Growing cool-season edibles in containers is a perfect way to get a head start on gardening before the soil warms up. Containers heat up quickly on mild spring days, promoting early growth for plants. If the weather turns harsh, simply bring your containers indoors to wait out storms, and move them back outside on sunny days to enjoy the growth. These easy-to-grow, cool-season plants thrive in pots and provide delicious rewards.
Best Cool-Season Edibles for Containers
Cool-season plants thrive in temperatures around 50°F (10°C), making them ideal for early planting. These plants tend to be smaller, which makes them well-suited for container gardening. Some excellent options include:
- Lettuce: Grows quickly and is perfect for containers.
- Spinach: A hardy green that’s great in small pots.
- Parsley: A slow grower but ideal for pots.
- Radishes: Quick to mature and easy to grow in containers.
- Baby Bok Choy: Thrives in cool temperatures and does well in pots.
- Onions: Plant scallions or small onions to grow in pots.
- Edible Flowers: Calendulas, pansies, and Johnny jump-ups add color and flavor to your containers.
Starting Seeds in Containers
Direct seeding smaller vegetables in containers works very well. Consider varieties like baby bok choy, arugula, dwarf chard, and radishes. Start by sowing the seeds indoors under grow lights until they germinate, and then move them to a protected outdoor spot. Make sure to thin seedlings to give them enough space to grow. As days get longer, leafy greens grow quickly, making this an ideal time for these plants.
Pairing with Pansies
Pansies, known for their vibrant blooms, are a beautiful addition to any spring container. While large-flowered pansies offer striking color, the smaller Johnny jump-ups are hardier and more resilient in cooler weather. Pansies bounce back quickly after a hard freeze and can be moved to any spot once they begin blooming. Their petals have a slight minty, lettuce-like flavor, making them a wonderful addition to salads or desserts. Pansies pair perfectly with lettuce, which grows quickly and is usually harvested before the pansies reach full size. Baby bok choy and onions (harvested as scallions) also complement pansies in a spring container.
Harvesting Early Onions and Chives
Onions can be grown in containers and harvested early as scallions (green onions). To do this, plant onion sets or 1-inch pieces of scallions into your container. Within a couple of weeks, you can begin harvesting tender onion tops to add to soups or salads. Chives and garlic chives are also excellent choices for containers. These herbs can be quickly snipped and added to various dishes.
You can also explore other herbs and edible plants that grow well in containers, such as violets, mints, or thyme. These herbs thrive on bright windowsills and can make unique gifts for friends and family.
Low-Maintenance Container Gardening
Cool-season edibles generally require less maintenance than summer plants. They don’t dry out as quickly in containers, making them easier to care for. Most cool-season vegetables grow quickly, and since they’re harvested early, your containers won’t be a long-term commitment. When temperatures rise and your cool-season edibles are finished, you can easily transition your pots to warm-season plants.
Starting a spring container garden with cool-season edibles is an enjoyable and rewarding way to get an early start on your gardening season. With minimal effort, you can grow a variety of delicious and colorful plants to enjoy throughout the spring.