Planning a Vegetable Patch in A Small Garden

A vegetable patch doesn’t need to sprawl across acres of land to produce delicious, homegrown produce. With a little planning and creativity, even the smallest garden can become a thriving veg patch. At She Grows Veg, we’ve mastered the art of making the most of compact spaces, and we’re here to share our expertise to help you create a productive garden that fits your lifestyle.

Whether you’re working with a small yard, balcony, or urban patio, follow these tips to plan a small vegetable garden that’s both efficient and rewarding.

Measure Your Growing Space

Start by understanding the exact dimensions of your growing area. This step is crucial for selecting the right planters, crops, and layout. Measure the length, width, and any vertical growing space, like walls or fences.

Why Measuring Matters

• Optimized Layout: Knowing your space lets you avoid overcrowding and ensures every plant has room to grow.
• Cost Efficiency: You’ll buy only what you need, from pots to seeds.
• Maximising Potential: Small spaces can often surprise you with their potential when planned well.

Use graph paper or online garden planning tools to sketch out your space. Mark sunny spots, shady areas, and access to water to help guide your choices.

Maximise Your Veg Patch with Clever Planning

Even the tiniest garden can accommodate a variety of crops with some clever strategies.

Vertical Gardening Ideas

• Wall-mounted planters: Install pockets or racks on walls to grow salad greens, herbs, or microgreens.
• Trellises and arches: Perfect for climbing vegetables like peas, beans, and cucumbers.
• Hanging baskets: Ideal for tomatoes, peppers, or trailing herbs.

Raised Beds and Borders

• Use raised beds to organise your crops neatly and improve drainage.
• Incorporate borders along pathways or fences for extra growing room. These can be used for compact crops like carrots or lettuce.

Choose Your Crops Carefully

When space is limited, it’s essential to choose crops that provide maximum yield and suit your lifestyle.

Fast Growing Vegetables

• Radishes
• Lettuce
• Peas

Vertical Growing Vegetables

• Beans
• Courgettes
• Cucumbers

Growing Microgreens

• Microgreen Bulls Bloodbeet
• Microgreen Radish
• Microgreen Rocket

Choosing Space-Saving Planters

The right planter can make all the difference in a small garden. Here are some excellent options:

Raised Bed Containers

Compact and versatile, raised beds keep your garden organised and easy to maintain.

Ladder Planters

Create tiers of planting space, perfect for herbs, salad greens, or trailing crops.

Herb Wheels

A modern take on traditional herb gardens, these circular planters allow you to grow multiple herbs in one spot.

Planting Pockets for Walls and Fences

Maximise vertical space by installing fabric or plastic pockets. Great for herbs or leafy greens.

Plant in Borders

Edges of paths and fences can host smaller plants, such as carrots, beets, or lettuce.

Succession Sowing

Plan for continuous harvests by sowing seeds every few weeks. This technique ensures fresh crops throughout the growing season.

Choose veg seeds for small gardens from She Grows Veg

Ready to start your small vegetable garden? You can explore our curated selection of seeds, specially chosen for compact spaces HERE. Whether you’re after fast-growing salad greens or vertical climbing veggies, She Grows Veg has the perfect seeds to suit your garden. Check out our sowing calendar to plan your planting season with confidence. Happy growing!