Grocery shopping has gotten complicated. You never know what is going to be in stock, and ordering it isn’t a guarantee you’ll get it. So much of food shopping right now is hit or miss. One way to try to have a bit more control is to grow some of your own food. Growing produce eliminates some of the guessing game when it comes to feeding your family. No need to worry the store won’t have what you need in stock. You don’t even need to worry it will rot in the fridge before you use it. Just pick it as you need it. Along with easing part of the stress of food shopping, plants are really good for our mental health too, so why not try growing your food?

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Three clay pots containing green plants

We have done our fair share of gardening around here. I’ve had one growing north of my house, and I’ve grown in containers out front by the porch. My favorite method is container gardening. By planting in a container, rather than in the ground, you eliminate weeds and get more control over the plant’s growing conditions. Container gardening is accessible to most people. You can place your plants outside, on a porch or balcony, or find a good spot indoors for them instead.

I’m not going to go into the details and “how-to” parts, but here are some of my favorite resources for getting started.

7 Secrets For a Successful Container Garden

How Not To Kill Plants In Containers, 13 Most Important Things To Know

How To Get Started Container Planting

Burpee Garden Advice Center – Container Gardening

Burpee Garden – Gardening on a Deck or Patio

What Should I Grow?

I’m focusing on the plants I saw recommended the most often and as the easiest place to start. Vegetables and herbs are recommended the most often. You can grow fruits too, but they didn’t really come up in the “easy foods to grow indoors” search.

Easiest Herbs to Grow In Containers

  • Basil
  • Cilantro
  • Chives
  • Parsley
  • Oregano
  • Mint
  • Rosemary
  • Thyme
  • Sage

You can buy live plants at a local nursery, or you can stay out of the store and order some seeds. Burpee.com has good quality seeds, and they are still shipping. They even have a page with all the herbs they recommend for containers in one place.

Tomatoes and cucumbers cut up on a serving board

Easiest Vegetables to Grow In Containers

  • Lettuce
  • Tomatoes
  • Spinach
  • Zucchini
  • Potatoes
  • Garlic
  • Onions
  • Green Beans
  • Cucumbers
  • Chard

Again, live plants are a great option, and easier in many cases, but if you are wanting to limit your store trips, ordering seeds online is a great solution. Burpee has a page full of container favorite vegetables too.

Bonus Fruit

A small partially ripe strawberry growing from a mason jar

The one fruit I did see mentioned was the strawberry. Strawberry plants are pretty small to start with, so you can use a variety of containers (including hanging ones!) You can grow one plant or plant multiple. You are likely much better off starting strawberries from a live plant, but I know people have success with seeds also.

So, what would you start with? Herbs? Some Vegetables? I always have chives and basil growing in containers. Lettuce and zucchini are my picks for veggies. I might try cucumbers also. Oh, and I always have garlic growing in my yard. Comment below and let me know your plans! Or, find me on Twitter and share there.

Signature "Leigh" with coffee stains