Grow Food in Small Spaces

Want to grow summer vegetables and herbs, but don’t have a lot of space? No problem. With the right plants and container, you’ll be surprised how much you can grow in just a few feet. Here are tips to help you grow food in small spaces.

Photo copyright Kevin O’Connor

Let’s start with your container. As long as you have good drainage, there are many items that can be used for containers. Above is an Instant Garden container from Easy Gardener, which was sent for me to review after I participated in P. Allen Smith’s Garden2Blog event.

This portable container is as easy to open as a camp chair … making it convenient for urban gardens, apartment balconies and other small spaces. There is a drain hose that allows excess water to flow off a balcony, rather than straight onto your deck.  The height is ideal for those who don’t want to bend over when gardening.

Some might find the planter’s legs rather cumbersome, because they don’t allow anything underneath. Personally, this didn’t bother me. However, I would have preferred the drain hose had been a more neutral color.

Easy Gardener recommends a mix of 50 percent organic compost with 50 percent good native soil. I planted mine with Gardener & Bloome potting soil and fertilizer, which has worked well. Note: you’ll probably need to water twice a day in hot temperatures. Fill the container where you’ll keep it. Otherwise, the planter will be difficult to move later.

Photo copyright Kevin O’Connor

Selecting plants. I’m pleased to report the Instant Garden holds quite a few plants … if you choose wisely. Consider growing patio tomatoes that don’t grow very large, and different varieties of favorite herbs. Here’s what I planted in mine:

Top Row

• ‘Tumbling Tom Yellow’ Tomatoes: (45 days) – Patio variety perfect for containers. Small yellow fruit cascades over the edge. Two plants.
• ‘Silver King’ Lemon Thyme: Lovely variegated thyme with delicious lemon taste. Two plants.
• ‘Dark Leaf’ Parsley: Nice flat leaf variety. One plant.

Middle Row

• ‘Amethyst’ Basil: Deep purple black leaves with wonderful taste. Attractive herb. One plant.
• ‘Super Bush’ Tomato: (70 days) – Small sturdy plants with tangy red fruit. One plant.
• ‘Purple Ruffles’ Basil: Frilly violet foliage makes lovely vinegar. One plant.
• ‘Arp’ Rosemary: More cold tolerant than many rosemary varieties. One plant.

Bottom Row

• ‘Window Box’ Roma Tomato: (70 days) – Small patio variety good for cooking and canning. One plant.
• ‘Genovese Emily’ Basil: Dwarf Genovese type with fragrant foliage. Keeps longer in fridge. One plant.
• ‘Ararat’ Basil: Heirloom with purple-tinged foliage and spicy-sweet licorice flavor. Very pretty. One plant.
• ‘Mammoth’ Basil: Huge ruffled leaves with intense aroma. Great for many culinary uses. One plant.

Photo copyright Kevin O’Connor

Experiment with different colors and textures. ‘Amethyst’ basil grows alongside ‘Silver King’ lemon thyme and ‘Tumbling Tom Yellow’ tomatoes.

Photo copyright Kevin O’Connor

Look for ways to save space. ‘Tumbling Tom Yellow’ cascades over sides of planter with yellow cherry tomatoes.

Photo copyright Kevin O’Connor

Like a particular herb? Grow different types. This planter has four types of basils. Above, ‘Mammoth’ basil grows alongside the purple-tinged ‘Ararat’ heirloom.

Photo copyright Kevin O’Connor

Not all tomatoes grow large. ‘Window Box’ Roma provides lots of tasty tomatoes in a small space.

Regardless of the vegetables you select, always provide proper growing conditions. The warm-season plants grown in this Instant Garden planter require at least six hours of sunlight daily, and should be planted after the last frost.

For best results, use fertilizers specifically for tomatoes, which supply calcium and other nutrients for optimal growth.

This planter is proof that you can grow food in small spaces. With a little effort — and in a little space — you’ll be snacking from your own small-space food garden soon.

For more about the Instant Garden.