Growing vegetables in urban planter boxes is a rewarding endeavor, but setting realistic yield expectations is key to satisfaction. Your harvest will depend on several crucial factors: the vegetable varieties chosen, the size and depth of your planter boxes, sunlight exposure, and your consistency with watering and feeding.
For leafy greens like lettuce and spinach, you can expect a continuous "cut-and-come-again" harvest, providing handfuls of fresh greens every week from a single box. Compact tomato varieties, such as patio or cherry tomatoes, can yield several pounds per plant over a season in a sufficiently large container (at least 5 gallons). Bush beans are prolific producers; a few plants can supply multiple meals. Peppers and eggplants will produce a smaller but valuable number of fruits per plant. Herbs like basil and parsley offer a steady supply for culinary use.
To maximize your yield, prioritize deep containers (12+ inches for most crops), use high-quality potting mix, ensure at least 6-8 hours of direct sun, and implement regular watering and fertilization. Succession planting—replacing harvested plants with new seeds—extends your harvest window. Remember, urban gardening's value isn't just in quantity but in the unparalleled freshness, flavor, and joy of growing your own food, even from a modest planter box harvest.