A guide to vegetables for a small garden

Conquer Cramped Corners: Delicious Veggies for Tiny Gardens

Remember that shoebox-sized yard at Rose Cottage? Well, for eight glorious years, it became a veggie wonderland, proving that size doesn’t matter when it comes to growing your own food. And guess what? My love for maximizing space hasn’t grown out of proportion with my new, bigger garden. Every inch still counts, especially when it comes to nurturing delicious greens and vibrant veggies. So, fellow small-space enthusiasts, gather ’round! Let’s delve into the magic of vertical gardening and compact wonders, transforming your postage stamp plot into a bountiful feast.

Vertical Champions

• Pole beans: Stringless or shelling varieties, climbing gracefully up trellises or netting, offering a sky-high harvest without hogging ground space.
• Cherry tomatoes: Tiny bursts of sweetness cascading down hanging baskets, window boxes, or even sturdy tomato towers. No need for staking, just pure sun-kissed goodness.
• Cucumbers: Train their tendrils to climb fences or trellises, keeping space clear for other leafy marvels below. Burpless hybrids offer extra sweetness without the burping bellyache.

Compact Kings and Queens

• Bush beans: No sprawling monsters here! These space-saving gems deliver a concentrated harvest without needing support, perfect for edging pathways or filling in gaps.
• Leafy greens: Lettuce, spinach, kale, and even Swiss chard thrive in containers or raised beds, offering a continuous supply of vitamins and crunch in minimal space.
• Herbs: Basil, dill, parsley, and thyme add aroma and flavour to your culinary creations while doubling as miniature border beauties. Tuck them into corners of raised beds or fill those window boxes with fragrant delights.

Bonus Round: Hidden Gems

• Squash: Don’t be fooled by their sprawling reputation! Compact bush varieties like pattypan or zucchini offer delicious rewards without taking over your precious square footage.
• Melons: Cantaloupe or honeydew? Vertical gardening comes to the rescue again! Train their vines up sturdy supports and watch your tiny garden yield juicy, sweet surprises.
• Strawberries: Hanging baskets become miniature vertical fields for these juicy gems. Add a touch of rustic charm and enjoy the sweetest bounty all summer long.

Remember

• Sun exposure: Identify your garden’s sunny spots and match your veggie selection accordingly.
• Container magic: Utilize pots, hanging baskets, and raised beds to create additional growing space without sacrificing precious ground.
• Vertical wonders: Trellises, netting, and tomato towers are your allies in maximizing yield while minimizing footprint.

So, ditch the space limitations and embrace the vertical revolution! With the right plant choices and creative gardening techniques, your small garden can blossom into a delicious playground, proving that big things truly do come in small packages. Happy vertical veggie adventures!

I have also written this article on the topic of growing vegetables in a small garden. You may also want to read this article about small garden veg plots, written by Gardener’s World.