FREE Delivery On All Orders Over £40

FREE Delivery On All Orders Over £40

  • 6 min read
  • 03.03.2025

5 Crops to Grow in Small Spaces

sincerely media Agr1YTrzYPI unsplash 1 scaled

Just because you have a small garden, balcony, or even just a few pots on a windowsill doesn’t mean you can’t grow your own food! With the right crops, even the smallest spaces can provide a surprisingly abundant harvest. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced grower looking to maximise your space, these five vegetables will thrive in compact areas and containers.

Radishes – Quick and Easy

Radishes are one of the best crops for small-space gardening. They grow quickly, require minimal maintenance, and don’t take up much room. You can sow radish seeds in shallow containers, window boxes, or even between other plants in raised beds. In as little as four weeks, you’ll have crisp, peppery radishes ready to harvest!

Top Tips for Growing Radishes in Small Spaces:

  • Use a container at least 15cm deep.
  • Sow seeds thinly and keep soil moist for rapid growth.
  • Harvest regularly to free up space for new sowings.

Chillies – A Compact Powerhouse

Chillies are perfect for small-space gardening as they thrive in pots and can even be grown indoors on a sunny windowsill. They produce an impressive yield from a single plant, adding a spicy kick to your homegrown meals.

Top Tips for Growing Chillies in Small Spaces:

  • Use a pot at least 20cm deep with good drainage.
  • Place in a sunny spot and water regularly.
  • Pinch out early shoots to encourage bushy growth and more fruit.

Dwarf Beans – High Yield in Small Pots

Dwarf beans are a fantastic crop for container gardening. Unlike climbing varieties, they stay compact but still produce plenty of tender beans. They are great for small gardens, patios, and even balcony rail planters.

Top Tips for Growing Dwarf Beans in Small Spaces:

  • Choose a container at least 25cm deep.
  • Keep soil consistently moist and feed with an organic fertiliser.
  • Harvest regularly to encourage continued production.

Dwarf Peas – Sweet and Delicious

Like dwarf beans, dwarf peas offer a compact and productive option for small gardens. They are easy to grow in pots or raised beds, providing fresh, sweet peas that taste incredible straight from the plant.

Top Tips for Growing Dwarf Peas in Small Spaces:

  • Use a container at least 20cm deep and provide a small support.
  • Keep soil evenly moist and don’t let plants dry out.
  • Pick peas regularly to encourage more pods to form.

Lettuce – A Continuous Harvest

Lettuce is a great crop for small spaces because you can grow it almost anywhere – in pots, window boxes, hanging baskets, or even tucked between other plants. With cut-and-come-again varieties, you can enjoy fresh leaves for weeks without replanting.

Top Tips for Growing Lettuce in Small Spaces:

  • Choose a shallow container (at least 15cm deep).
  • Water regularly and keep plants shaded during hot weather.
  • Harvest outer leaves frequently to encourage new growth.

Make the Most of Your Small Space

These five crops prove that you don’t need a big garden to enjoy fresh, homegrown vegetables. With careful planning and the right varieties, even the smallest space can become a productive edible garden. Want more inspiration? Check out our range of seeds perfect for small-space and container growing here. Happy growing!

Nelly Digital marketing assistant web _DSF4272 1 scaled
Meet the author
Nelly

Nelly works in the She Grows Veg marketing department and is an incredible cook! She's learning how to grow veg fast in her very own container garden. Her favourites so far are the Dwarf Sunflower called 'Sunspot' and our Dwarf Pea called 'Tom Thumb'.

web shutterstock_1431712394 scaled
Swiss Chard Fordhook Giant LAH 2024 web IMG_5258 scaled
Kale Jardin Crimson 1
Cover Pea Telephone web _DSF1452 scaled
Sweet Pepper Spiralus LAH 2024 web _DSF3867 scaled

Get social with @shegrowsveg

We want to hear all about your growing journey with our seeds! Follow us on the socials and be sure to share how you’re getting on with us. We love hearing from our customers!

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOLLOW US ON PINTEREST

Get the latest • Get the latest • Get the latest • Get the latest • Get the latest • Get the latest • Get the latest • Get the latest • Get the latest • Get the latest • Get the latest • Get the latest • Get the latest • Get the latest • Get the latest • Get the latest • Get the latest • Get the latest • Get the latest • Get the latest •

Sign up for heirloom seed offers and the latest updates

By signing up to our mailing list, you can get access to exclusive varieties, expert advice on ways to get the best yield and above all, be part of a great community of like-minded growers.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.