Menu

3 Ideas for Gardening When You Have a Small Yard

Woman holding indoor window vegetable planters

As consumer demand for fresh, affordable produce has risen, more homeowners than ever have become interested in growing their own. But with homes so tightly packed together in newer neighborhoods, finding space to design and nurture a garden can be challenging.

With a little creativity, however, you can grow fresh fruits and vegetables in your own back yard. Here are some great ideas for creating a winning garden in limited space.

Grow Upward

Some types of crops require extra space, but there are still plenty of options available. Even in a small area, some crops can thrive through the use of trellises and stakes. Tomatoes and peas grow upward rather than outward, making them ideal for limited square footage. Peas will need a trellis with a height of approximately three to four inches, while tomatoes require a tall stake to anchor them as they grow.

Zucchini and yellow squash can also be grown in a small space, since their growth can be driven up a trellis. You’ll just need to tie each individual item to the trellis by its stem to make sure it has the support it needs as it grows.

Grow in a Window

You don’t even have to go outside to grow some types of vegetables. Items like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant can be grown indoors, using the sunlight coming through a window. To effectively grow vegetables indoors, you’ll need a window that gets at least six hours of sunlight on a daily basis. You can use window boxes or hanging baskets to contain your vegetables as they grow. With the type of vegetables that grow upward, you may need to situate your boxes next to a trellis or stake as an anchor.

Ideal vegetables for indoor gardening include bush beans, bush and patio tomatoes, carrots, peas, spinach, radishes, and scallions. Indoor vegetables may not have the strength of flavor as those you plant outdoors, so be aware of this before choosing this option.

Grow Container Vegetables

Some vegetables can be grown in a small area like a patio, deck, or balcony. Called container gardening, this type of cultivation allows you to grow vegetables in a very limited space. Ideally, your containers should be placed in an area that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. Vegetables like tomatoes and peppers should be situated in an area with plenty of air circulation to prevent disease.

To ensure your vegetables flourish, you’ll need a container with plenty of room for the plant to grow, while also having holes that allow excess water to run off. As a general rule, each pot should be at least 10 inches wide and 12 inches deep. An oversized pot or large container such as a bucket would work perfectly.

You don’t need to have a five-acre piece of land to grow delicious vegetables. Using these tips, you can set up a garden in a small space and enjoy fresh vegetables throughout the year. Experiment with different types of gardening and plant options to find the right combination for your own space.