Gardening with limited space
Whether you live in an apartment, have a small courtyard, or simply share your space with others, it doesn’t have to stop you from gardening.
Here are some tips to help you garden in your small spaces:
Choose compact and dwarf varieties
Look for vegetable varieties specifically bred for small spaces or containers. These plants are often more compact and require less space to grow. Opt for bush or compact varieties of tomatoes, peppers, beans, and cucumbers.
Vertical gardening
Utilise vertical space by growing vegetables on trellises, fences, or walls. Vining plants such as peas, beans, cucumbers, and even tomatoes, can be trained to grow upwards, saving valuable ground space. Vertical gardening maximises your growing area and makes your garden look a little different.
Container gardening
Containers are a versatile solution for small spaces. Use pots, hanging baskets, or even repurposed containers such as buckets and crates. Select vegetables suitable for container gardening, including salad greens, herbs, radishes, and small root crops. Ensure proper drainage and provide adequate sunlight for your container plants.
Herb gardens
Herbs are ideal for small spaces as they can be grown in containers, or small patches of soil. Plant a variety of herbs such as basil, thyme, rosemary, and mint, which provide culinary benefits and add fragrance and beauty to
your garden.
Hanging gardens
Make the most of hanging baskets or vertical planters to create a hanging garden. These can be suspended from walls, balconies, or pergolas. Grow trailing or cascading vegetables including cherry tomatoes, strawberries, or trailing herbs in these hanging gardens.
Window sill gardening
Take advantage of sunny window sills by growing herbs, microgreens, or small vegetables in pots or trays. Window sill gardening is convenient and allows you to have fresh produce within arm’s reach, and solves the out of sight, out of mind issue.
Remember to provide adequate sunlight, water, and nutrients to your plants, regardless of the limited space. Regularly monitor and adjust care accordingly. With careful planning and the right plant choices, even those with the smallest spaces can enjoy thriving gardens.
