It doesn’t take a 5-acre farm to grow your own food. With grocery and rent prices on the rise, it’s no wonder why many of us are looking to make the most of our current tiny home and apartment gardening spaces. Luckily, you don’t need a ton of green space to embrace your inner green thumb! Whether you are a gardening beginner or a seasoned farmer, we’ve got your back. Let us help you create the indoor garden of your dreams!
Plan It Out.
All great projects start with a strategic game plan. Starting with a road map is important, but this does not mean it has to be complicated. Don’t make it overly difficult – the basics are light, water, and soil for your future plants. Think about how this relates to the space you will be growing in. Will you use plastic containers or a garden bed? Do you have space on an outdoor balcony, or next to sunny windows? (PSST: if not you can hang up some grow lights to DIY sunlight!) Will you use fresh compost, or do you need to budget for potting soil and supplies?
Be honest with where you are at now. If you work long hours and forget to water your plants, perhaps start out small with just a couple of herbs. After all, you can always grow and expand as you go. If you have the means and the space to go all out, then dream big and hit the ground running!
At this point, it’s time to consider what you will be growing. Every garden plant is different, so it’s important to consider what you would like your garden to contain. This leads into the next step….
Grow the Right Greens
There is a strategy to grow the optimal harvest while minimizing the amount of space needed to grow your new crops. First, let’s start with what is not a good fit for indoor gardening: anything that needs a TON of land to grow, takes years and years of growth before producing a single iota of food, or even both! Instead, let’s do the opposite. Focus on what grows fast and compact.
Here are the best garden plants that grow with minimal space, minimal waiting time, and maximum harvest. (There are so many more, so this is just to name a few!)
- Cherry Tomatoes: you might see these as fruits or vegetables – but we see them as a DIY gardening dream! The only downside is you’ll need large containers, at least 14 inches in diameter, for each tomato plant. Just know that one or two tomato plants can be plenty to feed you. Don’t be surprised if you see new clusters of ripe tomatoes popping up every few days.
- Leafy Greens: If you can eat it in a salad, you can most likely grow it indoors. Spinach, lettuce, chard, and arugula have shallow root systems, meaning they can fit in a small container as well as a deep garden bed. If you can remember to water them regularly and provide plenty of sunlight and nutrients, expect vitamin-rich greens to be underway.
- Strawberries: Some fruit plants have been bred down to compact levels so they can be grown even in a small container. Strawberries are no exception. As a bonus, opt for an ever-bearing cultivar so you can enjoy these sweet fruits all season long.
- Herbs: Basil, oregano, you name it! Herbs are a windowsill gardener’s best friend. Without fail, you can welcome herbs into your space in a pot as small as a coffee mug. While growing herbs may not bring the bountiful harvest you are aiming for, they have a special way of uplifting any home-cooked meal. Never underestimate the power of fresh thyme or rosemary in a pasta dish – you just can’t replace that aroma with anything else.
Use Vertical Space.
When gardening indoors, it can be a challenge to make space for all the fruits and veggies you wish to grow. This is especially true for our farmers in tiny homes and city apartments. The key to making room for gardening is by utilizing vertical space. If you ever lived in a college dorm room or played Tetris, you know the infinite value of vertical space. In short, there’s only so much left-and-right “floor space” you have available. The key is to work up.
Before you close out of this article thinking “I have a studio apartment! I have no space for this!”, reconsider the space around you. Thinking about my space in this new way helped me fit over 100 plants in my 1-bedroom apartment without feeling cramped.
For example, perhaps there’s room on the wall for you to mount wall planters, taking your gardening space off of the floor. Maybe if you move a couple of things around you can make room for a savvy 5-tier shelf. You can even use one of those trendy stackable garden containers to add visual interest.
Don’t be afraid to get fancy too. Do you have an open wall? Consider using it as a trellis where a trailing plant could “climb” up the side, saving space and providing amazing living décor. With gardening, a simple uncovered wall is prime real estate.
Related Article: Vertical Aquaponics: The Best advice around
Try a Hydroponic Garden.
Another sneaky way to fit more greens in your space is by ditching the soil. In fact, growing plants in water alone allows you to group them closer together while conserving resources. This is a practice known as hydroponics and is more common than you may think. A hydroponic setup can be as simple or complex as you’d like, with some strategic advantages to the conventional setup. If we have you hooked and you want to learn more, hop over here for more details about indoor hydroponics!
Related Article: Your 1st Hydroponic Garden: What You Need to Know
Do Your Research.
Each garden plant is one of a kind. There are different needs for every plant, and too many different scenarios to list out here. This page would be a novel if we covered every cultivar, every problem, or every garden pest you can face in your journey. We will spare you the details for now.
Being prepared is important, but it’s also okay to admit what you don’t know. Please do not be afraid to research if there’s something challenging you with your new garden. Everyone starts somewhere, so the ability to learn and make mistakes goes a long way.
Keep growing Your garden!
Hopefully, you are as excited as we are to start setting up your new DIY indoor garden. All you need is a pot with some fresh soil, some bright light, a watering schedule, and the right plant companions, and you’re ready to go! For all your gardening needs and questions, don’t forget to check out all the additional resources here at The DIY Farmer Life.
FAQs
1. What are some benefits of gardening in a tiny home?
Gardening in a tiny home allows you to grow fresh produce, herbs, and flowers, enhancing your living environment, reducing grocery costs, and promoting sustainability.
2. What types of gardens are suitable for tiny homes?
Container gardens, vertical gardens, and indoor herb gardens are excellent options for tiny homes, maximizing space and accessibility.
3. What are some space-saving gardening techniques for tiny homes?
Utilize vertical space with hanging planters or wall-mounted gardens, opt for compact plant varieties, and employ stacking or tiered garden structures to maximize growing area.
4. What are the lighting requirements for indoor gardening in a tiny home?
Choose plants that thrive in low-light conditions or supplement natural light with grow lights to ensure adequate illumination for indoor gardening success.
5. How do I maintain a garden in a tiny home?
Regular watering, pruning, and fertilizing are essential for garden maintenance in a tiny home. Additionally, monitor plant health, rotate crops, and address pest or disease issues promptly.
