Gardening is a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors, but not everyone has the space for a traditional garden. If you live in an apartment or have a small yard, don't despair – you can still grow your own herbs and vegetables with a potted garden. With a little planning and care, you can have a thriving pot of veggies in no time. Here's what you need to know to get started.

Choose the right plants - not all vegetables are suitable for potting, so do your research first

When starting a small space garden or courtyard, it's important to choose vegetables and herbs that are suitable for your growing environment. Doing the research beforehand can help ensure you make the most of your limited space and get the most delicious vegetables or herbs from your garden. Some vegetables do best in certain soil types, certain levels of sunlight and other conditions. To make sure you're choosing vegetables appropriate for your conditions, it's always good advice to ask nursery staff for their expert guidance - they can provide you with tailored vegetables recommendations particular to your small space garden needs. You should also take into account location when selecting vegetables – look at how much shade and sunlight hours are available throughout the day so you know which vegetables will thrive in that environment. Ultimately, there is so much to be said for understanding all these components before selecting vegetables - speak to a professional or do robust research and check out online resources so that you maximize your vegetable growing potential!

Pick the right size pots - too small and your plants will become stunted, too large and they'll take over your outdoor area!

When it comes to setting up small space gardens or courtyards, the size of your pots is critically important. Too small and your plants will become stunted and won't have adequate room to grow. On the flip side, too large and the plants may overtake your outdoor area! We've summarised this in detail for you in an earlier blog post - be sure to give it a read if you're looking for more advice on pot sizes. We also look at other helpful tips such as fertilizer options and plans for winter, so don't miss it!

Make sure you have drainage holes in the bottom of the pots

For healthy plants, it's essential to ensure that your pots and planters have adequate drainage. If you don't include drainage holes in the bottom of the pots, you risk root rot and a host of other issues that can cause irreparable damage to your herbs and vegetables. Not only will this eliminate the fresh produce from your small-space garden or courtyard, but it can also cause permanent harm to the plants themselves - so take a few extra minutes when planting up those containers to make sure they are adequately set-up with drainage holes at the bottom!

Use quality potting mix - don't skimp on this, as it's what will keep your plants healthy

When it comes to growing herbs and vegetables in small-space gardens and courtyards, quality potting mix is an absolute must. Not only does it provide the necessary nutrition and aeration that your plants need, but they've often been specifically designed to get the most of of your crops leaving you with a bigger harvest. The quality of the soil can determine the success of your garden, so make sure that you choose a premium potting mix — don't skimp on this; if you take care to ensure that your seedlings have what they need right from the start, you are far more likely to be rewarded with healthy plants with bountiful harvests come harvest time.

Water regularly, but don't overwater - check the soil before watering to make sure it's dry

Growing herbs and vegetables in small space gardens and courtyards can be tricky; you need to make sure not to overwater your plants or they will suffer. The best guide to follow is to use your finger as a tool: stick it into the soil around the plant and if it comes back dirty, you don't need to water. This is a great way to check what the moisture content of the soil is like, and make sure that you are giving your plants the right amount of water, so that they stay healthy and strong! If you're not too keen on getting your fingers dirty, then why not try one of our Grow Probes!

Fertilize every few weeks with a good fertilizer

Fertilizing your small space garden every few weeks is an important part of keeping your herbs and vegetables looking their best. Make sure to check out our range of good fertilizers that are designed to provide the right kind of nutrients for your plants. Adding fertilizer will help ensure healthy growth, great colours, and the resilience to resist disease throughout the season. Fertilizing regularly with a good fertilizer should give you a bumper crop in no time!

With careful research, you can successfully grow a variety of herbs and vegetables in even the smallest of spaces! Whether you have a patio, balcony, or garden courtyard, you will be able to let your green thumb shine! Be sure to pick the right plants for potting and use appropriately sized pots with drainage holes for helping excess water runoff. Use quality potting mix so that your plants can get all the nutrition they need. Don't forget to fertilize and water regularly for lush greens! With these tips in mind, you will be ready to build your own mini-garden in no time - happy planting!