If you're looking for a "sure-fire success" plant, for me those plants are pickling cucumbers (which are just as good FRESH, by the way) and Zucchini.
Last year I planted in produce picking baskets, and couldn't believe how well the plants did!
You'll find lots more photos and info in my posts here ... just keep on scrolling, it's all garden related! *grin*
http://sweetmissdaisy.typepad.com/sassy_sweet_notes/gardening/
Here are a few photos for you from my garden last summer:
Cuc's and Zuc's did SUPER in the baskets -- but give cuc's lots of room to climb! Mine outgrew the wire "cage" I put around the basket and grew up onto the fencing around the chicken yard.
Here are baskets with zucchini planted in them -- I got the baskets at Hobby Lobby ~$2 when baskets are on sale.
I used the smaller sized baskets for flowers.
If I can grow food in small containers, you and your hubby can too!
Container plants can't take a lot of neglect, tho, so be diligent about your attention to their water needs.