Grow more food in less space with compact plants

Breeders are answering the call for more food with less space with compact edible plants.  They deliver bountiful yields in a fraction of the space traditional varieties need.  Take Micro Tom, an eight-inch-high “microdwarf” tomato that thrives beneath indoor grow lights or in a sunny outdoor pot. 

 

For centuries, gardeners have used every dimension of their space, from the Hanging Gardens of Babylon to espaliered fruit trees in medieval cloisters. By growing vertically, we can multiply our garden’s productivity—even in a small yard or balcony. Stakes, hoops and trellises let vining plants reach new heights, while fences and walls make perfect canvasses for espaliered fruit trees. 

Traditional English-style cottage gardening was rooted in the practical need to produce the family’s food and herbs year-round in a modest plot. Neat rows take up valuable space, so these were eschewed. Instead, lettuce or lemon balm grew in the shade of the roses for food, tea and dyes, creating a blowsy, plant-centric tapestry still popular today. 

 

Pot-a-peno is a fun new jalapeno pepper with a compact habit perfect for growing in containers and hanging baskets.

Little plants, big decisions 

To get the most from your tiny edible garden, start with plants you eat regularly that grow well in local conditions. 

Among annual vegetables, tomatoes and peppers are the most popular compact edible plants.  But you can also find cucumber, eggplant, pumpkin, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, herbs and melons in abundance.

Edible trees and shrubs, typically hogging the most space and light in the garden, are also shrinking. Gardeners will find dwarf and columnar apple trees, multi-fruit grafted trees and patio-ready berry plants.  

Where space is at a premium, you want plants that will perform without sacrificing flavor. The most popular choices offer a good harvest, disease resistance and early ripening. Lower maintenance is a bonus among certain compact varieties whose traditional counterparts are known for their frequent needs. 

 

The two- to three-foot ‘Silver Dollar’ blueberry bush 

Compact edible plants from Bushel and Berry

The Bushel and Berry series of fruiting plants pioneered by the Brazelton family and first known as BrazelBerries came as an early innovator in scaled-down food plants.  In particular blueberries, like tiny Jelly Bean, which remains between one and two feet tall, along with the thornless blackberry Baby Cakes and raspberry Raspberry Shortcake. Now a part of Star Roses and Plants, the brand is expanding its portfolio with varieties suited to warmer climates, such as Poppin Passion passion fruit and Beau-Tea-Ful camellia. These cultivars don’t require chill hours (a certain period of low temperatures during dormancy), making them suitable for growers across diverse climates, says Kirsten Pullen, Woody Ornamental Portfolio Manager.

She confirms an ongoing focus on this market, emphasizing the need for resilience against climatic variability—drought, temperature swings, excessive rainfall—as essential breeding goals. Selecting for low chill requirements not only accommodates unpredictable weather but may also enable multiple fruiting cycles per season.

Distinctive flavors are another priority; Bushel and Berry’s Peach Sorbet and Silver Dollar blueberries, for example, offer a tropical, pineapple-infused taste. Expect more unique flavor profiles in future releases.

And all told, the compact edible plant trend shows no signs of slowing down. Breeders continue to push the boundaries, creating plants that not only fit in small spaces but also thrive in diverse conditions—all while supplying us with exciting flavors.

 

Source: hortmag.com©