Have you ever wanted to grow your own food but don’t know where to start? It’s easier than you might think! A DIY salad bar may be the perfect way to get you in the garden and eating healthier too. The Round Wood Whiskey Barrel Planters Set of 6 provides the perfect home for these 6 vegetables without taking up too much room in the garden or patio. Plus, they have pre-drilled drainage holes.
Tomatoes: With so many sizes, colors and flavors to choose from it's no wonder tomatoes are one of the best-loved summertime vegetables. Choose a large container because they need to be planted deeper than most plants. Make sure to choose a sunny spot for your tomato planter and use a support system like a cage or stake.
Zones: All Zones
Light: Full Sun
Soil Needs: Deep, moist, well-draining soil. Fertilize every few weeks.
Watering: Daily up to twice daily if it’s very hot or windy
Cucumbers: There are a number of varieties available. They can grow as small as 1 to 2 inches or as long as over a foot! A bush variety of cucumber makes smaller fruit and doesn’t need a trellis but will benefit from a support like a tomato cage. You can still grow the vining variety in a large container (at least 18” diameter) with a trellis.
Zones: 4 to 11
Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Needs: Good drainage, moist, fertilizer-enriched soil
Watering: Regular watering of at least 1 inch per week. Drier plants produce bitter fruit.
Lettuce: Generally, greens are a spring crop that prefer cool weather. More varieties are available now that withstand heat. If you’re in a warmer climate choose a shady spot that avoids harsh afternoon sun. Look for seed mixes that include an assortment of lettuce colors, shapes and textures. Snip off the leaves every few days and more will spring up.
Zones: 4 to 9
Light: Partial Shade
Soil Needs: Moist, fertile soil
Watering: Check daily and water as needed to stay moist but not waterlogged
Swiss Chard: These colorful greens taste like a mix between spinach and kale. Swiss Chard grows a little slower in summer but can last longer than other greens with regular watering. They can be eaten raw or cooked like spinach.
Zones: 3 to 10
Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Needs: Nutrient-rich, well-draining
Watering: Regular watering of 1 to 1.5 inches per week
Arugula: Like other greens, Arugula doesn’t like the scorching heat. Since these plants don’t require a deep pot, they can grow in a smaller container that’s easier to move to a shady spot in the afternoon. This fast-growing vegetable has a peppery taste that brightens up any salad.
Zones: 3 to 11
Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Needs: Well-draining, moist
Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, watering once the top 1” of soil feels dry
Green Onion: With a milder onion taste, these versatile vegetables can be used raw as a garnish or cooked in dishes. They grow much faster than larger onion varieties and are ready to harvest 60 to 80 days after sowing.
Zones: 6 to 9
Light: Full Sun
Soil Needs: Sandy, well-drained
Watering: Check daily and water as needed to stay moist but not waterlogged
We hope this guide gets you thinking about getting tasty vegetables from your own backyard this summer. And if you don’t care for one of the vegetables we listed, swap it for one you do. Mix and match to what suits your needs!