These plants thrive in containers and will yield delicious early harvests, and are perfect for the beginner gardener.
Here are the 3 best fruits to grow in pots if you’re a beginner:
Strawberries
These herbaceous perennials are extremely productive and tasty. They make a perfect choice for gardeners who wish to store their harvest, but less desirable if you want fresh fruits all year long!
Pots: Pots are an important factor in growing these plants. A 18 inch wide container can hold up to 12 of the 25 plant bunches typically sold (or get two in order to hold all 25), while shallow dishes under ten inches deep prove effective too. Pocketed strawberry pots are not that effective as they are hard to get watered, however they save some space.
Soil: Strawberries need very good drainage in order to avoid crown rot. They also require high amounts of nutrients, so feed them with a rich growing medium.
Blend three parts light potting soil mix for every one part compost or manure that you use when planting your strawberries ( weigh out all ingredients first!).
Light: Place your containers in a sunny spot for at least 8 hours of direct sunlight every day, and they should last you years.
Water: Strawberry plants require regular watering!
Varieties: The most important thing to consider when planting your strawberry garden is selecting the right varieties. Container growers should use ‘Tristar’, or any variety of alpine strawberries; while those with more land may benefit from an Everbearing plant such as Ozark Beauty (which produces one crop per year).
June-bearers do not require quite so much space, making them better suited for smaller gardens where you only want one harvest each spring!
Pruning: Bountiful Berries: Strawberry runners will usually pop up anywhere from one to three years after planting, depending on the variety. These little plants can be removed whenever they are ready.
Fertilizer: It’s important to time your fertilizer applications for optimal yield and quality. Apply a low-nitrogen fertilizer in early spring, late summer and midsummer.
Hardiness: USDA zones 3-9, depending on the variety.
Blueberries
Blueberries are a delicious fruit that can be grown easily in containers. They like acidic soil, so if you have an alkaline yard or garden then blueberry plants might not grow well for you! However, these acid loving veggies do quite nicely when planted on soils with higher levels of potassium than normal.
The berries ripen from June through August depending upon variety and weather conditions; making them perfect to enjoy all summer long.
Pot: Although not the most popular fruit, blueberries are worth a try. In fact they have an impressive life span of up to 20 years and possess extensive root systems that allow them hold their own against poor soil conditions! Use a larger waterproof pot which is at least 22 inches in diameter and 18 inches deep.
Soil: Though it may not seem like the most important thing, having good soil for your plants is essential. Peat based potting soils are best at approximating acidic conditions that blueberries require in order to thrive and produce fruit.
Sphagnum peat moss with an equal measure of compost will provide you moisture as well as fertility while also maintaining pH levels near neutral.
Light: Blueberries need lots of light! Provide them with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight!
Water: The best way to water blueberries is by letting the soil dry out a little and then watering it. This encourages healthy roots, which in turn makes for more productive plants with fruit that ripens at its peak flavor during summertime when there’s high heat all around us!
Varieties: When shopping for blueberries, make sure to select varieties that are appropriate for your climate. In warm regions I recommend ‘Sharpblue’ and in colder areas go with something like Jelly Bean – a 2ft tall compact mound or other self-pollinators such as Sweetheart who can grow less than two feet tall!
Pruning: To promote strong growth, remove wood that was growing for three years in early spring. By pruning lightly after harvest and shaping plants with light cuts you can control their size!
Fertilizer: A fertilized environment is of huge importance to the success of a plant. Top-dress containers with granular fertilizer formulated for acid loving woody plants in early spring and again June, when it’s most needed!
Hardiness: USDA zones 2-8, depending on variety.
Figs
Fig trees are a versatile plant that add an extra touch of flair to any outdoor space. In cold regions, it is possible for you to protect your fig tree over winter by growing them in containers and allowing them ample sunlight throughout the day while experiencing less frost damage – however this will also mean having patience as they take longer than most other plants do!
Pot: Containers are an important factor when growing figs. The container’s size should be as small and deep as 16 inches across, which allows for fruit production over vegetative growth to take place in a suitable sized space on your plant!
Soil: Figs are a sensitive crop and will not do well in poor, wet soil. Make sure to always use good quality potting mix with plenty of drainage for the best results!
Light: Sunny, bright location, with at least 6-8 hours of sunshine per day.
Water: Keeping fig trees hydrated is important for their health. However, in hot weather the containers will dry out quickly so you must water regularly or risk problems with fungus and rot!
Varieties: Figs are a fantastic fruit that can be grown in many different climates. Some varieties, like ‘Brown Turkey’ and Chicago Hardy’, do well with cold weather while others such as Black Mission or Conadria bear two crops: an early-summer harvest which is borne on last year’s twigs; and a larger one from new growth.
Pruning: Container figs are best maintained at about six feet tall. Shorten the stems after the main harvest.
Fertilizer: Too much fertilizer can encourage nonproductive vegetative growth. You should apply a granular woody plant food every spring to promote the healthiest and quickest growing plants possible!
Hardiness: Zones 5-7, depending on variety.