Gardening is fun! And with a bit of guidance - and a bit of space - just about anyone can do it. We aren't talking about an ivy plant here. These are 18 garden-variety plants you can grow at home in containers.
With well over 5 million apartments built in the U.S. between 1990 and 2014 alone, it's fair to say there are a good number of you out there with the space to grow a healthy garden.
Add to that the number of people who have the space but are unable to plant in their yards for whatever reason, and you've got a good chunk of the population missing out on all the gardening perks.
The benefits of connecting with Nature in whatever space you have are many!
So here's some good news: You can grow a staggering amount of produce in containers under your very own roof. Here's a handy list with some resources, too. (1)
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Getting started with plants you can grow at home in containers
Fruits
Apples
Yes, even the right kind of apple tree can be grown in a container. But don't just pick your favorite apple variety, and put a tree in a pot. No, there is more to it than that. Some apple trees have been developed for container planting. (2) No bees in your house? Pollination can get tricky, especially with just one tree. Look for self-pollinating varieties. Then with the right soil, light, and water, you can wait for that Fall harvest. So it's about getting the setup right, then nurturing the tree to literally reap the fruits of your labor.Blueberry Shrubs
Here are instructions from eHow on growing blackberries in pots: (3)Step 1
Select a container for your blackberry shrub that holds 15 to 20 gallons. It should be at least 18 to 24 inches wide and 12 to 16 inches deep. If your container is deeper than 16 inches, use a trowel or shovel to add wood chips to the bottom to reduce the depth.Step 2
Fill your pot to within 6 inches of the top with 1 part peat moss to 1 part potting soil. Add several inches of organic, weed-free compost and blend well. Remove half of the soil with the trowel or shovel and set it aside for planting time.Step 3
Choose a blackberry cultivar or variety with an erect growth habit for your container, rather than one that trails. Erect blackberry species have thick, stiff canes that can usually support themselves without a trellis. It's also important to pick a cultivar that's guaranteed to be free of viruses, preferably a thornless variety, such as 'Black Satin' (Rubus subgenus Rubus Watson "Black Satin", USDA zones 5 through 8) or "Chester" (Rubus fruticosus 'Chester', USDA zones 5 through 9), These tend to be less vigorous and thus less likely to rapidly outgrow their containers.Step 4
Remove the shrub from its nursery container by squeezing on the sides gently. A container-grown plant can be planted at any time of the year, although early spring is best. Set the plant on top of the soil in its pot; then use the trowel or shovel to fill in around the plant with the soil you set aside. The plant should end up at the same depth at which it was planted in its nursery container. Add water slowly until it drips from the drain holes in the bottom of the container. Plant only one shrub per container.Step 5
Starting the second year, prune your container-grown blackberry shrubs early in the growing season in the same way you would if they were planted in the ground. First,sterilize the blades of the pruner by soaking them in a mix of 1 part water to 1 part rubbing alcohol; allow the blades to air-dry. Trim out any damaged canes or canes that rub against others. Then trim back second-year canes to between 40 and 42 inches and lateral branches to about 12 to 18 inches. Prune the shrubs again in winter to remove dead canes that produced fruit the prior summer. Dispose of all clippings.Cherries
This guide from Backyard Food Growingtells you how to grow cherry trees in a container.Lemon
Check out this video for information on growing lemons indoors:Limes
Just as you can grow apples and lemons indoors, you can also grow limes! This video shows an easy way to learn to grow limes indoors, as is this guide from Indoor Citrus Trees.Pineapple
Yes, you can grow pineapples, too! Check out the video below for information on growing pineapple indoors. I also recommend taking a look at this extensive guide from Rick's Woodshop Creations.Strawberries
You can grow strawberries in a pot using this guide from Gardening Know How: When considering how to grow strawberries inside, one must consider space issues and variety of strawberry houseplants one wishes to cultivate. Space-saving ideas such as strawberry pots or growing strawberries in containers which hang from the ceiling are great options. Whole areas of a home or just a windowsill may also be dedicated to growing strawberries indoors, but be sure not to overcrowd the plants lest they become susceptible to disease or mold issues. The key ingredient to growing strawberry houseplants, of course, is sun exposure. Whether indoors or out, strawberries need at least six hours of sun per day, which can be provided by window-facing sun exposure or by using indoor plant lighting.Cantaloupe
It's not just the small fruits, either. You can grow a cantaloupe in a container using this video:Watermelon
Is it possible to grow watermelon in containers? See this video for how you can grow watermelon indoors: Still have reservations about growing watermelon indoors? Well, I don't blame you. Check out this new watermelon variety designed for the patio grower, and enjoy your potted plant outside. It's called "Sugar Pot Watermelon." What could be better? Keeping your watermelon in a sunny spot yet well-watered, you should enjoy this delicious fruit in later summer. (6)