Maintaining a home garden gives you access to fresh fruits and vegetables. But what if you’re living in an apartment without a spacious backyard?

With container gardening, you can grow your own crops even if you don’t have an acre of land. Let’s get you started on the basics of this healthy hobby.

Container gardening basics

Prepare your location, tools and soil based on what you want to plant.

Prepare your gardening tools

First, gather basic gardening tools that you will need to plant and care for your crops. If you are serious about your container garden, invest in high-quality tools that will last a long time and work as you need them to.

You will need tools like:

• Gardening gloves to protect your hands
• A roundhead shovel for digging larger holes
• Shears for pruning browning leaves
• A trowel for weeding and digging small holes
• Watering can or hose, depending on how close you are to a water source

Prepare the soil for your container garden

A container garden requires store-bought organic potting soil. When purchasing organic soil, look for something aerated, nutrient-rich and weed-free.

• Aerated soil means air circulates through it well. Avoid dense soil, like clay or sandy soil.
• Your garden soil must be free of obstructions like stones.
• Soil must be rich in organic matter, like compost or aged manure. Organic matter will provide nutrients that your crops need to grow healthy and strong.

Fruit you can grow in containers

Not all plants will grow in container gardens, but these 13 fruits and berries will thrive in containers if you care for them properly.

Bananas

Dwarf banana plants are perennials so you only need to plant them once. Prune the plant back then keep them indoors when winter comes to protect them from frost.

Dwarf banana plants must be planted in a large container with drain holes.

Blueberries

You’ll need at least two plants to grow blueberries in a container. Blueberries will produce from June through August.

You will need a pot that is 22 inches in diameter and 18 inches deep to grow blueberries. Use an acidic soil that is peat-based.

Cantaloupe

Cantaloupes must be planted in a large container. Treat them as if you were growing them in a garden and add a trellis or stick to support the fruit. The added support will give the vines a place to grow.

Currants

Currants should also be planted in a large pot. You can use currants to make delicious homemade jams.

Once you have a container, water them regularly and add an adequate amount of compost mixed into the soil. Currants can be grown as bushes or trained to go up a trellis.

Dwarf fruit trees

You can grow dwarf fruit trees indoors.

If you have a dwarf version of a fruit tree, you can grow almost any fruit in a container. Leave dwarf fruit trees outdoor in the summer, then keep them indoors during winter.

Choose from dwarf fruit trees such as:

• Apples
• Cherries
• Peaches
• Pears
• Limes
• Meyer lemons
• Oranges

Figs

Figs can be grown in a pot that is 16 inches wide. Use soil that is well-drained.

Figs are drought-tolerant, but they require full sun. Water them every day during the hottest periods of summer since water evaporates faster in a container garden.

Gooseberries

Gooseberries require similar care as currants do and they can be used for pies.

Plant gooseberries in a large pot, then follow the same soil and fertilizing requirements for growing currants.

Mulberries

You’ll need a dwarf mulberry tree so you can grow it in a container garden.

Note that the ripe fruit will leave stains on your porch, so keep the plant in an area that you don’t mind getting stains on.

Passion fruit

Passion fruit is a perennial vine and you only have to plant it once. Like tomatoes, passion fruit needs a sturdy trellis to support its heavy harvest.

Ripe passion fruit can be served plain. You can also use passion fruit to make juice, syrups, sauces, jams and jellies.

Pineapple

To grow pineapples in your container garden, cut the crown off of a pineapple and let it soak in water for one to two days.

Plant the watered crown in a gallon-sized container and place it in a sunny spot.

Strawberries

Strawberries are perennial, meaning you only have to plant them once. When winter comes, bring your potted strawberries inside to protect the roots from frost.

Everbearing strawberries are best for container gardens because they can be harvested twice a year: First in June, then again in late summer.

To grow strawberries in a container garden, use a pot that’s 18 inches wide, which can hold at least 10 to 12 plants. Your container needs excellent drainage and around eight hours of direct sunlight.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are used in cooking as a vegetable, but they are technically considered a fruit.

When your tomatoes start to bear heavy fruit, add support so they can grow properly in containers.

Watermelon

While a surprising addition to this list, with the right conditions you can also grow watermelons in your container garden.

It’s best to use a self-watering container for watermelons because they require a lot of water. Watermelons can be grown indoors or outdoors as long as you give them enough sunlight daily.

Grow your own berries and fruits in a container garden to save a bit of money on groceries!

Sources:

MorningChores.com

SparkPeople.com

MedicalNewsToday.com