Winter Container Gardening for Small Spaces

Whether you live in a spacious house or a tiny apartment, you can get in on growing at least some of your own food!

Last week, I talked a little bit about the environmental impact of eating meat. Another way to reduce your food footprint (foodprint?) is to grow your own food. This can be easier said than done, though, now that temperatures are dropping. We’ve already had to move a couple of plants out of the cold, and we’ve started growing some more cold-resistant plants in our containers out back.

The trick with any container garden is to choose quality, organic potting soil, make sure you have the right sized pot, and that you fertilize regularly with organic fertilizer. To choose your pot size, take a look at the plant’s care tag. The rule of thumb that’s worked for me is to choose a pot that’s the same width as the spacing. So, if the plants need to be 12″ apart, choose at least a 12″ pot. The same goes for plant food or fertilizer: read the instructions. We apply every few weeks, but depending on what you choose, you may be fertilizing more or less frequently.

I’m lucky enough to have a house with a yard and a porch where I can grow food, but even if you only have a little bit of space, you can grow some food plants with a little bit of planning. Here are some ideas to get you started.

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Image Credit: Creative Commons photo by StarsApart

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Tish L.

8:32PM PST on Jan 23, 2012

Thanks.

send a green star

Kiana S.

4:19AM PST on Nov 26, 2011

Thanks for all the ideas!

Holly L.

7:44AM PST on Nov 14, 2011

Fantastic ideas - thank YOU!

Sheri P.

10:42PM PST on Nov 9, 2011

excellent! thanks for the tips.

Joy W.

3:54AM PDT on Nov 3, 2011

Thanks for the tips.

6:00AM PDT on Oct 30, 2011

page 2 of this article go verticle doesn't work

Carole K.

11:52AM PDT on Oct 27, 2011

Our family has just recently had the good fortune to move to a new house with a sun porch. We have never had one of these before; & look forward with great anticipation to do some winter indoor gardening. Indoor gardening is not only functional but decorative; & I think that we will enjoy it very much as we've always appreciated our outdoor gardens. Thank you for the excellent preview; it motivates me to get started ASAP!

dve d.

1:28AM PDT on Oct 27, 2011

even if it a few flowers its food for our wildlife friends

will w.

1:19AM PDT on Oct 25, 2011

every little bit helps

Valerie A.

4:18PM PDT on Oct 24, 2011