For urban gardeners, patience is a virtue, but sometimes you want to see results fast. The good news is that many plants thrive in the confined space of planter boxes and grow with impressive speed. To get quick satisfaction and a lush green space on your balcony, patio, or windowsill, focus on these rapid growers.
Leafy greens are the undisputed champions of speedy harvests. Lettuce varieties like loose-leaf or romaine can provide baby greens in as little as 30 days. Spinach and Swiss chard are equally vigorous, offering continuous "cut-and-come-again" harvests. Radishes are a perfect root crop for shallow boxes, with some varieties ready to pull in just 25 days.
For a pop of color and flavor, nasturtiums are exceptional. Their vibrant flowers and peppery leaves are edible, and they germinate and bloom rapidly, often flowering within 50 days. Bush beans, like dwarf varieties, are prolific and can start producing tender pods in about 50-60 days from sowing.
Don't overlook herbs. Basil, cilantro, and dill grow quickly from seed and can be harvested repeatedly once established. For a vertical element, pole beans or compact cucumber varieties climb quickly and yield a surprising amount of food.
The key to success is using a high-quality potting mix, ensuring your boxes have drainage holes, and placing them in a spot that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight. Water consistently, as containers dry out faster than ground soil. With these fast-growing plants, you can transform your urban nook into a productive and beautiful oasis in just a few short weeks.