Plant Hybrid Vegetable Seeds for Your Patio or Deck Garden

I am a huge promoter for planting heirloom or heritage seeds, so recommending using hybrid seeds and plants for any reason go against all my beliefs. I have always felt that vegetables taste better if they are the real McCoy and not a genetically engineered version. I also like the idea of planting seeds that have been handed down through multiple generations of plant produce. However, I have to allow an exception to my golden rule and recommend hybrid vegetables for patio or deck (container) gardens. The engineering scientists got it right when they developed hybrid vegetables for container gardens.

Why hybrid seeds are better for patio gardens

The popularity of patio or container gardens have grown in recent years and seed producers, who produced genetically engineered seeds, have been striving to develop seeds that will thrive in containers. The vegetable seeds that scientists have designed for container gardening are engineered to be drought tolerant, being able to last longer between watering. They have designed them to be smaller, thus the plant is able to adapt easily to a smaller growing space, while still producing a high yield of produce that is healthy and nutritious.

Where to buy hybrid seeds for container gardening

Many nurseries, commercial and online stores will sell seeds for container gardens. However, I have found the internet to be the best place to get seeds specifically designed for container gardening. The nurseries listed online also have a larger variety of seeds to choose from than locally run nurseries and stores. A few of my favorite online nurseries for generic seeds are Burpee, Gurney's, Park Seed Company, and Gardens Alive.

Some excellent hybrid seeds to plant

Brupee offers the Bushsteak Hybrid Tomato, which is a dwarf tomato plant that produces big meaty fruit. In the summer of 2005, this hybrid was featured in The Best of Fine Gardening magazine.

Gurney'sBush Pickle Hybrid Pickling Cucumber is idea for container gardening. This plant produces a heavier yield due to the closer spacing of blooms so you are bound to have plenty of cucumbers. Customers have given this cucumber a four star rating.

Park Seed Company has the Ornamental Pepper Black Pearl, which not only is good to eat, but makes a great ornamental container plant. This pepper was the 2005 winner of the Fleuroselect quality Mark award and the 2006 All-American Selection award. The leaves are black and the fruit changes from black to red when fully matured.

Gardens Alive offers Lettuce Dazzle for container gardening. This variety of lettuce is great for zones three through nine. It has a light green and reddish color that can also be used as an ornamental; however, you will want to harvest this lettuce, as it tastes delicious.

Other related gardening articles:

Growing Lettuce for Your Salad

Gardening Tips from a Non-Traditional Gardener

Growing Hungarian Black Pepper