It doesn’t take a lot space to enjoy gardening and growing food. With a little research and creativity, many delicious foods can be grown in a couple raised beds, in patio containers, or even in a kitchen window. Here are a few ideas to get the imagination flowing.
- Herbs
Pick a favorite herb or two (or three) to grow in the kitchen window sill. This is a good way to get started gardening. Growing something in a place that is a visible part of everyday life makes it easier to give it the appropriate attention and care. Another low maintenance reason to grow herbs is that they can be used as needed and otherwise left to grow. The other plants on the list will have a harvest that will spoil or bolt if not dealt with in time.
- Cucumbers
When square footage is lacking, think about growing up instead of out. Cucumber vines will grow out if given enough space, but they are also happy on a trellis and growing up. I picked cucumbers as an example because they are a favorite in our house, but melons and squash can also be grown on a trellis. The fruit would have to be supported too though or they’ll get too heavy and break off before they are ripe. Peas and green beans like to grow vertically also.
- Tomatoes
Tomatoes grow very well in a container on a bright patio. They love sunshine and well drained soil. It is significantly easier to control growing conditions for a container garden or raised beds than a traditional, in-ground garden. Some tomato plants are indeterminate, meaning they continue to grow throughout the season unlike determinate plants that have a set mature height and stop. Indeterminate tomato plants will also grow tall on a trellis and continue to provide fruit throughout the growing season. Tomatoes fresh from the garden are an absolute treat. There’s a t-shirt that says “store bought tomatoes taste like disappointment” and I agree with my whole heart!
- Lettuce
Lettuce also grows well in a container but prefers a shadier spot. In the Pacific Northwest, lettuce is easy to grow from seed. It doesn’t need warm temperatures to germinate and it grows fairly quickly. Lettuce cut straight from the garden adds something extra special to meals. Store bought lettuce cannot compete with the crispness and crunchiness of freshly picked lettuce.
- Strawberries
Strawberries are our family’s most favorite thing to grow on the patio. We have plenty of outdoor space and I still choose to grow my strawberries in a container. In our area, they can be invasive and quickly fill a yard or garden. I personally prefer to keep anything that has the potential to take over, like lemon balm or mint, confined to a pot. The blossoms are dainty, sweet, and pretty to look at. But let’s be honest, the best reason is that they are delicious. It’s so fun to be able to reach out the back door and grab some berries!
Hopefully this provides some inspiration to try something new. Feel free to share your tips for small space gardening in the comments and keep the creativity alive.
If you enjoyed this post featuring the word Five, here are a few more blog posts to check out:
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