Best vegetables to grow in pots in the UK

You can grow plenty of edible plants without a full garden. The key is choosing a container with drainage, using suitable compost, watering regularly and matching crops to your sunlight.

Start with salad leaves, radishes and parsley

Salad leaves are rewarding in window boxes and larger containers. Radishes are quick-growing and ideal for a first sowing. Parsley is useful in the kitchen, although germination can take time.

Choose the right container

Use containers with drainage holes and enough depth for roots. Bigger pots generally dry out less quickly. Carrots need a deeper container, while compact tomato varieties require a generous pot, regular feeding and plenty of sunshine.

Mind the frost

Tender crops such as tomatoes and French beans should not go outdoors until the risk of frost has passed. UK conditions vary from one garden to another, so use sowing dates as approximate guidance.

These are approximate UK-wide recommendations. Check local frost risk and individual crop requirements. For more detailed advice, see the RHS vegetable container guide.