5 Fruits And Vegetables You Can Grow In Hanging Planters

It’s time to take your container garden off the ground. Growing vegetables and fruits in hanging baskets frees up space in your garden so that you can grow even more plants in a small space. Or even if you’re not worried about space, growing food crops in a hanging planter is still a fun way to add visual interest to your garden. who says veggies can’t be as beautiful as flowers?

1. Cherry Tomatoes

Good news: cherry tomatoes are one of the easiest plants for new gardeners to grow and they’re one of the prettiest veggies to plant in a hanging basket. Choose a determinate (bush) variety, such as Tumbling Tom, that will stay compact as it trails down the sides of the basket. Plant one plant per basket since tomatoes are water and nutrient hogs.

2. Mexican Sour Gherkins

As an alternative to growing regular cucumbers, which can weigh down your hanging basket (unless you harvest them when small), try Mexican sour gherkins. These tiny fruits that resemble mini watermelons are similar to cucumbers in taste, though are actually not a member of the cucumber family. They’re great for pickling, salads, cocktails, or even eating by the handful. Place your basket in a sunny spot and watch the magic happen.

3. Herbs

You can grow almost any herb in a hanging basket—basil, parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, lavender, chives, and mint are some good ones to start with. You can even plant several herbs in one basket. Just be sure to plant the tallest varieties in center so as not to shade out others.

4. Peas

Peas are one the earliest veggies you can harvest each spring. Consider growing them in a hanging basket if you don’t have your garden soil prepped in time for planting—or just because it’ll make a visually appealing addition to your garden. Water daily to make sure they don’t dry out.

5. Strawberries

Growing strawberries in a hanging basket is no different from growing them in a pot. Small, sweet alpine strawberries are a good variety to choose since they’ll tolerate partial shade, bear fruits all summer, and require little maintenance. Strawberries have shallow roots, so be sure to water frequently to avoid drought-stressed plants.