Porch Gardening 101

By: Elizabeth Griffin

Flourishing gardens and blooming flowers bring life to any home. Having the ability to boast that you grew your own fruits and vegetables is deeply rewarding. Sometimes, it becomes challenging to maintain a large garden; life gets in the way, and you simply do not have the time to spend entire days tending to a crop. Porch and patio gardens are a perfect solution if you lack the time or space necessary to manage a greater area. Here are ten of the best fruits, roots, and greens to add to your porch this year!

Tomatoes

With a variety of kitchen uses, tomatoes are one of the largest producing With a variety of kitchen uses, tomatoes are one of the largest producing potted plants and thrive in ample sunlight. Some tomato plants yield up to ten pounds of fruit per season, which makes it an excellent addition to any garden. Plant the tomatoes in a pot that measures 12 inches or more in width and depth and select a vertical planter or cage to guide the growth. Quick Tip: add basil plants to heighten the flavor of your product!potted plants and thrive in ample sunlight. Some tomato plants yield up to ten pounds of fruit per season, which makes it an excellent addition to any garden. Plant the tomatoes in a pot that measures 12 inches or more in width and depth and select a vertical planter or cage to guide the growth. Quick Tip: add basil plants to heighten the flavor of your product!

Strawberries

Strawberries are an all-around summertime fruit well suited for growing in a porch garden. In fact, planting strawberries in a pot elevates them off of the ground, decreasing the risk of fungus growth, decay, and attacks from pests. Choose a container that is at least 18 inches in diameter and 10 inches deep for maximum efficiency.

Quick Tip: To conserve space, you can plant strawberries in a hanging planter from your terrace!

Chili Peppers

Tasty and simple to grow, chili peppers add a pop of color to any patio. This plant needs five or more hours of sunlight per day and frequent watering. They are best accommodated in a pot that is eight to nine inches in width and height because of the length of their roots. Be sure not to use gardening soil, because it can become too compacted and suffocate the plant. Instead, use potting soil to allow the roots to breathe and absorb water.

Spinach and Chard

Not only is spinach beneficial for your health, but it is also reasonably easy to grow and maintain. Spinach requires partial sun, and only a 5-6 inch pot is needed to accommodate the roots. You can even plant it in a window sill planter to save space on your porch or to add a burst of dark green around windows!

Similarly to spinach, chard has diverse health benefits and is easily maintained. Chard, however, requires full sun to yield the best quality of the produce. Plant in a container that is a minimum of six inches in diameter and depth, or add it to your window sill planter alongside spinach to preserve space!

Green Beans

Green Beans are not only rich in vitamins and nutrients, they are uncomplicated to manage after they begin to grow and do excellently in pots and containers. Plant them in an area that receives an abundance of sunlight in a 10-12 inch or larger container. Green beans can be planted so that they will grow vertically on a pole or horizontally on a bush. Since it does not matter which method you use, and this crop is easy to maintain, it is suited for novice gardeners!

Onions

Onions are another versatile addition to your porch garden. They require full sun and a pot that is a minimum of five to six inches in depth. You can add these to a larger container with tomatoes and basil for a trifecta -- pasta sauce in a pot!

Blueberries

Blueberries are a classic summer berry that adds a sweet and delectable flavor to kitchens everywhere. These berries require at least 12 inches in width and height to accommodate their roots. Full sunlight is ideal for them to thrive; they will also need to be watered regularly. Quick Tip: Add coffee grounds to the potting soil once a week to enhance the flavor and abundance of blueberries!

Growing your own fruits and vegetables to serve during the spring and summer is a rewarding experience. You can even preserve them to make them last year-round! So, don’t worry if you lack the space or expertise required for a large garden. Plant one on your porch!