The advantages of container gardening
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They can add structure, style and brighten up areas while adding extra space for crops
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They can be sited close to the classroom allowing for supervision
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They are smaller, manageable spaces so children can care for them easily
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They can be moved, for example from indoors to outdoors when the weather improves
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They can be taken home over the holidays
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They can be made accessible for everyone with a few adjustments, for example by raising them up
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They enable you to grow plants even if the soil you have is poor or the plants require something different (e.g. blueberries that need ericaceous or acidic soil)
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There is less chance of pest damage in containers or at least it is easier to manage
The disadvantages of container gardening
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They can dry out easily so need watering and feeding more frequently
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Only small amounts of vegetables can be grown in containers, so match the size of the crop to the container
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Pots can restrict plant growth, although this can also be an advantage making some plants a more manageable size
Vegetables to grow in containers
There are many different varieties of vegetables that are suitable for growing in containers.
Crop |
Varieties |
Aubergine |
'Adona' or 'Bonica', begin indoors or under glass |
Beetroot |
'Boltardy', 'Pable', 'Regala' or globe varieties |
Carrot |
'Paris Market - Atlas', 'Adelaide', 'Caracas' and 'Royal Chantenay' |
Chard |
'Bright Lights' is a colourful spinach-like plant |
Chilli |
'Orange Wonder', 'Super Chilli', 'Razzamatazz' and 'Prairie Fire' |
Courgette |
'Bambino', 'Early Gem', 'Floridor' and 'Venus' are good in grow bags |
French beans |
'Ferrari', 'Maja', 'Sonesta', 'The Prince' and 'Purple Tepee' |
Lettuce |
'Little Gem', 'Red Salad Bowl' as smaller varieties also use salad leaf mixes |
Peppers |
Sweet pepper varieties such as 'Canape', 'Ace', 'Gypsy' and 'Ariane' |
Potatoes |
'Swift' and other fast growing, shorter varieties. For more information head here. |
Radish |
'Cherry Belle', 'Scarlet Globe', 'Topsi', 'Sparkler', 'Bright lights' and 'French Breakfast' |
Runner beans |
'Hestia' and other compact varieties |
Salad leaves |
Mustard, rocket, sorrel, mizuna and many more can all be grown in containers |
Spring onions |
'White Lisbon', 'Ramrod', 'Katana', 'Gaurdsman', 'Lilia' and many more |
Tomatoes |
Many varieties suitable for containers including tumbling types for hanging baskets |
Fruit to grow in containers
As fruit bushes and trees live for a long time, it's best to plant them in as large pot as you can (around 45-50cm in diameter) and refresh the compost every two years.
Crop |
Varieties |
Apples |
Cultivars specifically for containers on a container or 'M26' root stock |
Blackcurrants |
Compact cultivars such as 'Ben Sarek' and 'Ben Gairn' |
Blueberries |
Most are suitable including 'Northsky', 'Chippewa' and 'Northcountry' |
Gooseberries |
Compact cultivars such as 'Greenfinch' and 'Rokula' |
Pears |
Cultivars specifically for containers on a container or 'M26' root stock |
Raspberries |
Compact cultivars such as 'Glen Fyne' and 'Ruby Beauty' |
Redcurrants |
'Rovada' and 'Junifer' |
Strawberries |
All varieties are suitable for containers |
White currants |
'Versailles Blanche' |
For more advice on growing fruit in containers, have a look at advice on the main RHS website: Fruit in containers.
Many herbs and edible flowers are also suitable for growing in containers.