You can absolutely grow enough food to feed your family, even on a small piece of land. Maybe not 100% of your fruit and veggie needs—but honestly, I don’t know anyone who grows all their own food.
This is a long article, so grab a cup of tea, a pencil, and some paper for notes. Some of my suggestions aren’t the “proper” way to garden—just go with it, don’t stress over perfection, and let’s get started.
The truth? Growing some food, even a little, beats growing none. Let’s look at how to maximize small spaces with smart plant choices, succession planting, and creativity.
Keeping Notes
The best place to start a garden? On paper. Don’t over-plan to the point of never starting, but if you want to garden yearly, notes will save you headaches.
I love pencil-and-paper planning. Over time, my notes have become a crucial gardening tool. If you need help organizing, The Gardening Notebook is perfect.
This 120-page printable notebook becomes your custom planner. Print pages as needed, add notes, and over time, it’ll be as unique as your garden.
Start Small
If you’re new to growing food, don’t till your whole yard and install 22 raised beds. A couple of well-tended beds will produce more than 20 neglected ones.
Starting small means early wins—which keeps you motivated. Overwhelm leads to quitting (trust me, I’ve been there).
“Small” might mean:
- A few herbs in windowsill pots.
- Swiss chard tucked into flower beds.
- One raised bed this summer.
Whatever it is, growing food is worth it—even on a tiny scale.
Find a Location
Most veggies need full sun—at least 6 hours of direct light daily.
Pick a spot with 6+ hours of sun and room for a few beds. I like 4’x8′ beds—easy to manage. Longer than 8′? Fine. Wider than 4′? Harder to harvest.
I’ve seen:
- Yards with 4’x8′ beds feeding small families, surrounded by swings and furniture.
- Gardens along three sides of a fence (2.5′ deep).
- Front-yard gardens (unless your HOA forbids it).
Use Edible Landscaping
Fancy term for swapping ornamentals with edibles. Plant a fruit tree instead of a shade tree. Some fast-growing varieties fruit in just a few years.
Great edible landscape plants:
- Swiss chard, kale, herbs, edible hibiscus, onions.
- Perennials like scarlet runner beans.
Any fruit/veggie works—just note that harvested plants may look messy. But mixed with ornamentals, it’s fine.
Build Good Soil
Soil is your garden’s foundation. On a tight budget? Spend on soil, not fancy seeds.
Raised beds:
- Some use landscape fabric/plastic for weed control—I skip it. Cardboard (which decomposes) works better.
- Weed control isn’t hard with a few beds, so skip plastic barriers. Use existing dirt and build on top.
- Buy garden soil (don’t stress over DIY mixes).
Containers: Use potting soil. DIY recipes exist, but for beginners, store-bought is easier.
How to Build Raised Beds
We used wood; my sister used cinder blocks (longer-lasting). Also seen galvanized metal beds. Wood is cheapest but lasts 5–10 years.
Steps:
- Loosen soil with a fork/shovel (no need to flip it).
- Lay cardboard, then add 6″ of garden soil.
- Cardboard decomposes, letting roots reach original soil.
Mulch and Compost
Mulch (top layer): Wood chips, hay, grass clippings, leaves, shredded paper. Conserves water, suppresses weeds.
Compost (mixed in): Feeds plants.
If using store-bought soil, wait to add compost until mid-season (“topdressing”). Start a compost pile now for next year.
Options:
- Livestock bedding (if you have chickens/goats).
- Trench composting (bury scraps like banana peels).
- Worm composting (great for small spaces).
Where to Get Seeds/Plants
- Gardening friends: Most love sharing extras and advice.
- Farmers’ markets: Support local growers; many sell seedlings. Message ahead to reserve plants.
- Feed stores: Sell seeds (often bulk/cheap) and transplants.
- Grocery/big-box stores: Don’t worry about “organic” or “heirloom” labels—just get seeds.
- Online: Delays expected due to high demand.
Container Gardening
No yard? Use containers! Skip expensive pots—upcycle:
- Molasses tubs (from feed stores).
- Old yogurt containers (for herbs/lettuce).
- Tires (not ideal long-term but work in a pinch).
Indoor Gardening
Even with outdoor space, I grow indoors:
- Microgreens (when it’s too hot for salad greens).
- Sprouts occasionally.
- Herbs and sweet potato vines.
Succession Planting
Stagger harvests by:
- Planting varieties with different maturity dates.
- Sowing seeds every 2–3 weeks.
- Replanting after pulling spent crops.
I combine all three to maximize space.
Plant Choices: One-to-One vs. One-to-Many
One-to-one: Plant one seed, get one harvest (e.g., storage onions).
One-to-many: Plant one seed, harvest repeatedly (e.g., tomatoes, kale).
Some “one-to-one” plants are actually one-to-two (e.g., carrots—eat roots and greens).
Watering
After soil, watering makes or breaks your garden.
Tips:
- Water soil, not plants (prevents disease).
- Deep watering > frequent shallow watering (encourages deep roots).
- Calculate needs: 1 sq ft × 0.62 gal = weekly water per bed.
- Hand-watering? Time how long to fill a 5-gal bucket—that’s your per-bed duration.
- When to water: Evening (less evaporation), unless powdery mildew is present (then morning).
Grow Vertically
Use trellises for vining plants. Ideas:
- Chain-link or wooden fences + chicken wire.
- Cattle panels + T-posts (our arches).
- Pallets (stand upright; add wire for support).
Best Plants for Small Spaces
Beans (Pole): 5 plants/person. Vines produce all season.
Beets: Grow fast; edible greens. Tuck between plants.
Brassicas (Broccoli/Kale): Broccoli gives side shoots; kale is a workhorse.
Carrots: Quick-growing; greens are edible.
Cucumbers: Need trellises. Plant 1–2 of each type (pickling/slicing).
Herbs: Perennials (sage, rosemary) save space. Harvest often.
Leafy Greens: Harvest outer leaves (lettuce, chard).
Okra: Heat-loving; great along fences.
Peas (Snap): Cool-weather vines; 5 plants/person.
Peppers: 2–3 plants (hot or sweet) per family.
Tomatoes: Indeterminate = continuous harvest. Determinate = big batches.
Skip (If Space Is Tight)
- Garlic (takes up room for single bulbs).
- Potatoes (fussy; need depth).
- Winter squash (long growing season).
Final Tips
- Tomatoes: Start with 2 varieties to learn preferences.
- Sweet Potatoes: Grow vines for greens and tubers.
- Squash: Summer squash (like zucchini) is prolific; winter squash needs space.
Just Start
If you’ve read this far—you’re ready. Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Start small, learn as you go, and improve each year.
FAQs:
1. How much space do I need to start a garden?
You don’t need a large space to start growing food. You can start small, with a few herbs in pots, one raised bed, or even just a small section of your yard. A 4’x8′ raised bed is a great starting point. The goal is to start small and build as you gain experience.
2. What types of plants are best for beginners?
Beginner-friendly plants include herbs (like basil and parsley), leafy greens (such as spinach and kale), tomatoes, beans, and carrots. These plants are easy to grow, don’t require too much attention, and yield quick results.
3. How can I prevent weeds in my vegetable garden?
Mulching is an effective way to prevent weeds. Organic mulches like straw, grass clippings, or wood chips help block sunlight from reaching weed seeds and keep the soil moist. Additionally, make sure to remove weeds manually before they spread.
4. How do I know how much water my plants need?
Watering deeply is more effective than shallow watering. Water your garden once a week with 1–1.5 inches of water, and adjust based on the weather. A general rule is to water the soil, not the leaves, to prevent disease. Early morning or evening is the best time to water, as it reduces evaporation.
5. What is succession planting, and how does it help?
Succession planting involves planting different varieties or crops at intervals to ensure continuous harvests throughout the growing season. For example, after harvesting a crop like spinach, you can replant with something else, like beans. This maximizes space and increases productivity.
6. Can I grow food indoors if I have no outdoor space?
Yes, you can grow food indoors! Try growing herbs, microgreens, and small leafy greens like spinach or lettuce. You can even grow sweet potatoes or tomatoes in pots if you have enough light. Use containers or small indoor garden setups to maximize your space.
7. Should I start with seeds or seedlings?
If you’re new to gardening, it’s easier to start with seedlings, as they give you a head start. However, growing from seeds is more cost-effective and rewarding. You can experiment with both depending on your experience and available space.
Conclusion:
Growing your own food is a rewarding and practical way to connect with nature and provide healthy, chemical-free produce for you and your family. Start small, learn along the way, and adjust your methods each year. Whether you’re growing on a windowsill or in a full garden, there are always ways to maximize your space and yields with simple strategies like succession planting, vertical gardening, and selecting the right plants for your environment.
Remember: gardening doesn’t have to be perfect. Embrace the process, and you’ll find joy in watching your plants grow, adapt, and thrive. Happy gardening! 🌱🍅
