If you have no garden, there is no problem! You can read more about the fruits to grow in containers right on your patio
Over 80% of Americans indeed have lawns, but what happens when you are part of the rest of the 20% or if you live in an apartment? Or if you have a small yard and you want to have your own fruits, there is no need to panic, as there are a variety of fruits to grow in containers.
Most of us dream about owning a big yard where we can do whatever we want. A place where our wildest gardening dreams come true. But sometimes this is not possible. Maybe the yard is small and crowded, or we have no garden at all. Anything is possible.
When the weather starts to get warmer, many of us think about how awesome it would be to grow our own fruits. Just imagine having your own delicious strawberries. We bet it would be really nice.
Hopefully, you don’t need a lot of space to grow some fruits, and today we want to talk about the best fruits to grow in containers. Are you ready to make the most of your summer?
Key tips for container gardening
First things first, when you want to know more about which fruits to grow in containers, you need to be aware that the size of the container is important and can influence the way the plant grows. In order to let the plant breathe and develop a healthy root system, you need to give it enough space.
Another thing to consider is good drainage. You will need a container that has good drainage capabilities, and for this reason, we advise you to use wooden barrels for large crops. If you want something smaller, ceramic and plastic containers are perfect.
Blueberries (Soil type: Well-draining, Sun exposure: Full sun, Soil pH: Acidic)
These plants are amazing, and they are a perfect choice if you want something that looks good all year round. In the spring, you can see the beautiful blooms; in the summer, you will get the delicious fruits you are looking for; and later, in the fall, the bushes will turn ruby-red. What more can you want?
Blueberries are some of the best fruits to grow in containers, and they are a great choice if you live in an area where the pH of the soil is too high. It is true that they still need an acidic medium, and for this, you will use this simple method: Mix 50% basic potting soil and 50% peat moss.
But remember that peat can be hard to rehydrate after it dries, and because of this, you should be careful and keep the moisture in the container. Water it regularly, and everything should be alright.
Pineapple (Soil type: Medium, well-draining, Sun exposure: Full sun, Soil pH: Acidic)
Kind of exotic, right? But did you know that you can grow this exotic plant right on your patio without too much struggle?
Many times, people try to grow pineapples using the crown of a fruit they have bought. And guess what? This works wonderfully! Yes, it is this easy to grow a pineapple. Even more, if we compare the space a pineapple takes, it is less than most plants we have on this list. Because of this, it is easy to say that pineapples are some of the best fruits to grow in containers.
The only downside of the pineapple is that you will have to wait until you get the fruit. Between 18 and 24 months, and this can be such a long time for some people who are not really patient.
The best time to grow your pineapples is during the warm and sunny summer days, and later in the winter, you should move them inside and place the containers in front of a bright window.
Dwarf peach (Soil type: Medium and well-draining, Sun exposure: Full sun, Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral)
This can be the star of your patio, and it’s one of the easiest fruits to grow in containers. The dwarf peach is full of grace with its slender leaves and graceful pink blooms, which are also incredibly fragrant.
You can find a wide selection of dwarf peaches and nectarines in almost any home or gardening store, and don’t be surprised if you stumble upon some that have more than one cultivar attached to the stem. This happens more than you think, and it is great news since it means you get more for the same price.
As we said, it is one of the best fruits to grow in containers, and we want to recommend you start with the “Pix Zee” variety. It is easy to take care of, produces some of the most delicious peaches, and once the plant matures, it will reach no more than 5 to 6 feet in height.
It is also an exceptional choice for gardens that are located in a warmer climate, in the south, as this variety needs only 400 chilling hours to bloom. Also, if you decide that you want to plant peach trees, be properly prepared and purchase some large containers, 25 gallons or bigger.
Strawberries (Soil type: Moist and well-draining, Sun exposure: Full sun, Soil pH: Slightly acidic)
Of all the fruits to grow in containers, strawberries are probably the most popular. They even have their own style of container, known as the strawberry pot. Typically made of clay, these gigantic urn-shaped pots include many pocket-like holes along their edges and are built like this for nestling individual plants.
This model of building a pot is smart as it is the main solution that solves the problem of overcrowding. When plants are too close to one another, they will have limited productivity, and we want to avoid this as much as possible.
But if you don’t want to grow them in the traditional way, you need to know that strawberries can also thrive in hanging baskets. When you want to optimize fruit production, just trim off the early-season runners, and the plant will use its energy for fruit production.
“Sugar Baby Bush” watermelon (Soil Type: Rich, moist, and well-draining, Sun exposure: Full sun, Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral)
People don’t see this as a good option for plants to grow on their patio, mainly because of their long vines that can easily overtake a patio, but the truth is, there are some watermelon varieties that are some of the best fruits to grow in containers on your patio.
The “Sugar Baby Bush” watermelon is tiny, and its vines reach a maximum of three feet. But don’t be fooled by this, because you will not compromise on taste. Each vine is able to yield two to three melons, and one melon usually weighs up to ten pounds.
You will need a large container that can hold 7–10 gallons of soil per plant, and even more importantly, you will need low-nitrogen, high-phosphorous fertilizer, as melons are known to be heavy feeders.
If you want to start planting some fruits in containers, these ones are perfect: 10-Pack 10 Gallon Grow Bags, Aeration Nonwoven Fabric Plant Pots with Handles, Heavy Duty Gardening Planter for Vegetable and Fruits
You should also read: 10 Plants You Can Easily Winter Indoors
