4 ways to do gardening and grow veggies even if you have less space

Growing your own fruits and vegetables can be truly rewarding and also help you with your nutrition by giving you access to fresh produce. However, not everyone has access to sprawling gardens or backyard plots. Whether you live in an apartment, have a small patio, or only a few square feet of yard, you can still cultivate a productive garden.

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For smaller garden areas, you need to be smart about picking the right plants. With some creativity and smart planning, it’s possible to grow more in less space. A small space doesn't have to mean a small harvest. By growing upward, selecting the right plants, planting smartly, and using containers effectively, you can turn even the tiniest patch into a thriving edible garden.

Embrace vertical gardening

One of the most efficient ways to grow more in a small area is to think vertically. Instead of relying solely on horizontal garden beds, vertical gardening involves using upward space walls, trellises, hanging baskets, or even repurposed furniture to cultivate plants.

Climbing plants like beans, peas, cucumbers, and tomatoes thrive with proper vertical support. Meanwhile, wall-mounted planters or tiered shelves can be used for herbs, strawberries, lettuce, and more.

A simple trellis or A-frame structure can double your growing area without taking up additional ground space. Vertical gardening also improves air circulation, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.

Choose high-yield, compact varieties

When space is limited, every plant must earn its keep. One smart approach is to choose plant varieties bred specifically for small spaces. These include dwarf or bush varieties that produce abundant harvests without spreading too far. For example, compact tomato cultivars like ‘Patio Princess’ or ‘Tiny Tim’ grow well in containers, while mini bell peppers, baby carrots, and bush beans are all designed to thrive in confined areas.

Leafy greens such as spinach, arugula, and kale are also excellent choices, as they can be harvested repeatedly through a method known as "cut-and-come-again."

Practice intensive planting and succession sowing

Intensive planting involves placing crops close together in a way that maximizes productivity without overcrowding. This technique helps shade out weeds, retain moisture, and make the most of every inch. Square foot gardening, for example, divides garden space into 1-foot squares and prescribes exactly how many of each crop can be grown in that square. This system helps reduce waste, simplifies planning, and boosts yields.

Succession sowing is another effective method where you stagger planting times so that as one crop is harvested, another is already growing or ready to be planted. This keeps your garden productive throughout the season.

Use containers and raised beds

Container gardening is ideal for small spaces — from balconies to windowsills — and gives you control over soil quality, drainage, and mobility. Almost any vegetable or fruit can be grown in a container if it's large enough and has proper drainage. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, lettuce, and herbs are particularly well-suited. Hanging baskets can host strawberries or trailing cherry tomatoes, while grow bags are a great solution for root crops like potatoes and carrots.

Raised beds, even if compact, provide deeper soil for root development and improve accessibility. They warm up faster in the spring and drain better than traditional beds, leading to quicker growth.