Gardening with Limited Space
Many people do not have a large area to grow a traditional vegetable garden. However, even those who live in a small apartment or have a shared outdoor space can grow vegetables, flowers and herbs in window boxes, small planters or hanging baskets.
Planning
Regardless of the type of garden you are interested in, the first step is to plan. Ask yourself, what you are interested in growing? Would you like edible plants, striking foliage or vibrant flowers? What planting location is available (large yard, window boxes, vertical planters, etc.)? How much sunlight and space are available? Accessibility of a water or irrigation source also is a consideration.
Other Considerations
Determine what techniques will work for the location you have. Raised beds, table planters and vertical gardens can provide opportunities for those with limited space to enjoy the benefits of gardening. The sunlight and space available are two important considerations. Vegetables typically need at least eight hours of quality sunlight daily, and all plants need enough root space for the mature plant.
Many herbs, fruits and vegetables provide attractive foliage in addition to an edible crop. When selecting plants for your garden, you should consider the mature size of the plant and your personal preference. Sufficient soil depth is needed for root growth. Some crops can be planted directly from seed, but others, such as tomatoes, do best from transplant. For more information on timing of planting for your area, consult the WVU Extension Garden Calendar.
Plant Spacing
Spring/Fall Crop |
Minimum spacing between plants (in.) |
Summer Crop
|
Minimum spacing between plants (in.)
|
Beets |
3 |
Beans (lima)
|
3
|
Broccoli |
8 |
Beans (bush)
|
2
|
Brussels Sprouts |
12 |
Cucumber
|
8
|
Cabbage |
12 |
Eggplant
|
18
|
Carrots |
2 |
Flowers
|
6 |
Cauliflower |
14 |
Muskmelon
|
12 |
Celery |
6 |
Peppers
|
12 |
Chard (Swiss) |
4 |
Squash (summer)
|
12 |
Greens |
1/8 |
Sweet Potato
|
9 |
Kale |
8 |
Tomato (dwarf)
|
8 |
Lettuce (head) |
6 |
Tomato (small vine)
|
12 |
Lettuce (leaf) |
1/8 |
Watermelon
|
24 |
Onions (bulb) |
4 |
||
Onions (green) |
1 |
||
Peas |
3 |
||
Potatoes |
6 |
||
Radish |
1 |
||
Spinach |
2 |
||
Turnip |
2 |
Methods of adaptive gardening |
Suitable containers/ equipment |
Special considerations |
Plant suggestions |
Container gardening – growing plants exclusively in containers instead of planting them in the ground |
Flower pots, hanging baskets, window boxes or repurposed items (i.e. barrels or wash tubs) |
|
Herbs, indoor or outdoor flowers, most vegetables (dwarf varieties may be available) |
Vertical gardening – the use of vertical space as a growing system for plants |
Vertical planters, lattice, hanging baskets or bags, trellises, etc. |
|
Strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, peas, beans, melons, clematis, roses, morning glories |
Gardening with adaptive tools – using tools or adaptive aids that have been modified for people with special needs to lessen the physical or mental demands of gardening |
Modified tools for the task and ability - trowels, hoes, forks, bright colored tools, water wands, lightweight chairs, stools and carts |
|
Most any vegetable, flower or landscape plant (consider the mature/harvest height of the plant) |
Raised bed gardening – using any garden bed in which more soil has been added to raise the garden surface, usually supported by sidewalls and materials |
|
|
Many vegetable crops work well, could also try interplantings of lettuce and onions; carrots and beets; tomatoes, peppers, strawberries |
Table-top gardening – using a gardening area that is on a raised surface at lap or chest level |
|
|
Low-growing plants like lettuce, carrots, beets, onions and strawberries, or dwarf varieties of peppers, tomatoes, etc. |
Straw bale gardening – using straw bales as a growing medium rather than the soil |
Straw bales (or hay bale with mulch and irrigation to combat weeds); fertilizer and a nitrogen source (blood meal or bone meal, and fish emulsion, if organic) to condition the bales; water to soak fertilizer into bale; soaker hose |
|
Plants per bale Tomatoes 2 to 3 Peppers 4 Cucumbers 4 to 6 Squash 2 to 4 Pumpkins 2 Zucchini 2 to 3 |
Brandy Brabham, WVU Extension Agent - Roane County
Jodi Richmond, WVU Extension Agent - Mercer County