Carrots in a deep pot
Carrots — compact varieties thrive in deep pots
Pot: 30–35 cm deepSun: 6–8 hTime: 10–12 wks
  1. Fill deep pot with fine, stone-free compost; pre-moisten.
  2. Sow thinly; cover 5–10 mm; water gently.
  3. Keep evenly moist; thin to 3–4 cm apart.
  4. Harvest when shoulders show; lift in cool of day.

Mini types: Paris Market, Amsterdam, Napoli.

Lettuce in a planter
Lettuce — cut-and-come-again for constant salads
Pot: wideLight: sun/part-shadeTime: 4–6 wks
  1. Sow thinly; cover lightly; keep moist.
  2. Thin to 10–15 cm or plant plugs 20 cm apart.
  3. Water little & often; avoid midday scorch.
  4. Pick outer leaves weekly.

Mix oakleaf, romaine, lollo for staggered harvests.

Tomatoes ripening in a pot
Tomatoes — bush types suit balconies & patios
Pot: 30–40 cmSun: 6–8 hFeed: weekly
  1. Choose determinate types (Tumbling Tom, Totem).
  2. Plant deep in rich compost; add support.
  3. Water deeply; mulch; avoid wetting foliage.
  4. Start tomato feed when first fruits set.

Consistent moisture prevents splitting & blossom-end rot.

Kale leaves in a pot
Kale — hardy, nutrient-dense, cold-tolerant
Pot: 25–30 cmLight: sun/part-shadeTime: 8–10 wks
  1. Plant 1 per 25–30 cm pot; keep moist.
  2. Pick outer leaves; keep crown growing.
  3. Net if pigeons/caterpillars are around.

Varieties: Cavolo Nero, Red Russian, Dwarf Curled.

Chillies in a container
Chillies — small plant, big flavour payoff
Pot: 25–30 cmSun: warm & brightFeed: weekly
  1. Use rich, free-draining compost; keep warm.
  2. Water regularly; avoid waterlogging.
  3. Pick often to encourage more fruit.

Good starters: Jalapeño, Hungarian Wax, Apache.

Mixed herbs: basil, parsley, mint
Mixed herbs — basil, parsley, mint for instant wins
Pot: shallow/wideLight: brightHarvest: all season
  1. Plant in good drainage; mint in its own pot.
  2. Keep moist; don’t let basil dry out.
  3. Pinch tips to keep bushy.

Rotate cuttings between pots to always have fresh growth.

Radishes growing in a pot
Radish — fast grower, ready in weeks
Pot: 20–25 cmSun: 4–6 hTime: 3–5 wks
  1. Sow thinly 1 cm deep; firm gently.
  2. Keep moist to avoid pithy roots.
  3. Harvest when marble to golf-ball size.

Succession sow every 2 weeks for a steady supply.

Spring onions in a trough planter
Spring onions — easy, space-efficient
Pot: troughSun: 6 hTime: 6–8 wks
  1. Sow fairly close; no need to thin heavily.
  2. Keep evenly moist.
  3. Harvest at pencil thickness.

Varieties: White Lisbon, Ishikura.

Beetroot leaves in a pot
Beetroot — harvest roots and leaves
Pot: 25–30 cmSun: fullTime: 6–8 wks
  1. Sow 2 cm deep; thin/space plants ~10 cm.
  2. Water evenly for tender roots.
  3. Pick at golf-ball to billiard-ball size.

Chioggia (striped) and Boltardy are container-friendly.

Strawberries in a hanging basket
Strawberries — perfect for pots & baskets
Pot: hanging/bowlSun: 6 h+Feed: fruiting
  1. Plant crowns at soil surface.
  2. Keep evenly moist; mulch helps.
  3. Feed every 2 weeks when fruiting.

Remove runners unless propagating; net against birds.

Courgette plant with fruit in container
Courgette — steady harvest from one plant
Pot: 40+ cmSun: 6–8 hFeed: weekly
  1. Plant one per large pot; rich compost.
  2. Water daily in hot spells; mulch.
  3. Pick fruit young to keep plant producing.

Patio Star & Black Beauty do well in containers.

Runner beans on a wigwam frame
Runner beans — climb well with support
Pot: 35–40 cmSun: fullSupport: wigwam
  1. Sow direct or plant sturdy seedlings.
  2. Train up canes/netting; tie in as needed.
  3. Pick regularly to keep pods tender.

Feed with high-potash once flowering starts.

Peas climbing netting in a pot
Peas — sweet and easy, great for kids
Pot: troughSun: fullSupport: netting
  1. Sow or plant in rows; water well.
  2. Provide net/strings to climb.
  3. Pick pods when plump and bright.

Dwarf/sugar-snap types are container naturals.

Nasturtium flowers spilling over a pot
Nasturtium — edible flowers & pollinator magnet
Pot: hanging/wideSun: fullSoil: lean
  1. Sow 1–2 cm deep; no heavy feeding.
  2. Water moderately; trails nicely.
  3. Pick flowers/leaves for salads.

Light feeding = more flowers, fewer leaves.

Lavender in a terracotta pot
Lavender — scent, bees, and calm in one pot
Pot: terracottaSun: fullWater: light
  1. Use gritty mix; top-dress with gravel.
  2. Water sparingly once established.
  3. Trim after flowering to keep shape.

English types (Hidcote, Munstead) are hardy & compact.

Sunflower in a large container
Sunflower — tall joy, great for kids & pollinators
Pot: 35–40 cmSun: fullStake: yes
  1. Sow 2–3 seeds 2 cm deep; thin to strongest.
  2. Stake early; water regularly.
  3. Pick pollen-free for vases; leave heads for birds.

Dwarf/container types: Teddy Bear, Little Leo, Music Box.

Pick a Pot

Deep for roots (carrots, tomatoes, beetroot), wide for salads, tall for climbers. Ensure good drainage.

Right Compost

A peat-free multi-purpose mix works. Add slow-release feed for fruiting crops like tomatoes or strawberries.

Light & Water

6+ hours of sun is ideal. Water deeply when the top inch dries; keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.

Pollinators Matter

Plants like lavender, nasturtiums and sunflowers help bees thrive and boost crop yields nearby.

What if I only have shade?

Grow leafy things: parsley, mint, chives, and some lettuces cope with partial shade.

How soon can I harvest?

Radish and lettuce in weeks; tomatoes and courgettes in months; herbs throughout the season; beetroot in around 8 weeks.

Best “first win”?

Cut-and-come-again lettuce, mixed herbs, radishes or beetroot — quick results and great flavour.

Need low-maintenance?

Lavender, mint (in its own pot), nasturtiums, beetroot and kale thrive with minimal fuss.