patio gardening for beginners
If you long to have a backyard garden but are unable to do so in the traditional way, then this guide on patio gardening for beginners will help you create a plan B—your backup plan to grow all the veggies you love right outside your kitchen door.
These simple tips for container gardening will turn your outdoor space into the vegetable garden you always dreamed of.
Growing your own food is a great way to enjoy fresh, healthy produce year-round, but not everyone has the space or time for a traditional garden. Whether you’re working with limited room, a busy schedule, or facing physical challenges, alternative methods can help you get back to growing.
One of my favorite ways to grow is container gardening—it allows me to elevate my plants, making gardening easier while reducing the strain on my back.
What is patio gardening?
Patio gardening is essentially growing plants, vegetables, and herbs in containers or pots on your patio, balcony, deck, or any small outdoor space you have.
This method of gardening has become increasingly popular over the years as it offers a convenient way to grow your own food without needing a large backyard or traditional setup.
How to start a backyard garden no matter where you live.
The benefits of patio gardening
I already mentioned the main reason why I love gardening this way, it is easier on me physically, but there are other reasons as well.
- It makes the most of small spaces, allowing you to tuck a tomato plant in a corner or herb containers along a set of patio stairs.
- Offers easy access to plants for watering, harvesting, and routine care. This is perfect if you have a bad back, knees, or other physical limitations.
- Requires less maintenance compared to traditional gardens. Since the plants are “contained,” there are few to no weeds, eliminating one large chore off your list.
- Containers can be moved to different areas giving them the best growing conditions your area has to offer.
- It’s becoming more and more popular, giving you a variety of containers to buy. With so many containers, you can grow vertically, stack planters, or use hanging baskets to grow most vegetables, herbs, or fruits.
Choosing the right setup
Before starting your patio garden, you will want to consider which setup will work best giving your garden the best location for growing.
Sunlight – Check your patio to see how much sunlight it gets—does it get full sun, shade, or a mix? If you’re unsure, spend some time tracking the sunlight throughout the day. Walk your patio in the morning, afternoon, and evening, and note which areas receive exposure to the sun. Most plants need 6-8 hours of sunlight daily, and these notes will give you valuable insight to plan your garden.
SLCG Pro Tip: One major perk of container gardening is mobility—you can easily move your plants to take full advantage of the sunlight available in your space.
Space – Look at the amount of space you have and how many plants you’d like to grow. Choose spots where your plants can thrive without being bumped or disrupted. You can opt for individual pots, larger containers that hold multiple plants, or space-saving options like hanging baskets and vertical planters to make the most of your available area.
Selecting the right-sized containers
Choose a container that provides enough space for your plant’s roots to grow properly. Some plants need deeper containers than others, so it’s important to match the depth and size of the pot to the needs of the plant you want to grow.
Vegetable Container Guide
- Tomatoes – 18–24 inches in diameter or at least 5 gallons.
- Peppers (Bell, Chili, etc.) – 12–18 inches in diameter or 3–5 gallons.
- Lettuce – 6–8 inches deep and at least 12 inches wide.
- Carrots – 12 inches deep for most varieties.
- Herbs (Basil, Parsley, Cilantro, etc.) – 6–8 inches in diameter for individual herbs.
- Cucumbers – 16–20 inches in diameter or 5 gallons.
- Spinach – 6–8 inches deep.
- Radishes – 6 inches deep.
- Zucchini – At least 20 inches in diameter or 5 gallons.
- Beans (Bush and Pole) – 12–15 inches in diameter for bush varieties; at least 5 gallons for pole beans with a trellis.
DIY Growing Containers
One of the best parts of patio gardening is the chance to reuse some of your containers from home.
- Buckets
- Plastic totes
- Terra cotta pots
- Nursery pots
- Washtubs
- Large cooking or stock pots
- Porous bags
When reusing containers, make sure they have proper drainage holes at the bottom to avoid water pooling and causing root rot. If drainage holes are missing, you can easily create them using a hammer and nail or a drill.
Add a layer of rocks at the bottom of the container for extra root protection if needed.
Purchasing Growing Containers
With the growing popularity of container gardening, there are many options that you can purchase allowing you to find the very best fit for your space. Garden Containers for a Patio Garden
- Traditional Pots
- Classic round or square pots available in materials like ceramic, terracotta, plastic, or resin.
- Versatile and easy to move, perfect for growing herbs and just about any vegetable.
- Hanging Baskets
- Circular baskets made of metal, wicker, or plastic, often lined with coco coir or moss.
- Perfect for saving floor space while growing trailing plants like strawberries, cucumbers, or herbs.
- Vertical Planters
- Wall-mounted or free-standing containers with multiple tiers for stacking plants vertically.
- Great for small spaces; ideal for herbs, lettuce, or radishes.
- Window Boxes
- Long, narrow containers that can be mounted on rails or windowsills.
- Perfect for herbs or compact vegetables like radishes.
- Grow Bags
- Flexible fabric bags designed for planting, often with handles for easy transport.
- Lightweight and breathable, ideal for vegetables like peppers, tomatoes, and eggplants.
- Tiered Planters
- Multi-level containers designed to grow a variety of plants in a small footprint.
- Ideal for patios where you want variety without taking much space.
4 Piece Upside Down Strawberry Planter, Upside Down Tomato Planter – Hanging Strawberry Planter -Hanging Grow Bags – Hanging Tomato Planter – Hanging Strawberry Planter Kit – Upside Down Planter
Best Choice Products 48x24x30in Raised Garden Bed, Elevated Wood Planter Box Stand for Backyard, Patio, Balcony w/Bed Liner, 200lb Capacity – NaturalGREANER Rectangle Planters for Indoor Plants, 6 Pack 16.9×7.48 Inch Large Vegetable Flower Herb Window Boxes, Outdoor Plastic Growing Pots with Tray for House Windowsill Balcony Garden Use (Black)Highpro Vertical Garden Planter, 5 Tiers Vertical Raised Garden Bed Metal Elevated Herb Planter Box Vegetable Flower Planters for Patio Deck Outdoor IndoorFillTouch 12 Pcs Colorful Plant Grow Bags Non Woven Fabric Pots with Handles Planting Bags 10 Gallon 7 Gallon 5 Gallon 3 Gallon 2 Gallon 1 Gallon Garden Bag for Vegetables Flowers Garden PlantAmazing Creation Stackable Planter, Terracotta 5-Tier Vertical Garden Planter, Grow Your Own Vertical Oasis of Vegetables and Succulents
By mixing and matching these containers, you can make the most of your patio garden with efficient use of space and optimal growing conditions.
Soil Prep
Choosing the right soil is important for any setup but more so with a patio garden. You will want to use a high-quality potting mix that is specifically formulated for container gardening. This type of soil contains essential nutrients and has good drainage to ensure proper root growth.
What is soil mix?
A soil mix, also known as potting mix, is lightweight, nutrient-rich and designed to support healthy plant growth in containers. It typically includes peat moss for moisture retention, perlite for aeration, vermiculite for gradually releasing nutrients, and compost.
This blend ensures proper drainage and prevents waterlogging while allowing roots to access oxygen easily.
Plant Selection
Start by choosing plants based on the foods you and your family love the most. Then, evaluate the available space to ensure your garden setup makes the best use of every inch.
Consider mixing vegetables and herbs to create a more resilient garden. Use companion planting techniques to combine strengths to give you better growth.
Most vegetables thrive in containers, but for some, you might want to select varieties specifically bred for container gardening to ensure the best results. Most nurseries now have varieties of tomatoes that are specifically meant to grow in a container.
More Herb Growing Guides:
Disease aND PESTS
Even though patio gardening limits issues with plants, there are still things you can do to ensure their health even further.
- Be sure to only use cleaned containers.
- Routinely check your plants for any issues so you can catch things early.
- Remove dead or diseased leaves promptly and monitor for any signs of insect infestations.
If you do encounter a pest problem, try using natural solutions such as neem oil or diatomaceous earth. These options are safe for plants and the environment.
Routine Care
While patio gardening requires fewer chores compared to traditional gardening, routine care is still needed to keep your plants healthy.
Watering – Water your plants thoroughly, but avoid overwatering, as too much can harm the roots. Before watering, use this trick to check your plants: insert your finger about one to two inches into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water.
Fertilizing – Fertilizing is essential for container gardening, as nutrients in small spaces tend to deplete quickly. To keep your plants healthy and well-nourished, apply a slow-release fertilizer or use a liquid fertilizer every few weeks.
Harvesting and Storage
One of the best parts of patio gardening is enjoying fresh produce straight from your own space. Harvest fruits and vegetables at their peak ripeness, as this is when they offer the best flavor and nutritional value.
- For tomatoes, look for a vibrant, even color and a slight give when gently squeezed.
- Leafy greens like spinach or lettuce should be picked when the leaves are tender but firm.
- Root vegetables, such as carrots or radishes, are ready when their tops begin to peek through the soil.
Once harvested, proper storage is also important as it will ensure freshness and flavor.
- Store leafy greens in a breathable bag or wrapped in a damp paper towel inside the refrigerator.
- Tomatoes are best kept at room temperature until fully ripe, after which they can go in the fridge to extend their life.
- Root vegetables can be stored in a cool, dark place or in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator.
If you have excess produce, consider freezing, canning, or drying it for future use. This will help you enjoy your homegrown fruits and vegetables all year long.
Patio gardening for beginners is a rewarding and enjoyable way to grow the food you love. Create a gardening 101 setup that gets plenty of sun, use the right containers, and follow the growing guides, and you can fill your freezer and pantry with a supply of homegrown goodness.
