Popular vegetables for container gardening

Beans:

Plant from seed. Bush beans produce only one crop per season. Pole beans are more productive, but require space for a 6-8 foot pole to climb.

Carrots:

Plant generously with seed, then thin out the seedlings. Choose a variety that fits the depth of your container—there are carrots of various lengths.

Cucumbers:

Bush varieties take up less space than the trailing type, which will grow over your container and produce cucumbers all over your patio.

Eggplants and Peppers:

Eggplants are beautiful plants that are ornamental as well as delicious. Be sure to put them where you can see them! Peppers are also attractive as they grow and come in all varieties from sweet to inferno.

Squash:

There are so many types of squash! Summer squash, such as zucchini, are more productive than winter squash (both grow in summer).

Tomatoes:

The queen of the garden! If you choose a determinate variety of tomato (one that grows only 2-3 feet and produces its crop all at once), then put a small wire cage or bamboo stakes around the plant at the time of planting. If you choose an indeterminate variety (rangy plants that produce all season), then use a 5 foot cage. Sweet cherry tomatoes are particularly successful in containers and usually have a long productive season.