The best veg for pots is....?

[superrachy]

Please can someone help me choose the best veg for pots. I have no garden, only a balcony. It isn't even a large balcony, but over the past 2 summers i have tried growing many flowers as well as the following veg...

runner beans
radishes
cauliflowers
purple sprouting brocolli
lettuce (several varieties)
tomatoes
cucumbers
aubergines
peppers
chillies
blueberries
baby sweetcorn
peas
strawberries
grapes
herbs
garlic

...i actually think GYO should do an article about me, as I dont think anyone could cram as many pots and grow-bags into a small space as i have managed!!

Not all of these have been sucessfull though!

Are there any recommendations for container veg - i would love to grow parsnips, turnips and khol rabi, but have been deterred by the rubbish radishes i got (or rather didnt get) last year! Does anyone have any tips on growing root vegetables in containers, or is it best to be avoided?

[Rachel]

My parents have a very small garden and have had amazing success growing potatoes. They do this in a black plastic bag, starting at 1 ft high and adding a handful of soil and rolling up the sides as they grow. The bags take up no room at all and they seem to get a good crop every year!

[V&W]

Root veg growing in pots

Hi there,

We grew parsnips and carrots in troughs this year and had a reasonable harvest however we used multi use compost. I have been advised by my Dad to grow them in sand next year and use a liquid feed to supplement their growth when the foliage starts to appear. Having not tried this method yet I don't know how successful it will be. In addition next year we will be using a taller container to hopefully grow them longer than 3"s. But thinking about it, it seems to be the smaller the produce in the supermarkets, the more expensive it cost. Hope this helps, good luck

V&W

[nick the grief]

Hi there,

We grew parsnips and carrots in troughs this year and had a reasonable harvest however we used multi use compost. I have been advised by my Dad to grow them in sand next year and use a liquid feed to supplement their growth when the foliage starts to appear. Having not tried this method yet I don't know how successful it will be. In addition next year we will be using a taller container to hopefully grow them longer than 3"s. But thinking about it, it seems to be the smaller the produce in the supermarkets, the more expensive it cost. Hope this helps, good luck

V&W

My Son Grew Carrots in tubs for years, he's 15 now so has his mind on other things .... Footbal We always used a 50:50 mix of Sand & multi purpose and they were fine. You caould always use a short carrot like the round one instead