Small Space Garden

You can grow a surprising amount of food or flowers, in very limited confines, with the right soil and proper drainage, some clever planning and design strategy.

First, you need to decide WHERE you are going to plant your small space garden.

If you're going to dig up an area outdoors, make sure you have good, well drained soil, a half day sunlight then till the soil and remove all evidence of weeds. You'll want to add compost, rock phosphate or bone meal, and some green sand to supply sufficient nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Add some starter fertilizer like Osmocote.

If you opt for a small space container garden, decide first what you plan to grow which will give you a general idea of how many containers you'll need. Then, determine if the containers will be kept indoors, outdoors or a mix of both.

You can select from a large variety of container possibilites, but try to keep each container to a minimum capacity of 15 quarts, as containers that are too small restrict root growth and tend to dry out too quickly.
Containers should have 1/2 inch drainage holes, for adequate drainage and make sure that the bottoms of the containers are not placed on a flat surface that would prevent drainage.

Small space container gardens do best when you use a soilless potting mix which you can purchase from your local garden supply center.

1.Grow your own organic vegetables and herbs, indoors or out, year round.

2 Grow your garden in containers, if you live in urban areas, an apartment or you just aren't able to plant 'in ground'. Container gardens are practical solutions to small space living conditions.

3.Design a garden that is as visually pleasing as it is practical.

Which vegetables are you going to plant in your Small Space Vegetable Garden ?

Beans
Beets
Broccoli
Brussel Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cucumber
Eggplant
Garlic
Lettuce
Onion
Pepper
Radish
Spinach
Squash
Tomatoes

Most of these vegetables require an average pot size of 5 gallons, so you will have to decide ahead of time, how big your small space garden is going to be, or how many containers you'll be able to manage.

When possible, you can combine several vegetables in one pot, but most of these vegetables will need their own 'space', so I would advise that you select only a few of your favorites to begin with.

Garden Patch Grow Box Terra Cotta

Planting
Plant container crops at the same time you would normally plant a regular garden. Start by, filling a clean container to one-half inch from the top with the slightly damp soil mixture. (Decide if you are using the soilless potting mix or a mixture of soil, peat moss and organic composts.) Remember that the peat moss in the mixture will absorb some of the water.
Sow your seeds by following the instructions on the seed package or transplants. Label and date each container.
After you've planted, carefully soak the soil with water, and be careful not to wash out your seeds. Once seedlings begin to appear, thin your seedlings to obtain proper spacing.
Remember that if you are growing something that requires a cage, stake or other support, such as tomatoes, snap beans and such, to put them in place while the plants are small so you do not damage the roots.

For small space outdoor gardens, use the same principles as you would in a large outdoor garden, but on a much smaller scale.

Earthworm castings are the best imaginable potting soil for greenhouses or houseplants, as well as gardening and farming. Castings will not burn even the most delicate plants and all nutrients are water-soluble, making it an immediate plant food.
Analysis of earthworm castings reveal that it is much richer in plant nutrients than just plain soil, with about two to three times more calcium and five times more nitrogen, as well as higher concentrations of phosphorus and potassium.
More than just a great plant fertilizer, castings are also a terrific plant growth enhancer and the gardener's ultimate compost. Earthworm castings are clean and odorless and can be used indoors and outdoors to provide a much needed boost to all of your plants.

Worm Castings 15 lb

Garden containers can be made of clay, wood, plastic, metal, or even recycled materials. Containers for small space vegetable gardens need to be big enough to support your plants when they are fully grown, have adequate drainage possibilities, and if they are recycled, they should never have held any kind of product that could be considered toxic to plants or people.

A few garden container suggestions include barrels, flower pots, large water jugs, window boxes, large baskets plastic lined (be sure you have drainage holes punched in the plastic lining for drainage purposes.)

Talavera Planter Pot, 7 3/4" Tall
Assorted Colors

Vegetable Planter | Flower Planter | Outdoor Planters
Self Watering Red Planter Box!

Ceramic Planter Set

For florals and ornamental plants, I prefer planting my gardens in containers. I can group them with my vegetables and space them in several areas outdoors to maximize the color combinations and curb appeal. It helps with weeding and watering. And, I just like it better.

Wildflower Seeds
1000+ Partial Shade

Some of my favorite selections for small space flower gardens include;

Begonia
Coleus
Geraniums
Impatiens
Lobelia
Marigolds
Periwinkle
Nasturtiums
Pansies
Petunias
Salvia
Snapdragons
Zinnias

Jiffy 5032 Professional Greenhouse 25-Plant Starter Kit

These varieties are easiest to start a small space flower garden. I prefer young plants, rather than seeds, when planting my small space container flower gardens, since I tend to wait too late into the season.
Plant these using the same instructions as the small space vegetable garden.

Japanese Blood Grass Plants-Imperata 'Red Baron'-3" pot

I find that, there's no time like the present, to start a small space garden. It doesn't matter if there's a foot of snow outside in the middle of winter, or it is the hottest most unforgiving days of summer, if you want to grow your small space garden indoors, you can start anytime.

Pasadena Window Box Planter-24"

One of the easiest small space garden containers I've run across is, a bag of potting soil.

All you need is a bag of potting soil, some earthworm castings and some trans-plantable young plants.
Earthworm castings will provide the extra nutrients and fertilizer to the potting soil and will not harm or burn the young plants.

Holes, for drainage, will need to be punched into the bottom of the bag. After doing this, place the bag where you want to leave it, place it with the holes to the bottom and cut open the top side of the bag. Add some of the earthworm castings and mix into the potting soil.

Go ahead and plant your annuals, leaving room between each plant, for them to spread and grow. Once you've planted, carefully soak the soil, being careful not to displace your young plants. Check that the holes you've punched are providing adequate drainage and if need be, punch a few more holes. You don't want water to 'stand' in the bag or the plant roots will rot and the plants will die.

There's now a new "take" on the 'Garden In A Bag" .....

Garden in a Bag Organic English Thyme Grow Kit

Blooms in a Bag Lavender Herb Garden Kit

Tomato Grow Bags Made of Double Layered Felt Like Fabric. 18 Inches in Diameter 14 Inches High. Fabric Allows Air to Circulate Around Roots. Two
(2) Bags in This Package.

Blooms in a Bag Heirloom Mini Tomato Garden Kit