Beginner gardeners often assume that they need a massive backyard to start growing their own vegetables, but we’ve got good news–that’s not true at all. Sure, having more space helps, but there are plenty of vegetables that you could still grow within a small space. For some inspiration, here are some of the best vegetables that will produce the most in a small garden.
Tomatoes
We’re starting things off with an exception to the vegetable theme, but regardless, gardeners with small plots to work with love tomatoes, as they bring incredible yields, even within the smallest spaces. This is especially the case when the plant is supported by stakes or cages to grow vertically or when using compact varieties like cherry tomatoes. Furthermore, tomatoes don’t require much space in pots or raised beds either, so with the right care, a few plants can keep your kitchen stocked with juicy, fresh tomatoes.
Lettuce
A favorite for small garden spaces, lettuce grows quickly and doesn’t take up much room at all. You can plant it densely, harvesting outer leaves continuously or even whole heads as they mature. In particular, leaf lettuce varieties are highly productive, allowing you to cut leaves throughout the growing season for a steady supply of fresh greens without needing much soil.
Radishes
Another vegetable that will produce the most in a small garden is the humble radish. These root vegetables mature in as little as three to four weeks and will grow well in small patches or containers. Best of all, because they’re fast-growing, you can plant multiple rounds in a single season. Don’t forget to harvest the leafy tops, too.
Zucchini
While it’s true that zucchini typically requires a lot of space to grow, there are some compact bush varieties out there that are well-suited for small gardens and containers. Regular harvesting will still be essential to keep plants manageable and productive, but it’s a seriously good option. So, head to your local farmer’s market and consult the experts, and we’re sure you’ll make zucchini work in your garden.
Spinach
Famously, spinach doesn’t demand much room or even sunlight, making it perfect for beginner gardeners with space and light restrictions. Just like with lettuce, you can cut leaves as they grow, and they’ll keep regenerating, giving you multiple harvests. Better still, this green is nutrient-packed and a great choice for keeping your garden productive with minimal space.
Peppers
Peppers, especially small chili and bell varieties, thrive in compact gardens and pots. They’re highly productive and continue bearing fruit well into late summer, even when other vegetables have given up. Furthermore, peppers are relatively low maintenance and are happy growing close together, so there’s really no excuse not to grow them, even if your garden is tiny.
Carrots
Carrots are another root vegetable that fit easily into small spaces or even deep pots, as they grow down rather than out, allowing you to plant them densely. Baby carrot varieties or those suited to container growing are particularly well-suited for limited space, and once they’re ready, you’ll have sweet, crunchy carrots that keep well after harvest.
Green Beans
If you’re on a budget when it comes to garden space, consider planting green beans, especially climbing varieties, which are incredibly productive and make great use of vertical space. They grow up trellises or supports, leaving more ground space for other crops, which is ideal. More still, with regular picking, green beans keep producing, making them a highly efficient vegetable for small gardens with limited horizontal room.
Beets
You just can’t beat beets when it comes to garden efficiency, partially because they’re dual-purpose plants, offering both roots and leafy greens. More importantly, though, they grow well in compact spaces and tolerate close planting, allowing you to harvest tender greens as they grow. The roots are flavorful and nutrient-dense, making beets an excellent choice for maximizing yields in smaller plots.
Scallions
Scallions are so slim that they really don’t need much space to thrive, making them perfect for small gardens. In addition, they grow quickly and regenerate after cutting, so you can trim them throughout the season. These little alliums pack a lot of flavors, adding fresh, mild onion notes to dishes with minimal garden real estate, so what are you waiting for? Start growing them next year!
Cucumbers
Compact cucumber varieties and bush types are ideal for small spaces and produce a good number of crunchy cucumbers. Vining varieties can also work, provided that they have vertical support and enough management to prevent them from overtaking nearby plants. Watch out, though–you’d be surprised at how many people plant a lot of cucumber plants, only to be shocked when they end up with hundreds of the things to use up.
Kale
As with other leafy greens on this list, kale produces leaves continuously as long as you keep picking them. It also doesn’t need much room to grow and can handle cooler temperatures, extending its harvest season. Therefore, kale’s robust growth makes it an excellent option for maximizing output in a small garden, and your body will thank you for all those healthy greens.
Peas
One of the most versatile crops on this list is the classic pea, a plant that loves to climb, making them highly suitable for tight garden spaces. Snap peas, in particular, yield heavily and offer sweet, crunchy pods throughout spring and summer. Even better, their short growing season also makes it easy to plant something else once they’re done, keeping your garden productive.
Garlic
While it’s true that garlic might take a while to mature, it’s still easy to grow in small spaces and doesn’t require much tending. Once planted in fall, garlic will grow through winter and be ready by summer, with each bulb producing a full head of garlic. You can’t really go overboard with it, either, as there’s no such thing as having too much garlic!
Chard
Chard is a resilient, colorful green that produces large, leafy harvests without needing much room. Its vibrant stems and leaves grow densely, and you can harvest outer leaves continually while the plant keeps producing, as with many plants on this list. Best of all, chard handles both warm and cool weather, so it remains productive in various seasons, perfect for smaller gardens.
Herbs (Basil, Parsley, Cilantro)
Finally, there are all sorts of herbs that will grow well in your small garden, especially basil, parsley, and cilantro. You can expect them to add big flavors to your meals and provide a continuous supply of leaves, and they don’t need much space, either, so you can plant them densely. In fact, these herbs are perfect for small gardens because snipping them encourages further growth, so you’ll never run out of fragrant herbs again.