Some of the most enjoyable moments in the garden come from simply picking something fresh and eating it straight away. A sweet strawberry, a crisp pea pod or a sun-warmed tomato can turn an ordinary walk through the garden into a small but satisfying harvest.
Creating a grazing nibbles planter is a simple and rewarding way to grow vegetables and fruit that can be picked little and often. With just a few carefully chosen plants, it is possible to create a container or raised bed filled with easy snacks throughout the summer months.
Four particularly good plants for this purpose are:
- Alpine strawberry
- Sugar snap pea
- Sunflower ‘Waooh’
- Tomato ‘Tumbling Tom’
These plants grow well together and provide a steady supply of small harvests that can be enjoyed straight from the garden.
Planting in April
April is a good time to plant up a grazing container or small bed as the weather begins to warm and young plants start to establish themselves.
Choose a sunny spot where the plants will receive plenty of light throughout the day.
Preparing the Container or Bed
- Fill the container with fresh compost or well-prepared garden soil.
- Ensure the container has good drainage.
- Water the compost lightly before planting.
Alpine Strawberries
Alpine strawberries are perfect for grazing. Unlike larger strawberry varieties, they produce small but intensely flavoured fruits over a long period.
Plant them around the edges of the container so the fruit can spill gently over the sides. Their low growing habit makes them ideal for easy picking.
Because other plants in the container may grow taller, it is helpful to trim nearby stems occasionally so the strawberries are not shaded out. This allows the plants to continue producing fruit throughout the season.
Sugar Snap Peas
Sugar snap peas bring both height and fresh flavour to the planter. Their crisp pods can be eaten whole and are especially enjoyable when picked young.
Sow the seeds directly into the compost and provide a small support such as canes or a trellis for the plants to climb. As they grow, delicate tendrils will attach themselves naturally.
Pods can be picked as soon as they are plump and sweet.
Sunflower ‘Waooh’
Sunflower ‘Waooh’ adds colour and structure to the container while also attracting pollinators to the garden.
Sow the seeds directly into the compost and allow the plants to grow upward through the centre of the container. Their cheerful yellow flowers bring height and brightness while helping to create a lively summer display.
Tomato ‘Tumbling Tom’
Tumbling Tom tomatoes are ideal for containers as their stems cascade gently over the sides. The small cherry tomatoes develop throughout the summer and are perfect for snacking straight from the plant.
Plant the young tomato plant into the centre or edge of the container and water regularly as it grows.
A Garden for Grazing
One of the pleasures of this small planting scheme is its simplicity. There is no need to wait for a large harvest. Instead, the garden offers small rewards day by day — a strawberry here, a pea pod there, a handful of sweet tomatoes in the sunshine.
With a little care and occasional trimming to keep the strawberries in the light, this small container can become a delightful source of fresh garden nibbles throughout the season.
And sometimes the best harvest is the one enjoyed immediately, straight from the plant, while standing quietly in the garden.
Further Reading: How to Start Your Own Vegetable Patch, How to Plan and Design Your Dream Vegetable Patch, Why Choose Sow It Grow It and Feast for Your Garden?, How to Choose the Perfect Flower Pot for Your Crops, Recipe Garden Pots: Grow a Pimm’s No.1 Garden in One Pot, Recipe Garden Pots: Grow a Green Risotto in One Pot, Recipe Garden Pots: Pizza in One Pot
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