13 Mini Edibles to Grow

Tiny tomatoes, carrots and cucumbers are delicious and nutritious. Grow these mini edibles in window boxes, pots or hanging baskets and reap big flavor.
By: Lynn Coulter
Related To:
Container Gardening Garden Types Outdoor Rooms Gardening Plants Vegetables

Photo By: Courtesy of Park Seed

Photo By: Courtesy of W. Atlee Burpee & Co.

Photo By: Courtesy of W. Atlee Burpee & Co.

Photo By: Courtesy of Park Seed

Photo By: Courtesy of W. Atlee Burpee & Co.

Photo By: Courtesy of W. Atlee Burpee & Co.

Photo By: Courtesy of W. Atlee Burpee & Co.

Photo By: Courtesy of Sakata Home Grown

Photo By: Courtesy of Sakata Home Grown

Photo By: Courtesy of Sakata Home Grown

Photo By: Courtesy of Sakata Home Grown

Photo By: Courtesy of W. Atlee Burpee & Co.

Photo By: Courtesy of W. Atlee Burpee & Co.

'Mama Mia Giallo' Italian Sweet Peppers

Plant 'Mama Mia Giallo' sweet peppers in a half whiskey barrel, large pot, or a garden bed; this 2014 AAS winner produces over 2 dozen fruits on each compact plant. The meaty peppers are delicious grilled, roasted or fresh, and the plants are resistant to tobacco mosaic virus.

'Caracas' Carrots

At just 2 to 3 inches long, 'Caracas' carrots are small enough for container gardens. These gourmet favorites are deep orange and ready to harvest in about 57 days.

'Baby Bubba' Okra

At half the size of other varieties, 'Baby Bubba' dwarf okra is great for containers. The pods grow to full size in full sun. Direct sow the seeds, and plan to harvest in about 53 days.

'Tumbling Tom' Tomato

You don't need to stake 'Tumbling Tom' tomatoes. The weeping stems trail up to 2 feet over the edge of containers, and they're loaded with bright red, 1 to 2-inch fruits. Try this determinate variety in window boxes or hanging baskets, too.

'SweetHeart' Lettage Caraflex Hybrid

This small-head cabbage /lettage stores for 8 to 10 weeks. Use the tender, sweet leaves in slaws, sandwiches and salads. Plant in spring or fall; heavy yielding 'SweetHeart' forms 1 to 1-1/2 lb. space-saving heads.

'Fresh Pickles' Cucumbers

Plant this cute cuke variety, 'Fresh Pickles', in a patio pot or small garden bed. Each vigorous plant bears up to 55 3- to 5-inch fruits that are perfect for pickling. The vines resist downy mildew.

'Fairy Tale' Hybrid Eggplant

'Fairy Tale' is an award-winning, compact variety that bears clusters of marbled fruits. Each creamy-tasting, purple and white "egg" measures 4 to 5 inches long.

'Kandy Korn' Pumpkin

'Kandy Korn' bears up to 10 diminutive pumpkins per plant. Thanks to its bushy growth habit, this variety is a space-saver in the garden. The deep orange pumpkins measure about 4 inches in diameter and have strong handles, so they're good for carving or as fall decorations.

'Robin' (BEF132) Beets

Hybrid 'Robin' is a dark red baby beet with short, dark green tops that grow upright. It's highly resistant to bolting and great for eating fresh or processing.

'Little Dipper' Butternut Squash

'Little Dipper' is a butternut squash with a vigorous, vining habit. You could call the 2-lb. fruits "personal-sized," as they're ideal for small servings.

'Little SnowPea Purple'

Early-maturing 'Little SnowPea Purple' produces lots of shiny, bright green pods that are flat, crunchy, and delicious. These dwarf snow pea plants grow to 24 inches in the garden, but stay smaller in containers.

'On Deck' Sweet Corn

'On Deck' is the first sweet corn developed for container gardening. The 4 to 5-foot tall plants produce 2 to 3 bicolored ears per stalk. Wait until the soil temperature is 55 degrees F. or above to plant; then sow 9 seed per 24-inch container.

'Muskateer' Honeydew Melon

Although they grow on regular-sized vines, 'Muskateer' honeydews are the perfect size for single servings. If space is a problem, trellis the vines. The 1 to 1-1/2 lb. melons mature earlier than full-size varieties.

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