Vegetables require sunny locations and will vary in their productivity depending on the type of crop. Check seed catalogs for new varieties developed for this purpose. Flowering cabbage and flowering kale are attractive relatives of the standard varieties. Lettuce is available in a variety of colors and leaf textures. Red chard is another popular container plant because of its bright red stalks.
Many gardeners like to have herbs growing near the kitchen where they are handy to use in cooking.
Basil, chives, marjoram, and thyme are all easy to grow in containers. Many gardeners keep mint in containers since it is an aggressive plant that spreads over the garden. Some herbs are perennial and can be moved indoors for winter use or held in the container until next year. Many gardeners dig a hole in the garden to store pots of perennial herbs until the next season. Nancy Anderson, Assoc.