How to create an edible garden when you have a small yard

You’ve dreamed of turning your yard into a lush food-producing oasis. Perhaps you’ve had visions of stepping onto your patio before dinner to snip fresh chives and basil onto your plate. 

The good news is that almost anyone can grow food, and even though we will be discussing gardens for free standing properties on small blocks. There is no reason that you cannot start a mini edible garden on the balcony of an apartment, just adjust to suit the environment.

1. Start Small

Wanting to grow your own food doesn’t mean that you should turn the entire yard into a vegetable garden. Begin by adding one raised bed and see how things go.

You may be surprised both by how much food you can grow in a tiny space and by how much work it actually takes to keep things going. If you’re hungry for more next year, add another bed or two.

2. Plan Your Garden

Before you spend money or build anything, take time to get to know yourself and your space. Where is the best light? How much time do you have each week to spend on your gardening?

How much food do you really want to grow? Ask yourself these questions before you put your shovel into the ground.

3. If You Don’t Have a Backyard, Find an Alternative

You don’t need a big backyard to grow food. Patios and decks can make for great gardens. They can even offer advantages over traditional beds since they often have plenty of light.

You may also want to consider building a front yard vegetable garden. It’s a great way to bring the neighbours together.

4. Get Good Soil

Soil is the most important factor in the health of your garden. Instead of buying bags of the cheapest stuff from the hardware store, do some research and find the best way to get compost-rich organic soil for your garden.

Whether you build your own soil or buy it from a reputable supplier, your plants will thank you.

5. Choose Easy-To-Grow Crops

Giant leeks, Romanesco broccoli and heirloom watermelons look gorgeous in the seed catalogue, but hold off on planting them in the first few years. Instead, choose tried-and-true varieties of crops that are productive and easy to grow. 

Consult a seed catalogue from a local company to find the best varieties for your regional climate and plant crops that you eat regularly to start off with.

6. Decide Whether to Plant Seeds or Seedlings

It can be tempting to buy seedlings from the nursery or grocery store, but, in some cases, planting seeds is even easier. Growing vegetables from seed also saves a lot of money, opens up a world of plant varieties and can make for healthier plants.

7. Invest in Some Garden Tools — but Not Too Many

Vegetable gardens don’t need a lot of tools. In fact, you may find that the best “tools” out there are a good pair of garden gloves and your hands. Start with a trowel, weeder and a few other essentials, then build your collection from there (you may even find a few bargains at a local garage sale).

8. Try Planting a Square-Foot Garden

Gone are the days of planting vegetables in long, skinny rows. Instead, try building raised beds and planting them using the square-foot method described in Mel Bartholomew’s book All New Square Foot Gardening.

This technique, which divides crops using a grid, creates patchwork quilt-style gardens that grow more food in less space.

9. Stay on Top of Weeds

Square-foot gardens usually have surprisingly few weeds. Still, you’ll find a few in there. Rather than straining your back over giant dandelions, try pulling weeds out when they’re relatively small. A once-per-week weeding is the perfect way to keep things in shape.

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10. Welcome the Birds and the Bees

Pollinator animals, like bees and butterflies, are your allies in gardening success. They provide an essential service by helping plants set fruit — so having lots of them means that your cucumbers and zucchini will be way more plentiful.

Pollinators are sensitive creatures that need your help to thrive. Welcome them by planting attractive flowers and by providing sources of shelter and water.

11. Don’t Forget to Label Your Crops

It’s a small detail but one that makes a big difference. Whenever you plant something, label it with a plant maker including the crop, variety and planting date. Otherwise, you may sow the same place twice before seeds emerge.

Plant markers help keep your garden organized.

12. Remember That It’s an Experiment

Treat your garden with curiosity and an open mind. If a crop fails, don’t get upset. Do some research and try to figure out what went wrong so that you can avoid the problem next time.

Successful gardeners spend years learning from mistakes and are always open to trying new techniques. Treat it as a fun and delicious experiment.

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This article via Houzz does not constitute advice; readers should seek independent and personalised counsel from a trusted adviser that specialises in property, a tax accountant and property design specialist.