This post contains affiliate links for which I will receive a small commission for your purchase at no additional cost to you.
Spring is in the air. Flowers are blooming, and grass is growing. It is such a lovely change of pace from the dreary cold days of winter. If you are like me, you are itching to get outside and enjoy the sunshine, and nothing sounds nicer than spending the day planting a big garden from the seeds you started in your greenhouse.
But then you remember that you not only don’t have a greenhouse, you also don’t have a big garden, or even a yard to put one in.
Whether it is a temporary living situation or a rental, there are often times when you either can’t or don’t want to put in the work to create a garden space that you will not get to enjoy in years to come.
Thankfully, there are still things you can do that will help fulfill your gardening dreams.
Why Bother?
There are so many ways you can work towards living the life you wish when you feel like you are not in a place to do so. Small-scale gardening provides a wonderful opportunity to grow in your knowledge and skills without a massive commitment. You are able to get good at one particular thing.
If you are waiting for the perfect time or situation to get started, you never will.
Composting
Composting is possible wherever you live, so long as you have some sort of outside area.
I got a 5-gallon bucket, filled it halfway with dirt, and started throwing my kitchen scraps in it. Give it a good mix and water every couple of days. When it rained, I would go on a worm hunt to find worms to add and help the decomposing process.
A fancy bin to collect your scraps is not necessary. I used a plastic lunch meat container in the fridge to store my peels and shells.
Seed Starting
As dreamy as a greenhouse sounds, it is not a reality in a small space, or always worth it to add if you know you will be moving soon.
Thankfully, they are not necessary. As long as you have a window that gets some sunshine, you are all set. There are great options for trays to start seeds in, but if you are on a real budget, egg cartons work wonderfully as well.
If you do go the egg carton route, I would recommend using the styrofoam or plastic route if possible. I used the paper meche, and they started to mold.
Pots
Don’t let the thought of having to purchase expensive pots deter you from starting a garden on your patio. A pot can be any container that has holes in the bottom, or is capable of having them drilled.
So many different food products come in plastic containers that can be repurposed into pots. Everything from yogurt to butter to lunch meat. I collected my old containers all winter to use in the spring.
Another option is seeing what your thrift store has available to be used. I was able to find some plastic bowls that were supposed to be used for food storage that made excellent pots.
Plastic pool
Depending on your space availability, getting a plastic kiddie pool and filling it with dirt could be an excellent place to plant some plants.
Planter boxes
If you are living somewhere, like a rental house, where you have some yard, but aren’t really supposed to dig, you can use planter boxes. The ones that are up on stilts are especially helpful, so you don’t kill all the grass underneath.
I hope this inspired you to take advantage of the space you have to live your dreams to the fullest. If you have any tips or ideas on how you can garden in a small space, I would love to hear them in a comment.
For more tips on living the life you want when you don’t feel like you can, check out my post on homemaking when working full-time here.
Did you know I sell soap?
Check out my homemade tallow soap on Etsy!