7 Fruits & Vegetables You Can Grow In Hanging Baskets
For gardeners with limited space, growing vertically is often the best solution. One of the most effective ways to do this is by using hanging pots. And even if you don’t have space constraints, incorporating hanging containers can be a great way to add visual interest to your garden – after all, many fruits and vegetables are just as visually appealing as flowers.
Creating a custom hanging garden with the plants you want is surprisingly easy.
The pots can be easily lowered for watering, maintenance, and harvesting, and it’s simple to bring them inside should extreme weather conditions arise.
The popularity of space-saving fruits and vegetables has led to a cottage industry focused on planting solutions for small gardens, and growing in hanging pots is one of the best options out there. If you already have a container garden on the ground, why not take it up a notch?
Growing fruits and vegetables in hanging pots can free up both space in your garden and on your back porch, allowing you to cultivate even more plants in a small area.
While hanging pots are often associated with bedding plants, there’s no reason you can’t grow fruits and vegetables in them. Provided you choose the right additions, keep them fertilized and watered, they’ll thrive throughout the season, looking great while providing fresh produce for your kitchen.
The Basics Of Growing Fruits & Vegetables In Hanging Pots:
Choosing a location for the hanging pots:
When it comes to placing your hanging containers, there are several factors to consider. First and foremost, think about the amount of sunlight your plants will receive. Most fruits and vegetables thrive in areas that get at least six hours of direct sunlight each day, but you can also use herbs and other shade-loving plants for spots that receive less sunshine. Additionally, be mindful of the height of your planters.
Make sure they’re not too high up to make watering a challenge – after all, many plants require frequent watering. At the same time, ensure that your pots aren’t blocking paths or walkways. Another crucial consideration is wind protection. Loose, dangling plants are vulnerable to damage from gusts and gales, so choose sheltered spots to minimize the risk of bruising or breakage.
Preparing your pots:
When it comes to growing vegetables and/or fruit in pots, the preparation process is strikingly similar to preparing containers for flowers. A crucial step is selecting a pot with good drainage capabilities. To further protect the soil and roots of your plants, consider adding a high-quality planter liner. For optimal weight management, opt for lightweight potting mix instead of garden soil. In addition to the right container, you’ll also need to choose the appropriate size pot or basket.
For larger, more mature plants with extensive root systems, a five-gallon bucket can serve as an ideal hanging container. Simply fill it with your chosen potting mix and drill holes in the sides and bottom for proper drainage. While it’s possible to plant multiple varieties together in one container, overcrowding must be avoided. For heavy-feeding plants like peppers and tomatoes, it’s best to allocate a single plant per container to ensure each receives the necessary resources.
Feeding & Watering:
When cultivating plants in hanging pots, it’s crucial to provide them with regular nutrients, as they tend to deplete the soil’s resources more quickly than those planted directly in the ground. Consistent feeding can lead to enhanced flowering and fruiting in productive plants. For example, calcium-loving tomatoes and other varieties will greatly benefit from adding eggshell-rich composts. The possibilities for homemade fertilizers are vast, depending on the specific plant.
A simple yet effective Epsom salt-based solution for magnesium-requiring plants like tomatoes and peppers involves dissolving one tablespoon of Epsom salt in a gallon of water, then using the mixture to water your plants once a month. Researching your plant’s unique needs online will yield numerous DIY fertilizer recipes. Keep in mind that potted plants tend to dry out faster than those planted in the ground, often requiring multiple daily waterings.
To simplify the process and ensure consistent hydration, consider setting up a miniature self- watering irrigation system for all your hanging pots. These systems can be purchased online from retailers like Amazon, offering various options to suit your needs. Additionally, adding a layer of mulch will help retain moisture between waterings.
Upside down plants:
The upside-down growing system is a popular trend in hanging gardens that’s often associated with tomatoes and strawberries, but it can also be used for plants like cucumbers, beans, peas, peppers, and aubergines. One of its greatest advantages is that you’ll never have to worry about weeding again.
As plants grow upwards naturally, you may need to gently guide their stems into the desired direction using twine or weights to encourage growth beyond the base of the container before it branches out.
You can easily create your own upside-down hanging garden using a large plastic pot or a five-gallon bucket. To do so, start by installing hanging hooks that can support the weight of the planter, plants, and soil.
Then, drill holes in the bottom of the planter for each plant – one hole per container for larger plants like tomatoes, and up to eight holes for smaller ones like peas or beans. Make sure the holes are large enough to accommodate the transplant’s foliage, roots, and stem. Once you’ve hung your container, thread each plant through a hole and add potting mix a little at a time, gently pressing it down as you go until the transplant is stable.
As you add more plants, surround each one with compost to hold it in place. Continue adding soil until you’re about 2-4 inches from the top, then water well and let any excess drain out the bottom.
Planting from the sides of the basket:
When cultivating plants in hanging containers, consider utilizing vertical space by allowing seedlings to grow from the sides. To achieve this, create holes in the liner and container walls at strategic points, then cover the seeding tip with a protective layer of recycled paper before inserting the seedling from inside out. This will encourage the plant to thrive downward or outward, eventually covering the basket with lush foliage once established.
Herbs like mint are particularly well-suited for this method, allowing for effortless harvesting as needed.
General maintenance & harvesting:
To ensure the continued health and productivity of your plants, several additional tasks are crucial once they’re planted and watered. One key aspect is regular weeding, which can be accomplished by temporarily relocating containers or using a stool to access them. For those utilizing upright hanging methods, this step is particularly important. Rotating your containers also deserves attention, as it allows all plants to receive the necessary sunlight for optimal growth.
A quarter to half circle rotation every week will suffice, promoting uniform plant development. As your plants grow and produce fruit or vegetables, consider providing support structures, such as trellises, to prevent container weight buildup and ensure vine stability. Pruning away decaying or yellowing leaves is also vital, not only for aesthetic purposes but also to preserve nutrient flow and prevent disease transmission.
Finally, harvesting mature crops promptly can help reduce container weight, prolong plant lifespan, and promote continued growth.
7 Fruits & Vegetables To Grow In Hanging Pots:
When it comes to hanging pots, not every type of plant is a suitable candidate. Watermelons and many types of squash are too heavy for these containers, while corn is simply too tall. However, there are numerous smaller plants that can flourish in hanging baskets. Vining crops with light fruits that won’t break under the weight of their own droopiness are ideal, as are compact, upright varieties.
When selecting a container, be sure to choose one that can support the combined weight of the vines, produce, soil, and water.
Lettuce
Lettuce is an excellent choice for hanging pots due to its lightweight nature and relatively easy cultivation. When it comes to lighting, lettuce prefers full sun exposure; however, during the peak heat of summer months, it’s essential to provide some afternoon shade to prevent leaf wilting and bitterness. This simple adjustment ensures a healthy and flavorful harvest.
Cherry tomatoes
For beginners in the world of gardening, cherry tomatoes are an excellent starting point. Not only do they require minimal maintenance, but they also add a pop of color to your hanging pots. When selecting a variety, opt for compact bush types that will cascade down the container’s sides. The ‘Tumbler’ strain is particularly well-suited for this type of gardening, as it will effortlessly spread and produce clusters of fruit.
Just be sure to plant only one tomato per pot, as they can be quite demanding on resources and may compete with each other for nutrients and water.
Spinach
When it comes to filling a hanging pot with a nutritious green, spinach is an excellent choice. To get started, you can either plant three spinach seedlings directly or sow seeds and thin them out to the same number of plants. A triangular layout is particularly effective in this case, as it ensures each plant has ample space to grow and thrive.
Chard
Chard, a leafy green cousin to spinach and beetroot, boasts not only exceptional nutritional value but also a vibrant appearance that can elevate the ambiance of any space within your home. Its stunning, multicolored stems add an extra layer of visual appeal, with rainbow-hued varieties available to further tantalize the senses.
Strawberries
Strawberries are an excellent choice for gardening, offering a low-maintenance yet fruitful experience all summer long. The fact that they can thrive in hanging containers just as well as those on the ground is a significant advantage. One of the top-performing varieties for this type of setup is sweet alpine strawberries, which surprisingly can tolerate some shade. However, due to their shallow root system, it’s crucial to ensure consistent watering to keep them healthy and thriving.
Peas
When it comes to adding some greenery to your outdoor space, peas are an excellent choice. Not only do they thrive in hanging pots, but they also create a stunning visual display that can elevate the overall aesthetic of your garden. However, it’s crucial to keep in mind that these legumes require consistent moisture levels, so be sure to water them daily to prevent drying out and ensure optimal growth.
Cucamelons
A unique and intriguing addition to any garden or container arrangement is the cucamelon (also known as Mexican sour gherkin). Unlike traditional cucumbers that can weigh down containers if not harvested regularly, cucamelons offer a lightweight alternative. With their miniature watermelon-like appearance and similar taste profile to cucumbers, these small fruits are a delightful addition to any outdoor space.
They thrive in well-lit conditions and require minimal support, making them an ideal choice for hanging planters or trellises.
Pin This To Save For Later
