When it comes to gardening in a small space, every decision counts, especially the plants you choose to grow. With limited space, focus on crops that grow fast, yield heavily, and make efficient use of your garden area. Consider “cut-and-come-again” vegetables like lettuce, kale, and bok choy, which regrow after harvesting the outer leaves. Use companion planting techniques to help maximize space and boost plant health by pairing plants that benefit one another.
Additionally, choosing dwarf or compact plant varieties, such as dwarf tomatoes or peppers, ensures you can enjoy high yields without overcrowding your garden. With a little planning, your small garden can be a powerhouse of productivity!
Top 30 plants to help grow more in your space:
Lettuce: Use tiered planters or shallow pots. Harvest outer leaves regularly for continuous growth.
Companions: Radishes, carrots, beets, and marigolds (repel aphids).
Growing tip: Harvest leaves frequently to encourage new growth and prevent bolting.
Spinach: Can be planted in hanging baskets or small pots. Prefers partial shade.
Companions: Strawberries (ground cover), radishes, and onions.
Growing tip: Spinach prefers cool weather, plant it in early spring or fall for the best results.
Kale: Compact varieties like “Siberian dwarf kale” are perfect for pots.
Companions: Garlic (repels pests), beans (fix nitrogen in soil), and dill (attracts beneficial insects).
Growing tip: Mulch around kale to keep soil moist and cool, which prevents bitter-tasting leaves.
Swiss Chard: Grows well in containers; cut leaves as needed to encourage regrowth.
Companions: Onions (repel pests), beans (improve soil), and lettuce (shares space well).
Growing tip: Cut leaves from the outer edges to keep the plant producing all season long.
Arugula: Fast growing and thrives in small spaces. Regular trimming promotes growth.
Companions: Nasturtiums (repel aphids), radishes, and carrots.
Growing tip: Succession plant every 2-3 weeks for a continuous.
Mint: Plant in a container to prevent it from spreading aggressively.
Companions: Cabbage, kale, and broccoli (mint repels cabbage moths).
Growing tip: Grow mint in a container to prevent it from spreading and taking over your garden.
Basil: Loves full sun; pinch back leaves to encourage bushier growth.
Companions: Tomatoes (enhances flavour and repels pests), peppers, and parsley.
Growing tip: Pinch off flower buds to promote leaf growth and keep the plant producing.
Parsley: Grows well in pots; harvest from the outer, larger leaves first.
Companions: Tomatoes, carrots (parsley improves their flavour), and chives.
Growing tip: Water parsley consistently, it doesn’t tolerate dry soil.
Chives: A perennial herb that takes up minimal space.
Companions: Carrots, tomatoes, lettuce, and strawberries.
Growing tip: Regularly trim leaves to encourage growth and prevent flowering. Full sun or partial shade.
Thyme: A low maintenance herb that thrives in sunny, dry conditions.
Companions: Strawberries, cabbage, and broccoli (thyme deters worms and moths).
Growing tip: Thyme thrives in well drained soil, avoid overwatering.
Tomatoes: Cherry or Dwarf tomatoes are especially good for small spaces. We like these varieties: Sungold or Orange Hat!
Companions: Basil (repels pests), marigolds (deter nematodes), and carrots.
Growing tip: Support tomatoes with cages or trellises to keep fruits off the ground and prevent disease.
Cucumbers: Grow on trellises to keep fruits off the ground and save space.
Companions: Beans (fix nitrogen), lettuce (shares space well), and dill (attracts pollinators).
Growing tip: Pinch off the growing tip once the plant reaches the top of the support to encourage side shoots and more fruit production.
Pole Beans: Train vines to climb up poles or netting.
Companions: Corn (provides a natural trellis), radishes, and marigolds.
Growing tip: Plant in full sun for the best yields. You can plant pole beans alongside a corn stalk where they will naturally climb.
Peas: Grow on trellises; they’re compact and thrive vertically.
Companions: Carrots, lettuce, and radishes (peas fix nitrogen in the soil).
Growing tip: Plant peas in early spring, as they thrive in cool weather.
Strawberries: Plant in hanging baskets or vertical planters for a cascade of fruit.
Companions: Spinach (ground cover), lettuce, and thyme.
Growing tip: Add mulch around plants to keep berries clean and deter slugs.
Zucchini: Choose climbing varieties and train them up trellises.
Companions: Nasturtiums (repel squash bugs), corn, and beans.
Growing tip: Hand pollinate flowers if necessary to boost yields.
Carrots: Grow in deep pots with loose, sandy soil. We like Parisian variety!
Companions: Onions (repel carrot flies), tomatoes, peppers and radishes
Growing tip: Sow carrot seeds in loose, well drained soil free of stones to grow straight roots.
Radishes: Perfect for small containers; they mature quickly.
Companions: Lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, and carrots.
Growing tip: Radishes grow quickly, harvest them on time to prevent them from becoming woody.
Cilantro: Plant in shallow pots; it bolts quickly, so succession planting is key.
Companions: Tomatoes, spinach, and carrots (cilantro attracts beneficial insects).
Growing tip: Plant cilantro in partial shade to prevent bolting, especially in hot weather.
Beets: Use deep containers; harvest both roots and greens.
Companions: Onions, cabbage, and bush beans (fix nitrogen).
Growing tip: Thin seedlings 3 inches apart to give roots room to grow.
Turnips: Compact and can be grown in pots; harvest when small for the best flavour.
Companions: Cabbage, peas, and nasturtiums (deter pests).
Growing tip: Plant turnips in cool weather.
Green onions: Grow in shallow pots; cut green tops for continuous regrowth.
Companions: Carrots (repel carrot flies), tomatoes, and lettuce.
Growing tip: Prefer well drained soil and benefit from consistent watering.
Peppers: Compact varieties like bell peppers or chilies thrive in containers!
Companions: Basil (repels pests), carrots, and onions.
Growing tip: Peppers love heat, plant them in the sunniest part of your garden.
Eggplants: Dwarf varieties grow well in pots.
Companions: Beans (improve soil), marigolds (repel pests), and spinach.
Growing tip: Stake eggplants to prevent the heavy fruit from bending the stems.
Dwarf Citrus Trees: Ideal for containers; produce limes, lemons, or oranges.
Companions: Nasturtiums (repel pests) and lavender (attracts pollinators).
Growing tip: Citrus trees thrive in containers with well-draining soil; fertilize regularly.
Melons (Mini Varieties): Train small melon varieties like “Sugar Baby” watermelons to grow on trellises.
Companions: Corn (provides shade), nasturtiums, and beans.
Growing tip: Grow melons vertically, and use a sling to support heavy fruits on the vine.
Garlic: Plant cloves in small pots; harvest green shoots or bulbs.
Companions: Roses (repels pests), tomatoes, and carrots.
Growing tip: Plant garlic in fall for a summer harvest, and space cloves 6 inches apart.
Potatoes: Use containers to maximize space
companions: Marigolds, nasturtiums, and chamomile.
Growing tip: Plant in loose, well drained soil, hill up soil as plants grow, and ensure 6+ hours of sunlight daily.
Pumpkins (Dwarf Varieties): Train small pumpkins like “Baby Boo” to climb trellises.
Companions: Corn (provides shade), beans, and nasturtiums.
Growing tip: Use slings made of fabric or netting to cradle the growing fruits to prevent them from falling.
Sweet Potatoes: Use vertical towers or grow in deep containers; the vines can cascade down.
Companions: Beans (fix nitrogen), onions, and spinach (shares space well).
Growing tip: Plant in loose, well drained soil with plenty of organic matter. Use trellises for vertical growth in small spaces.
Creating a high yield garden in a small space is all about smart plant selection and planning. By choosing fast growing crops, cut-and-come-again vegetables, and space saving dwarf varieties, you’ll enjoy a continuous harvest while making the most of your limited area. We make sure to utilize every space possible in our garden.
Also, by pairing these choices with companion planting techniques will increase productivity. Whether it’s growing compact leafy greens, climbing beans, or dwarf fruit trees, your garden can flourish with thoughtful choices and creative planting strategies. Remember, even the smallest garden can deliver big rewards when you choose your plants wisely!
Let’s grow and eat more plants! 💚
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