Container gardening is an excellent option for those with limited space or for gardeners looking to add a touch of green to their patios, balconies, or window sills. In Lynchburg, which falls under Zone 7a, the climate offers a good range of temperatures suitable for growing a variety of vegetables in containers. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, here are the top 10 vegetables perfect for container gardening in Virginia’s Zone 7 weather.

1. Tomatoes: Tomatoes are a favorite among container gardeners due to their versatility and productivity. Choose compact varieties like Patio Princess or Bush Early Girl for containers. Ensure your containers are at least 5 gallons in size to accommodate the deep root systems of tomato plants.
2. Peppers: Bell peppers, chili peppers, and sweet peppers thrive well in containers. They require full sun and well-draining soil. Varieties like California Wonder or Lipstick are ideal for Virginia’s Zone 7 climate.
3. Lettuce: For fresh salads, grow lettuce in containers. Leaf lettuce varieties such as Buttercrunch or Red Salad Bowl are easy to grow and can be harvested continuously by picking outer leaves. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
4. Spinach: Spinach is a cool-season crop that does well in Virginia’s spring and fall weather. Plant spinach in containers with nutrient-rich soil and provide partial shade during hot summer days. Varieties like Bloomsdale or Baby’s Leaf Hybrid are suitable choices.
5. Carrots: Compact varieties of carrots like Thumbelina or Short ‘n Sweet are perfect for container gardening. Use deep containers to accommodate the long taproots of carrots and ensure the soil is loose and well-draining to prevent root deformities.
6. Radishes: Radishes are fast-growing vegetables that thrive in containers. They prefer cool weather and can be grown in spring and fall. Varieties such as Cherry Belle or French Breakfast add color and crunch to salads.
7. Green Beans: Bush-type green beans like Provider or Blue Lake are excellent choices for container gardening. Provide a trellis or support for the plants to climb and ensure containers are placed in a sunny location for optimal growth and yield.
8. Cucumbers: Compact cucumber varieties such as Bush Champion or Patio Snacker are well-suited for containers. Use a trellis or cage to support the vines and ensure consistent watering to prevent bitter fruits.
9. Herbs: Culinary herbs like basil, thyme, parsley, and mint thrive in containers and can be grown together in a single large container or separate pots. Place them in a sunny location and harvest regularly to promote new growth.
10. Zucchini or Squash: Choose bush-type varieties of zucchini or squash for container gardening, such as Bush Baby zucchini or Honey Bear acorn squash. Ensure containers are at least 5 gallons in size and provide support for the plants as they grow.

When container gardening in Virginia’s Zone 7, it’s essential to monitor soil moisture, provide adequate sunlight, and fertilize plants as needed. Regularly check for pests and diseases and take appropriate measures to keep your container garden healthy and thriving. With these top 10 vegetables, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest right outside your doorstep, even in limited spaces.

Everything you need to do for a successful growing season

We are finally in the thick of it: Planting season! Colder weather crops have been in the ground for a few weeks, you’re likely seeing little lettuce sprouts here and there, and you have a glorious two months of planting ahead of you. Is there anything better? Well, maybe harvest season when we can reap the benefits of all of our hard work.

Don’t miss our March garden checklist if you need to play a bit of catch-up.

Indoors
You likely already have tomato and pepper seedlings growing and thriving under grow lights—stay on top of them and transition them to larger pots as needed. Even with our beautifully warm weather that we have had recently, resist the urge to move them outside. The chance of a late frost is still high.

Start okra, squash, cucumber, melon, and watermelon seeds indoors. If they are vining crops (like watermelon), plant them in individual peat pots as they don’t transplant well if the roots are disturbed.

Take this time to draw out any landscaping projects. Are you expanding your garden? Increasing your flower bed space? Jot down your notes and planned dimensions to ensure you don’t overplant.

Outdoors
This is where the fun begins! Scatter any annual flower seeds to create a beautiful flower border around your perennial flowers. If they are really small seeds—like poppies—they don’t need covering.

You can also sow quite a few seeds directly outdoors this month, such as beets, carrots, Swiss chard, kohlrabi, cabbage, lettuce, collards, turnips, radishes, spinach, bunching onions, and peas. For carrots, plant an abundance of seeds and plan to thin as they grow.

Plant any new trees or shrubs by the end of this month—aim to plant native plants when possible!

Cover cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower with row covers to protect them from pests like the cabbage both.

If you planted potatoes in March, you are likely seeing growth. Continue to mound them with fresh soil and compost as needed!

Give your compost pile a good turn or two on warm-weather days. Or, if you haven’t started a compost pile yet, start one—you’ll be cutting back on food waste and doing your soil a favor.