Growing produce for restaurants for quite some time now, here are 7 vegetable options to plant in containers within June for homegrown yields in limited spaces:
Container Garden Delights: Unleash Your Green Thumb with June's Best Picks
Why settle for ordinary supermarket veggies when you can harvest your own flavor-packed, fresh produce straight from your home garden? Whether you've got a spacious backyard or a simple balcony, you can still cultivate an impressive assortment of veggies in containers this month. As a seasoned vegetable whisperer, I've guided restaurants with grand kitchen gardens and tended to compact urban gardens myself – here are my top recommendations for June plantings.
June's Lustrous Selection for Container Vegetables
- Bok Choy: Don't let the gentle name fool you – this Chinese cabbagepacks a peppery punch, ranging from white to green. Skip the store-bought plants and sow seeds directly into 10-12 inch containers for a budget-friendly crop. Keep the sun shining and the soil moist for a 30-40 day growing period (baby leaves) or a bit longer for fully mature stalks.
- Green Onions / Spring Onions: These familiar alliums are perfect for container gardens, thanks to their quick growth and shallow root system. Sow seeds into a planter box at least 18 inches wide for a zesty addition to your meals in around 60 days.
- Zucchini: This productive summer essential can flourish in pots, provided you plant compact bush varieties in containers of at least 5-10 gallons. Start with live plants or sow seeds early in June and nurture them with water, a balanced fertilizer, and a weekly tomato feed as they flower and fruit.
- Bush Cucumbers: Nurture these smaller, trellis-free plants in pots at least 5 gallons. Offer a sunny spot and regular watering and feeding with tomato fertilizer for a bountiful harvest of miniature cukes. Opt for direct sowings or plant store-bought plants for a faster crop.
- Chard: This hardworking, dual-purpose crop will provide both lush greenery and flavorful leaves. Choose "Rainbow Mix" seeds for a pop of color and sow in containers at least 12 inches wide. Protect from intense afternoon sun for optimal growth, and harvest leaves in 4-6 weeks.
- Radishes: Ready in as little as four weeks, these spicy roots are a summer salad staple that thrives in containers. Sow seeds in a container at least 12 inches wide (6 inches for shorter-rooted varieties) and keep moist. For repeated harvests, sow seeds successively from spring to early fall.
- Beets: Whether you prefer round or cylindrical, red, yellow, or striped, beets are an easy, versatile container crop. Space seeds thinly (to account for multiple germinations) and offer plenty of sun and water for high-yield results.
FAQs
Can I sow tomato seeds in June?June is nearing the end of the ideal window for tomato plantings, but you can still get a crop this year if you sow seeds early in the month. For container tomatoes, consider the compact 'Veranda Red Hybrid' variety.
Can you plant carrots in June?Yes, carrot seeds can be sown in June, and they will thrive in containers if you choose short-rooted or rounded varieties to accommodate smaller pots.
Can I plant potatoes in June?While traditional planting windows have passed, early types of potatoes can still be planted in June for a harvest in about 100 days. Opt for compact pots for the best results.
As you prepare to dive into container gardening, don't forget to combat slugs with copper tape or petroleum jelly around the rims of your containers. Happy planting, and enjoy your summer bounty!
- With the flavorsome crops from your container garden, you can elevate your cooking lifestyle and meals by incorporating fresh, home-grown ingredients into your recipes.
- To complement your lush home-and-garden, consider expanding your green thumb to the fashion-and-beauty realm by trying your hand at growing non-edible plants such as lavender or aloe vera for decoration and their added benefits.
- Beyond cultivating a variety of vegetables, don't forget about food-and-drink opportunities; consider growing herbs like basil, mint, and rosemary in containers for a delicious addition to your beverages and culinary creations.
