Vegetables + Herbs

  • Spring

    Spring represents the dawn of new life. As the sun draws closer, its warmth begins to awaken the outdoors. Small sprouts break through the soil’s surface, and the sights and sounds of baby wildlife start to emerge. It’s the perfect time to plant cool-weather crops, while enjoying the bulbs you planted last autumn as they begin to bloom.

  • Summer

    Summer is the “boom” of gardening. Crops thrive in abundance, and produce vibrant blooms that can lead to plentiful harvests.

    However, the heat brings drought risks that require careful watering. Wildlife and insects are also at their peak. This can make pest control tricky, especially if you want to protect the beneficial bugs.

    Mulching helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and protect crops from summer’s intensity. This is when the planning from spring truly shines, as a well-prepared garden can handle the challenges of summer with resilience.

  • Fall

    Fall can feel like the end, but in gardening there is arguably no end. Only a pause.

    It’s a time to reflect on the year you’ve had, but also to plant and plan for the seasons to come. Many crops reach their peak in flavor, making fall famous for its harvest celebrations.

    Fallen leaves and plant debris are a great opportunity to enrich your garden soil. Allowing them to decompose not only nourishes the earth but also provides a habitat for local wildlife.

    Just as you bundle up in layers to prepare for winter, your garden, too, settles into its own layers, awaiting the arrival of spring.

Working Relationships Within Your Garden

When planning your vegetable and herb garden, it's important to remember that, like most things in nature, certain plants grow best together. This practice, known as companion planting, should be considered early in the planning process. It can enhance growth, support pollinators, deter pests, and improve soil health.

Tomatoes + Basil + Marigold

Basil can improve the flavor and growth of tomatoes, and its strong scent can deter pests. Marigolds also aid in repelling pests while attracting pollinators.

Corn + Beans + Squash

The three sisters. Traditional Native American Planting has used this method for many years. They use each plant to support the others. Corn provides natural trellis for climbing beans. Beans fix the nitrogen in the soil. Squash spread across the ground, allowing the soil to retain moisture.

Herbs To Repel Pests:

Nasturtiums attract spiders to help with pest control.

Onions help mask scents of plants that pest may want to eat, repelling them with their strong odor.

Micro Gardens

Even with limited space, it’s possible to grow a variety of plants. Whether you choose to garden indoors with a set of grow lights, or outside on a balcony, small spaces can still fulfill your gardening dreams.

We have seen someone successfully grow lemon bushes in an office! When there’s a will, there’s a way.

For the smallest of spaces, herbs are an ideal choice. They’re easy to grow, versatile, and thrive in containers. Plus, who wouldn’t love having fresh herbs right in the kitchen?

Here are popular herbs that do well in small spaces:

Herbs:

Basil – Loves the sun and brings a wonderful aroma. Its flower can change flavor, but can also make a great garnish.

Mint – Thrives in containers, but should be grown in its own pot. It can quickly spread and take over any size space. Some say that mint loves to run.

Parsley – A hardy herb that doesn’t require much space. A perfect candidate for small containers.

Thyme – Low-maintenance and forgiving. This herb loves full sun.

Chives – Compact, easy to grow, with the benefit of beautiful blooms in the springtime.

Cilantro – Perfect for small pots, and they offer a quick harvest for frequent use.

Oregano – Prefers full sun and thrives in containers.

Rosemary – A favorite for its decorative look indoors or outdoors. Just ensure it has good drainage. It is a slower growing plant.

Certain vegetables thrive in containers, making them excellent additions to your micro garden and valuable assets in your kitchen.

Vegetables:

Tomatoes – Many variety of tomatoes can do well. Mostly determinate tomatoes that don’t grow as large, or need as much trellising as indeterminate types. Cherry, Roma Bush, Early Girl and many more would work in this case. You will find tomatoes specifically bred for patios. just ensure there is plenty of sunlight

Lettuce & Salad Greens – Ideal for small spaces and can be harvested continually.

Spinach – Another leafy green that grows well in pots and can grow in spaces with some shade.

Radishes – They have a quick turnaround, allowing for multiple harvests.

Carrots (small varieties) – Shorter varieties are well-suited to containers.

Peppers (especially smaller varieties) – Needs a good amount of sunlight, but grow well in pots.

Green Onions – Doesn’t take up much space, and can be regrown from scraps.

Cucumbers (dwarf or patio varieties) – Small cucumber varieties are perfect for balconies, and can be grown vertically with a trellis

When growing a micro garden it is important to remember:

container: good drainage and appropriate depth

quality potting soil: moisture retaining soil is great for potted plants

These vegetables and herbs are great choices for small areas, but they’re just the beginning. Don’t hesitate to experiment and find creative ways to achieve your gardening goals with the space you have. Even if you’re a novice gardener, many plants are forgiving and will thrive as you learn and grow alongside them.