My small courtyard vegetable garden has come a long way since it’s blank beginnings. I love growing most of my fruit and vegetables in my allotment plot, which is about 135 square metres, but I wanted to utilise this small courtyard space just outside my kitchen. As the space is right outside my kitchen door, I couldn’t imagine a more perfect space for some extra veggies!
When thinking about growing vegetables in a small space, it’s important to look vertically as well as at the available floor space, which can be a little limiting. I nailed a pallet to the fence and some trellis on the wall to hang baskets. I also have a few plants growing in pots that will trail up along the fence, such as pumpkins and beans.
MAKING THE MOST OUT OF POTS
I ordered a few cheap grow bags from Amazon which have been fantastic for my vegetables. They are filled with peat free multi purpose compost which will be topped up with liquid seaweed to continue to give each plant enough nutrients as they grow. I’m trying to make the most out of the pots by planting mini vegetable patches in each one.
In my broccoli pots I have planted a few quick growing salad crops which will be ready long before the broccoli. This way, I make good use from the growing space available.
GROWING VERTICALLY
A lot of what I plan to grow will be vertically, to really make the most out of this narrow space. I’m growing a Jack be Little pumpkin in a 50cm pot up the side of the fence. Once this grows it will provide much needed shade for the brassicas and salads growing below, which benefit from a little shade in the warmer months.
I also have beans growing up the trellis which will hopefully run across a bamboo cane and drop down the produce for me to pick. I’m hopeful this will end up looking quite magical, if done right!
My strawberries and herbs are in pots hanging on the side of pallets. Strawberries benefit from being raised for the ground because the fruit can go rotten when it’s on the ground. It also helps to protect them from slugs and snails. The herbs are within easy picking range of the kitchen so that I can simply pick and add to my cooking when needed!
IT’S A LEARNING CURVE
By growing most of what I grow at the allotment plot in pots, I’m learning so much more about what makes each crop tick. The benefits of growing in pots are that everything can be given the exact conditions it requires to grow to it’s best ability. The carrots have a sandy soil, the potatoes have potassium rich feeds and early fennel seeds are protected with plastic bottles.
Protecting from slugs and snails is a lot easier too. When my crops grow big and strong in pots, it gives me an indicator of how well they are doing at the allotment. I’ve never grown potatoes (picture below) that have been so incredibly healthy before. It makes me realise how less well they actually do in the raised bed in my allotment plot.
Pots can also be moved, which is a great advantage for my little courtyard garden. As the light changes and the season moves from Spring to Summer, I can easily pull and push pots into and out of the full sun, making sure they get exactly what they need.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Growing vegetables and fruit in pots in a small courtyard garden has actually taught me more than growing in my 135 square metres allotment plot has in 3 years! I’m learning so much more about individual vegetables and how incredible plants can really be. They are so adaptable. Vegetable gardening really is something anyone can do, no matter what kind of space they may have, and that’s really exciting!
If I ever give up my allotment plot, I no longer feel like I would be unable to grow everything I want to. I can’t wait to update you on my vegetable courtyard garden again soon!
