Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Small space gardening
Want to garden but have a small space? Not a problem. Gardening in small spaces requires you to maximize the space you have and keep potential problems under control.
The challenge is not planting too much. Fewer plants, properly spaced, will actually give you a better yield than squeezing many plants in the same space. That means pumpkins and squash are pretty much out.
If you’re growing in containers, look for plants that are labeled “compact”, “short stature” (no jokes please, I’m 5’2, if I stretch). And also “tidy” plants.
Herbs are an awesome choice, they keep giving and you can dry them too! Greek oregano, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and, yes, thyme. Basil is fantastic but it’s best not dried.
Mint is actually best in a container to keep it contained! There are some great choices now for tomatoes and peppers. ‘Little Bing’ tomato grows just 2 ft. tall and delivers a lot of little cherry deliciousness.
I would suggest planting in containers at least 12 to 15 inches in diameter. I talked about the ‘Pot o peno’, an AAS winner, that delivers some fabulous little jalapenos.
If you’re looking for a sweet pepper, consider ‘Just Sweet F1’. While it grows to 3 ft tall and about 15 inches wide, it’s tidy, which means bushy with strong stems.
Of course, annual flowers are always fabulous in containers if you’re just looking for color and texture.
Lettuce, radishes and peas are also great options.
For more on small space gardening check out this article from the University of Minnesota Extension.
