8. Nasturtiums
If you thought that nasturtiums were nothing more than flowers, you’re far from alone. Their appearance does allow them to double as a beautiful addition to your balcony or patio, but they are actually edible.
These flowers do pack a huge peppery punch, so be aware of this before you try them for the first time. You can eat the flowers, young leaves and flower buds, but some people stick to the petals because they’re typically milder tasting. WARNING: When this plant gets heat stressed, the flowers and leaves become even more pungent.
Nasturtiums are extremely easy to grow and care for. They prefer soil that isn’t very rich, and they can be neglected without sacrificing their lives. Keep them in partial sun on your balcony, patio or indoors for best results.
Photo by F Delventhal
9. Summer Squash
No matter which variety of squash you prefer, it will do well in a container. However, summer squash is particularly well-suited to this type of growing environment. This plant is extremely hardy, and it will provide you with an average of three squashes per week as long as you take care of it properly. Simply make sure that you harvest the squashes each time they’re ready to make room for new squashes to grow.
Photo by Janet Beasley
The plants on this list are just the beginning of what you can grow from a container. In other words, it’s truly not necessary to have a dedicated garden space or a lot of room in order to grow some of your own food, herbs and spices. Even if you only have space to grow one or two plants, this will help you cut your food bill and will teach you how to garden so that you possess this knowledge when it becomes critical to your survival.