If you want a vegetable garden but don’t have a lot of outdoor space, growing vegetables in pots is the perfect solution. It’s convenient, easy to manage, and very rewarding.

When you choose the right vegetables, you don’t even have to wait very long for results. Here are ten of the fastest-growing vegetables for container gardens.

Top 10 Fast Growing Vegetables in Pots

The main benefit to planting fast-growing vegetables is pretty obvious – you get to enjoy your fresh, homegrown veggies even faster! Here are ten great choices for growing vegetables in pots, fast.

For the fastest results, start with seedlings. You can plant seeds, but it will add weeks to the process, and some of the seeds might not sprout, so the results aren’t as reliable.

1. Artichokes

One of the great things about artichokes is that you can plant them once, right after the last spring frost, and they’ll come back every year. Artichokes need a five-gallon window box. Plant them about five inches deep, leaving about six inches between each one.

Water twice a week and you’ll be able to harvest in about 90 days.

2. Carrots

Carrots are easy to grow in pots. Wait until one month after the last frost, then plant them in a five-gallon window box. Plant them four to six inches deep, leaving about three inches or so between them.

Place the window box in full sun and water two or three times a week. Carrots are ready to harvest in about 100 days.

3. Green Beans

Green beans are one of the faster-growing container vegetables. Wait until about a month after the first frost to plant. You can also plant again in early summer for a bountiful harvest.

Use a five-gallon window box and plant the green beans three inches deep and about three or four inches apart.

Make sure the container receives full sun and water two or three times a week. Your green beans will be ready for harvest in about 60 days.

4. Eggplant

You can plant eggplant in a five-gallon pot about a month after the last frost. Place the seedline about six to eight inches deep. They need about 12 inches between each plant.

Eggplant loves full sun and needs watering two or three times a week. They grow relatively quickly and are ready to harvest in about 90 days.

5. Lettuce

Lettuce is a great choice for a container garden because it tolerates a variety of weather conditions and can be planted right after the last spring frost or in the early fall.

You’ll need a five-gallon window box. Plant the lettuce about five inches deep and leave six to eight inches between each plant. Keep the lettuce in partial sun and water twice a week. You should get your first harvest about 30 days after planting.

6. Onions

You can grow onions in a five-gallon pot, right after the last spring frost. Make sure you plant them six inches deep and about six inches apart. Onions need full sun, so make sure you place the pot somewhere that provides it. Water once a week, and you can slowly harvest about 90 days.

7. Peppers

Peppers are a little pickier than some of the other vegetables on this list. Some of these veggies can tolerate being planted immediately after the last spring frost, but peppers like things a little warmer. Wait a month after the last frost, or your peppers won’t make it.

You can grow peppers in a five-gallon pot. Plant them about six to eight inches deep, leaving at least 12 inches between each plant. Peppers need full sun and require watering two to three times a week. They’re ready for harvest in about 90 days.

8. Spinach

Spinach is a very hearty vegetable that tolerates a wide variety of weather. You can plant it in the spring right after the last frost and into the fall.

To grow spinach, you need a five-gallon window container. Bury the roots about four to six inches deep and leave about seven inches between each plant. Water after planting and about twice a week.

Spinach needs partial sun, and it’s ready to harvest in about 30 days.

9. Sweet Peas

Sweet peas are a great option for growing vegetables in pots. Use a five-gallon window box and plant them about a month after the last frost and again in late spring or early summer. Make sure they’re about three inches deep and leave about four inches between them.

This vegetable is another one that needs full sun. Water your peas two or three times a week, and you should have a harvest in about 60 days.

10. Tomatoes

Some varieties of tomatoes are easy to grow in pots. Grape and cherry tomatoes are the best. Wait until about a month after the last frost. Any sign of cold weather will most likely kill the plant.

Use a five-gallon bucket and plant the tomatoes about eight to ten inches deep. You can usually only fit one in a pot of this size, but if you’re using a larger container, leave about 14 inches between them.

Keep your tomatoes in full sun, water them two or three times a week, and you should be able to harvest in about 90 days.

Smart Tips For Growing Vegetables in Pots

Now that you know what you can plant, here are some tips to help make sure you get the best possible results.

1. Choose the right container

You can use just about any pot you want, as long as it’s large enough. Avoid anything that’s been treated or was previously used to hold chemicals or anything that could hurt the plant.

Plastic buckets and bins and wooden boxes are great options. You don’t have to buy anything new, either. Look around your garage and see if there’s anything you can reuse. If you need containers and don’t want to spend too much money, head to the dollar store and pick up some plastic bins or baskets.

There are a few things to make sure of. First, the container has to be able to stand up to the weather. Second, ensure that it’s deep enough for the roots of the vegetable you plan to use it for. And third, it needs drainage. Some containers already have drainage, but you can use a drill to add holes if needed.

2. Use the right soil

Garden soil isn’t good for container gardens because it gets too compact when watered. Over the course of a growing season, this makes it difficult for the plants to continue growing.

Instead, use soil that is specially formulated for containers. Or, you can make your own using equal parts compost, perlite, and peat moss.

3. Put the containers in the right spot

This is one of the best things about growing vegetables in pots. They’re portable, so you can put them wherever you need to make sure they get enough sun.

Most vegetables like full sun, but this isn’t always the case. Some plants can tolerate a little bit of shade. Make sure you do your research when planning your garden so that everything you’re growing gets ideal growing conditions.

4. Plant at the right time

Some plants can tolerate colder weather and will be okay if you plant immediately after the last frost. Others will not survive in cooler temperatures, so it’s best to wait about a month or so.

Some veggies have longer growing seasons and can last until the fall. Working out what you want to plant and when you can plant it is all a part of the planning stage. Make sure you know what everything needs before you get started.

5. Water appropriately

One of the big things to remember about growing vegetables in pots is that the soil dries out quickly. If you planted in the ground, you might not need to water that often, especially if you live in a wet climate.

Most container gardens need watering at least twice a week at a minimum. If the container is in full sun and the weather is hot and dry, you may need to water every day. Water each pot until the soil is saturated and water runs out of the bottom drainage holes. Water again when the top inch of the soil feels dry.

6. Don’t forget to fertilize

Just as vegetables in pots need more water than those that grow in the ground, they also need more fertilizer. The fertilizer that you use in a traditional garden stays in the soil. In a pot, it runs out of the bottom as you water.

To counter this, apply water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks or so to make sure your vegetables get all the nutrients they need.

Conclusion

If you don’t have room for a traditional garden, you’re in luck. Growing vegetables in pots is easy and convenient. When done right, you can start harvesting in as little as 30 to 60 days.