuce that remain unnamed and not available anywhere else other than this mix. Source: SOU TER
ONIONS
Seeds should be planted about 1 inch apart on top of the soil. cover with 1/4 inch of soil and keep moist. they will grow fine as green onions on 1 inch spacing.
ONIONS (bunching)
Hybrid
Evergreen Long White Bunching 120 days. Clusters of long, slender stalks with spring green ends. Source: BURP GOU GUR IRI SHU
Parade 60 days. Straight, dark green stems. High yielding and vigorous. Source: COO JOH PAR
Heirloom
Crimson Forest Bunching (OP) 70-90 days. Brilliant red stalks, flavorful and tasty. Very unique and colorful. Source: BAK
Evergreen Hardy White (OP) 60 days. Perennial onion in fall and spring. Forms long, slender onions with tender shoots. Divide clumps the second year to produce new crop. Source: ANN JOH NIC SOU
Red Baron (OP) 65 days. Bright red scallions, mild, delicious flavor. The color goes all the way to the green part of the stem. 12-15″ stalks. Source: COO NIC PAR
ONIONS (Oriental)
Hybrid
Gallop 60 days. Traditional Japanese non-bulbing type. Deep green, straight upright shafts are thick and very uniform. Medium branching. Excellent heat tolerance. Source: STO
Hardy White Bunching 70 days. Improved strain of He Shi Ko. Hardy, non-bulbing type, long, slim pure white stems. Source: STO
Heirloom
He Shi Ko Japanese heirloom. Perennial bunching onion. Stalks grow and divide from base. Non-bulbing white type. Source: ANN BAK TERR
Kyoto Kujo Negi 80 days. Splitting stalk type, non-bulbing Japanese green onion. 1880s heirloom. Tapers to a height of 24″, modulating in color from white to light green then dark green. Source: KIT
ONIONS (shallots)
Hybrid
Ambition 100 days. Uniform 2″ red-brown bulbs. Round shape and firm consistency. Source: JOH JOHN PAR
Conservor 110 days. Reddish-brown, single bulb shallots. High round shape suitable for long storage. Source: JOH
Heirloom
Grey Griselle (OP) 180 days. French heirloom. Small teardrop-shaped, 1 x 1 1/2″ bulbs have a hard, gray skin and tender, pinkish-white flesh. Mild flavor. Source: SOU
PEAS
Plant peas in 5 gallon or larger containers. Plant 2 inches apart, cover with 2 inches of soil, and keep moist. If you set up construction wire in a circle you can train peas up the wire.
PEAS
Hybrid
Ice Breaker 57 days. Very few leaves. Widely adapted. 16″ tall vine. Pods have 7-8 medium size peas in each pod. Source: SHU
Improved Laxton’s Progress 55 days. Dark green pods contain 7-9 large peas per pod. 4 1/2- 4 3/4″ pods. bushy, dwarf, 16″ plant. Source: STO
Peas-in-a-Pot 60-65 days. Custom bred for small containers and small space gardens. 10″ plant that can grow in an 8″ container. Source: BURP
Heirloom
Little Marvel (OP) 60 days. Bushy 18″ tall plant. 1908 heirloom. Heavy yields. Source: ANN BAK COM GUR HAR SHU SOU
Tom Thumb 50-55 days. English heirloom. 18″ tall plant is great for containers and small space gardens. Plants able to withstand hard frosts. Source: SEED
PEPPERS
Place one pepper plant to a 2 gallon or larger container.
PEPPERS (sweet, bell)
Hybrid
Big Dipper 73 days. Large, blocky fruits, 4 1/2 x 4 1/2″, 4 lobed. 24″ tall plant. Source: BURP
Block Party 63 days. Blocky 4 x 4″ bell. Thick walls. 2′ plant. Source: BURP
Charleston Belle 67 days. 18″ compact plant. 1/4 pound, 3 1/2 x 3″ pepper. Source: BOU
Cute Stuff Red 62 days. Mini green to red maturing bell pepper. Small pepper can be grown in containers. 3″ long by 2 1/2: wide fruit. Plant 1 a 3 gallon container. Source: HAR TOT
Heirloom
Albino Bullno Compact dwarf plants produce blocky 3-4″ peppers that are cream colored. Sweet, mild flavor, ripens to reddish-orange. Produces until frost. Source: BAK THE
Garden Sunshine 80-110 days. 16″ tall plant. Creamy yellow, 8″ bell-shaped peppers. Turns from yellow to orange then red. Best used when yellow or orange. Source: SEED
Napolean Sweet 70-90 days. 8″ elongated bells stand upright on 2′ tall plants. Ripens from green to red. Best used in green stage. 1923 heirloom. Source: SEED SOU TOT
PEPPERS (sweet, tapered)
Hybrid
Early Hungarian Sweet 55 days. Creamy white to red when mature. Large wax Hungarian sweet pepper. 2 1/2-3 1/2″ pepper. 14-18″ tall plant. Source: SOU
Sweet Pickle 65 days. 12-154″ tall plants are covered with dense clusters of thick-walled sweet 2″ tapered peppers. Yellow, orange, red and purple colors on the same plant. Source: PAR TOT
Heirloom
Buran 90 days. Polish heirloom. 2′ tall plant. 4″ long bells with 3 lobes. Green color. Source: SEED THE
Feherozon 55 days. 12-15″ tall plants. Large wax, Hungarian sweet pepper. 2 1/2 x 3 1/2″ fruits. 7 fruits per plant. Source: SOU
Garden Sunshine 100 days. 12-16″ tall plants. Creamy-yellow to orange to red. Best used at yellow or orange stage. Source: THE
PEPPERS (hot, chili)
Hybrid
Cajun Belle 60 days. All American Selection Winner. Mildly hot and can be grown in containers as well as the garden. 2 x 3″ peppers look like a bell pepper. Right combination of heat and sweetness. Source: STO
Centennial 110 days. Ornamental, tiny purple when nearly ripe, briefly white, then turns bright red. Edible at any stage. Compact plant with purple leaves. Source: THE
Dancing Spirits 2-3″ conical fruits mature in a rainbow of colors from pale banana yellow to orange to red, all appearing on the plant at the same time. Fiery hot. Compact plant. Source: COO GUR
Marbles 58 days. Masses of peppers in a rainbow of colors. 12-14″ tall plant. Bite-size medium hot, about 400 Scoville units of heat. Source: PAR
Heirloom
Aji Dulce 111 days. Venezuelan heirloom. Has same shape and color as Habanero peppers, but is sweet, spicy with a trace of heat. 1 x 2″ tapering at both stem and blossom end. 18″ high plant. Source: SOU
Bulgarian Carrot (OP) 65 days. 18″ tall plant. 3-4″ long, tapered, bright orange-yellow color. Fairly hot. Source: GOU PAR SEED TER THE TOT
Fish Pepper (OP) 80 days. An African-American heirloom. Used in fish and shellfish cookery. Colors range from green, orange, brown, white and red. Spicy and hot. 2″ long peppers. 2′ tall plants have white and green mottled leaves. Source: ANN BAK JOHN SEED SOU THE TOT
PEPPERS (Oriental, hot and sweet)
Hybrid
Birdseye Chili 69-80 days. From Sri-Lanka and is hot. 18″ compact plant. Smooth, tapered 1″ long very hot peppers. 55,000-80,000 Scoville units. Source: TOT
Santaka 65 days. Ornamental upright Japanese favorite for stir fries and soups. Good container plant. Source: BOT THE
Heirloom
Thai Red Chilli 90 days. Hot heirloom from from Thailand. Small, pointed fruit is easy to dry. Bright red. Pungent heat. 1-3″ long peppers. 16″ compact plant. Source: BAK KIT
RADISHES
You can easily grow radishes in just 4 to 8 inches of soil. Plant seeds 1 inch apart, then add 1/2 inch of soil on top.
RADISHES (round)
Hybrid
Cherriette 20 days. Crisp, round radishes without pithy interiors. Source: HAR JOH PAR STO
Rover 21 days. Can take the heat. Smooth, red, round root with white interior. Source: BURP JOH
Heirloom
Cherry Belle (OP) All American Selection. Round, bright cherry red roots with white flesh. Source: ANN BOT BOU BURP GOU GUR HAR NIC SHU SOU STO TER
Easter Egg (OP) 27 days. Round radishes in colors of pink, purple, white and red. Source: BOT BURG IRI JOH NIC PAR SOU TER TERR TOT
Purple Plum 28 days. Bright purple skin, white flesh. 1 1/2″ globes. Does not get pithy. Source: BAK BOU GOU JOHN IRI SEED
RADISHES (long)
Hybrid
Fire ‘n Ice 25 days. 3-4″ long, red top and white bottoms. Extra crisp texture. Source: BURP
Heirloom
French Breakfast (OP) (Radis Demi-long Rose a Bout Blanc) 25 days. 1873 heirloom. Mild, spicy flavor. Oval roots have red top and white tip. Source: ANN BAK BOT BOU COM GOU GUR HAR IRI JOHN NIC SEED SHU TER
SPINACH
Spinach can be grown in 4-inch and larger pots. Sow seeds about 2 inches apart. cover with 1/2 inch of soil. Thin seedlings in large containers to about 5 inches apart. Make at least two plantings ten days apart. Feed spinach with fish emulsion every second week according to the instructions on the bottle.
SPINACH (plain leaf)
Hybrid
Baby’s Leaf 30-40 days. Flat, semi-smooth leaves are sweet, tender and easy to clean. Very small stems. Source: BURP
Double Choice Smooth, dark green leaves. Perfect for baby spinach. Stays tender and mild when left to mature. Source: COO
Scarlet 44 days. Unique red vein, plain dark green leaves. Use as a baby spinach or add to mesclun salads. Source: STO
Heirloom
Amsterdam Prickly Seeded Grown by Thomas Jefferson in the early 19th century. Flat, tender, medium-green leaves with red tinged stalks. Slower to bolt. Source: BAK
Matador 60-70 days. Big, smooth leaves. Extremely bolt resistant for summer planting. Source: BOU GOU
SPINACH (savoyed, semi-savoyed leaf)
Hybrid
Harmony 42 days. Upright heavily ruffled and textured leaves. Slow to bolt. Source: BURP
Melody 42 days. All American Selection winner. Large, upright plant with big, thick, dark green ruffled leaves. Source: BURP
Tyee 37 days. Big, upright semi-savoyed leaves held well above ground. Bolt resistant. Source: BOT GUR HAR IRI JOH SHU TER
Heirloom
Bloomsdale Long Standing 39-60 days. Pre-1908 American heirloom. Glossy, dark green savoyed leaves. Does better in hot weather than most. Source: ANN BAK BOU BURG BURP COM GOU GUR IRI NIC PLA SHU STO TER
SPINACH (Oriental)
Hybrid
Akarenso 50 days. Japanese variety. The leaves are pointed with a slight serration. Attractive red-purple stems and leaf veins. Soft textured, mild spinach. Retains color when cooked. Source: KIT
Okame 53 days. Japanese spinach for summer harvest. Dark green, thick serrated leaves tolerate hot and dry conditions and is slow to bolt. Source: KIT NIC
SPINACH SUBSTITUTE
Heirloom
New Zealand Spinach 60-70 days. This variety takes the heat of summer and keeps producing. Not frost hardy. 1700s heirloom. Source: BAK BOT BURP COM GOU JOHN SEED SHU STO
SQUASH, SUMMER
Two squash can be grown in a 5-gallon or larger container; the larger the container the better, with no more than two plants per container. Provide some sort of trellis at one side of the container to support the plant.
SQUASH (summer, zucchini)
Hybrid
Buckingham 40 days. Bright yellow, 6-10″ long. Large yellow blossoms are ideal for use as edible flowers or for stuffing. 18-22″ bushy plant is ideal for containers. Source: TOT
Bush Baby 59 days. Fruits have light and dark green stripes. Bred to produce smaller fruit and are in their prime when they are 2 x 6″ long. Compact bush plant. Source: JOH TER
Heirloom
Milano Black (OP) 40-50 days. Dark green skin. Italian zucchini. Dwarf bush habit. Best when picked no longer than 8″. Source: JOHN
Ronde De Nice (Tonda Nizza) 50 days. French heirloom. round green zucchini. Ideal for stuffing. Great taste. Source: BAK BOT COO GOU IRI JOHN SEED TERR
SQUASH (summer, straightneck)
Hybrid
Saffron 50-55 days. Rich saffron yellow, uniformly tapered. Open habit compact plant. Source: BURP
Heirloom
Early Prolific 50 days. All American winner. Uniform lemon-yellow club-shaped fruit. firm flesh. Source: ANN BAK BOT BURP GOU GUR IRI JOHN SHU SOU
SQUASH (summer, crookneck)
Hybrid
Dixie 41 days. Shiny yellow crookneck, 5-6″ long. Holds well after picking. Source: BURG
Heirloom
Early Golden 42-50 days. Dates back to pre-columbus time. Source: BAK BOT
SQUASH (patty pan, scallop)
Hybrid
Balmoral 70 days. Space saving patty pan. White scallop is 6-8″ in diameter and fruit is meaty. 2 x 2′ compact plant. Source: PAR
Heirloom
Yellow Scallop (Golden Custard) Bright yellow fruit with rich mellow flavor. Predates Columbian times. Bush plant. Source: BAK
SQUASH (winter, acorn)
Hybrid
Confetti 80 days. Gold ridges and green rind. Orange flesh is less stringy and drier than other acorns. 1-2 pound fruit. Space saving bush plant. Source: HAR
Honey Bear 100 days. All American Selection winner. 1 pound fruit. 3-5 fruit per plant. Compact plant. Source: JOH PAR STO TER
Heirloom
Table Queen Bush 80 days. 36″ plant stays compact. Dry orange flesh. Good variety for small gardens. Source: BAK NIC SHU
TOMATOES
A number of determinate varieties are especially suited for small containers. The smallest varieties can be grown in 4-inch pots or handing baskets.
TOMATOES
Hybrid
Balconi Red 95 days. Clusters of delicious small bright red fruit on compact plant. Source: THO
Bitonto 55 days. Compact, determinate 10″ tall and 20″ wide plant. Ideal for containers. 1″ diameter bright red cherry tomatoes. Source: TER
Bush big Boy 78 days. Compact bush habit can be grown in containers. Determinate. 10 oz. sweet red tomato. Source: BURP
Bush Champion II 65 days. Space saving, determinate plant. 8-12 oz. red tomatoes. Source: TOT
Bush Early Girl 63 days. Determinate space saving plant. 6-7 oz. tomatoes have deep red interiors and skin. Source: STO
Cherry Punch 48 days. Compact plants do best in containers. 1″ fruit. Source: BURP
Husky Cherry Red 65 days. 1″ red tomatoes. Indeterminate space saving habit. Source: TOT
Italian Roma 73-92 days. Roma paste tomato has few seeds. Compact plant bears up to 200 fruit. Can be grown in container. Source: TERR
Orange Pixie 65 days. 4 oz. deep golden-orange fruit. Plant has large rustic rugosa leaves. 18″ tall does well in containers. Source: JOHN
Solar Fire 73 days. Flat globe with strong ability to set fruit during hot weather. Compact plant. Source: THO TOT
Sweet Baby Girl 65 days. Dark red cherry tomatoes grow in long clusters on compact plants. Can be grown in containers. Source: BURG BURP COO GUR PAR THO
Heirloom
Czech’s Bush 70 days. Stocky plants do well in containers but may need a small stake. Heavy yields of 4-6 oz. red tomatoes. Source: SEED
Gold Nugget (OP) Old time yellow cherry tomato. Outstanding yields. Can be grown in containers. Source: BURG IRI NIC TER TOT
Italian Red Cherry (OP) Early sweet variety. Can be grown in containers. Source: BAK GOU
Porter 72 days. Plum-shaped 4 oz. paste tomato. Does well in hot weather and great choice for container gardens. Source: ANN
Silvery fir Tree 58 days. Russian variety. Round, slightly flattened 3-3 1/2″ red fruit. Does well in hanging baskets. 24″ compact plant with carrot-like silvery-gray foliage. Determinate. Source: SEED TER TERR TOT
Snow Fairy Stocky very deep green 12″ plant. Bright red globe-shaped fruit. Russian variety. Source: BAK
White Cherry 59 days. Pale yellow fruit, 1 1/8-1 3/4″ diameter. Compact plant. Good container variety. Indeterminate. Source: THE
Whippersnapper (OP) Hanging basket or container tomato. So covered with fruit that the branches do best in pots where they can hand down. Pink, sweet cherry tomatoes. Source: BAK