7 vegetables you can grow in pots {Green Living}

I stay in a flat and one of the problems a high rise faces is lack of space. I took to growing veggies and flowers simply because I wanted my boys to love the nature. What I did not realize was that it introduced me to a better way of living and slowly it became a habit. What I also did not realize is that it excited my boys and they love doing small tasks like raking and watering the plants! When I was younger and my dad would get posted to various places around India, we mostly were allotted bungalows and single houses that had ample spaces around it. I remember my mother working to make the garden look beautiful and also grow vegetables at home. Things changed when we moved into flats and the luxury of space was soon forgotten.

If you love gardening (or even if you do not!), you can try growing vegetables in pots or containers. The good part about growing your own veggies is that you know they are fresh and are free of any chemicals and pesticides. But do keep in mind that there are only certain vegetables you can grow in pots and containers. I have listed 7 vegetables you can grow in pots and containers at your home. Well, I do grow these!

7  vegetables you can grow in pots

Okra – This is possibly one of the easiest plants to grow, but remember to settle at least a handful of seeds in the pot. The first time I had one stalk and the boys waited patiently for the lone okra to surface. I picked up a few more packets of the seeds and planted them till I had about 5-6 stalks that grew at least 10 -12 okras at any given time.

Brinjals – I picked up the seeds for this plant at the local nursery and the first time I planted it nothing happened. They withered in about a month and I dug up the soil and let it air for a few days and added a handful of seeds. The stalks are all grown and the flowers have made the appearance. Its a matter of a week or two before I see the vegetables.

Mint and Coriander – These are staple in most of Indian cooking and while I tried using the coriander seeds to grow the coriander plant, it did not work for me. I preferred buying the seeds from a local nursery and planting them. With mint leaves, you can try planting the fresh mint stalks with the roots that you buy from the vegetable vendor. The only thing about these two plants is that it tends to spread like wildfire, so in a short while you will have them growing all over the pot. You will need to care for them well because they tend to dry up quickly.

Capsicum – I like peppers more in a salad than cooking it. So the lone capsicum that makes an appearance is soon cut and chopped and made into a salad or is a part of a sandwich. Sowing the seeds from the capsicum could work because it did work for an acquaintance but I had to pick up seeds and plant them.

Tomatoes – Tomatoes is another staple food that is used in most dishes. While this tends to grow in a pot, you will need a bigger and a deeper pot to let the plant grow well. Tomatoes are like coriander and mint leaves, they fall and droop all over the pot and you will needs sticks to hold the stems together because they look really droopy.

Chillies – We don’t use too many chillies in the cooking so I am happy with the one or two chillies that make an appearance. These plants tend to grow tall so you deep deep pots for the stalk to stay and grow well. It takes anywhere between 12 – 16 weeks for the chillies to make an appearance.

Things you need for vegetables you can grow in pots

• Pots between 7 – 15 inches deep so that the vegetables can grow freely
• Rake to loosen the soil once a fortnight
• Fertilizer to add to the soil once a month
• Adequate sunshine and shelter for the plants to grow well

This is not a complete list and there loads of  vegetables you can grow in pots. I love waking up in the morning and sitting for a few minutes in the balcony looking at the pots of vegetables and flowers that are growing and blooming. I have realized that the more you explore, the more options you will find to live a healthy and a green life. All you need to do is try and take that first step! Are you ready?

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*All of my reviews are based on my own personal experiences with the brand/products. If it is a sponsored post, it is indicated. Most of the brands and products reviewed are what I have tried and tested and truly recommend! All Photographs are (C) Pratibha unless stated otherwise.*