Starting a garden without a backyard may seem daunting, or even impossible. But, with the right tools and knowledge, it is completely possible. You can grow a thriving garden, even in the tiniest of locations. Here are a few of the top things to know as you create your outdoor garden, whether you’re working with a small patio, a stamp-sized balcony, or a single windowsill.
Get accustomed to growing in containers.
A lack of garden beds means one thing for sure: With no outdoor space available, container gardening is the way to go. Container gardening simply refers to the practice of growing plants in pots, planters, hanging baskets, raised beds, and other containers.
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box here. All kinds of different containers can be used for a tiny fire escape garden. Think raised beds, railing planters, window boxes, small pots, oversized planters, old plastic containers, and more. It doesn’t have to be pretty, it just needs to fit and be functional!
In theory, container gardening is very similar to growing plants in the ground, but in practice, there are a few important differences to know. The most important? You’ll need to water your plants a lot more often.
Stay on top of watering.
Watering is the top thing to be aware of when it comes to limited space and, gardening with containers. Less soil and more airflow around the plant’s roots means that containers can dry out pretty quickly, especially in summer. If you aren’t diligent about your watering (I’m talking every day or multiple times a day), you can quickly lose plants to the heat. Anyone who’s tried growing thirsty herbs in small pots outdoors knows exactly what I’m talking about here (RIP to my 2025 herb garden).
Ciara Benko on Instagram came up with a few clever strategies to help keep her tiny vegetable garden hydrated in the height of the NYC summer heat.
“Sometimes, even if I watered my fire escape garden first thing in the morning, by 3 p.m. it was totally dry,” she explains. “I bought plastic saucers that were about 2–3 inches deep and filled those up each time I watered in the morning. That way, once the topsoil started to dry out, at least the plant was able to pull in some water from below.”
Water-wise strategies
She also notes that, in general, the smaller pots dried out more quickly than the larger containers. To combat this, she ended up hanging the majority of the smaller pots from the fire escape in partial shade so they dried out more slowly.
Other ways to water smarter include Self-watering stakes, hydroponic systems, self-watering pots, drip irrigation systems, and rainwater collection., depending on the location of your tiny garden.
Choose your plants wisely.
As with any garden, choosing your plants wisely is critical to its overall success. This comes down to surveying your space. How much light it gets, how much room you have, and then choosing plants that fit these criteria well. For example, if you have a spot that’s almost entirely shaded throughout the day, it will be challenging to grow most vegetables, fruit, and herbs. These need about 6 hours of sunlight. Likewise, if you have a very small spot, you may need to avoid large sprawling plants or those that require deep pots.
These same principles also apply to your habits as a gardener. The sunniest, brightest spot may be your ideal for a container vegetable garden. However, if you can’t commit to daily watering, you’ll only set yourself up for heartbreak. Instead, you may be better-suited to drought-tolerant options like cacti and succulents. Take some time to choose plants that will fit your space and lifestyle habits. It will pay off in the long run and result in a lush, thriving garden.
Don’t forget the joy
That said, don’t forget to prioritize creating a space that brings you joy, too. If a vegetable garden is your dream but your space is mostly shaded, focus on choosing plants that can tolerate partial shade – such as leafy greens and root vegetables.
“It’s about building a space that makes you happy, so think about what will bring you joy. Are you looking to create a flower garden? Are you looking to cultivate actual vegetables or fruits? Or are you just looking to turn your otherwise drab outdoor space green? You can start brainstorming from there, because there’s really no wrong answer,” Benko says.
Use your vertical space in a big way.
When space is limited, go up! Benko says that getting creative with your vertical space is one of the best ways to create a thriving garden, even in the smallest of spaces.
“If you have a very small area, I’d recommend hanging pots from above or creating a trellis along a wall. Plants that may typically grow outward and across the soil – like pumpkins, cucumbers, and cantaloupes – can grow upwards,” she says.
Thinking up instead of out will vastly increase your options, transforming what felt like an impossibly small space into a vertical jungle. Vertical space can be optimized using hanging planters, trellises, stacked planters, railing planters, shelves, and more. The options are truly endless!
Article by apartmenttherapy©
Photos by Ciara Benko
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