There’s a quiet charm to living in a smaller space. It invites a slower rhythm, where every item has its place and every corner is thoughtfully used. With less room to fill, we tend to fill it more intentionally—consuming less, choosing well, and finding comfort in simplicity.

Personally, I’m working with what feels like a luxurious amount of outdoor space, at least by my standards. Our current home has a small backyard plot, the largest I’ve ever had, with just enough room for a couple of raised beds and a tiny garden that brings me endless joy. Still, it’s modest by most measures, and I’ve found that the same tips I use out there apply just as well to containers on a patio or even pots tucked into a sunny corner indoors. Whether you’re working with soil in the ground or just a few ceramic planters, growing something—anything—feels like its own kind of abundance.

Of course, smaller living often means trading in certain luxuries, like a backyard garden bursting with fresh herbs and heirloom tomatoes. Thankfully, urban spaces have stepped up, offering community gardens and bustling farmers’ markets to keep us connected to the rhythm of the seasons. Still, there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of growing your own food—even if it’s just a handful of herbs on a windowsill.

Whether you live in an apartment, a tiny home, or a house with a modest footprint, these simple tips will help you grow organic food and plants, no matter the size of your space.

1. Examine your space

Start your indoor garden with a bit of observation and planning. Take note of where natural light pours into your home—south-facing windows tend to offer the most consistent sun—and consider any overlooked spaces, like a narrow balcony or even a sunny ledge. Do your window sills get enough light? Are they wide enough for pots or trays? Maybe you have room for a trough planter or a railing box outside. Assessing your space early on will help you determine what’s realistic to grow and what tools and containers you’ll need to make it happen.

“The biggest challenge with indoor growing is simply making sure that your vegetables are getting enough light,” says Vanessa Dawson, Founder & CEO of Arber, a plant wellness company. “In addition, you also need to focus on the right nutrients, temperature, humidity, and watering regime. If you get these conditions right, you can grow vegetables year-round indoors.”

And if you’re in a small apartment without outdoor space or deep window sills (hi, me!), don’t worry—there are still creative ways to grow. Try a vertical garden, an indoor trellis, or even an upside-down hanging garden. Tomatoes, peppers, beans, miniature eggplants, and cucumbers can all thrive this way, adding a pop of green to your walls and your plate.

After narrowing in on the perfect space for your garden, research your specific environment/location to find out what produce you can grow in your area. Online articles, library books, and the staff at your local nursery are all excellent resources. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is also a great place to start.

2. Find recycled pots & planters

Once you’ve decided what you’d like to grow and scoped out the perfect spot, it’s time to gather your materials. Think of this as the fun, creative part—where your indoor garden begins to take shape. Thrift stores, flea markets, and garage sales are treasure troves for unique pots and planters, often at a fraction of the cost. Look for ceramic bowls, vintage coffee mugs, or old teapots that can double as quirky containers. Even everyday household items can be repurposed: wooden crates and pallets make excellent rustic planters, mason jars are great for herbs or leafy greens, and burlap coffee bags can be transformed into hanging pouches for shallow-rooted plants.

If you’re feeling crafty, try building your own containers from recycled materials you already have at home. Upcycling not only saves money but adds character to your space—and each container tells a little story. For a more artisanal touch, visit your local pottery studio or farmers market to support ceramicists who often sell beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces perfect for planting.

Prefer to purchase something new? There are plenty of sustainable options available, from biodegradable planters to recycled plastic and responsibly sourced clay. We especially love Vego Garden for their modular metal garden beds, which are thoughtfully designed to fit a range of spaces—from compact patios to larger backyard plots. Made with durable, sustainably sourced materials, their raised beds are a long-lasting and low-maintenance option for both beginner and seasoned gardeners alike.

A green plant grows in a square, olive-colored pot with a metal support frame, while water is being poured from a watering can.
A person sits on a chair holding a small potted plant, with two larger planters and a small planter arranged on a stool beside them against a paneled wall.

3. Invest in organic, peat-free soil

Next, it’s time to prepare your soil—the foundation of any healthy garden. When selecting soil, prioritize organic, peat-free blends that support both your plants and the environment. One of our top picks is Vego Base Soil from Vego Garden. This thoughtfully crafted mix is designed to promote healthy root growth and improve moisture retention, all while being sustainably produced and peat-free. Whether you’re planting directly in raised beds, containers, or indoor pots, Vego Base Soil provides a rich, nutrient-dense foundation that helps your plants thrive.

“Always look for an organic soil that has compost added to it,” says Dawson. “This will increase the biodiversity in the soil, enhance water retention, and add much-needed nutrients.” Vego Base Soil meets these criteria beautifully, making it a reliable and eco-friendly choice for gardeners of all levels.

If you prefer a hands-on approach, preparing your own soil mix can be a rewarding way to tailor your garden’s needs. Consider consulting with your local nursery or joining a soil-making workshop to deepen your understanding and connect with fellow gardeners.

A sealed plastic bag of Vego Garden Base Soil with a brown label displaying product information, designed for eco beds.
A sealed plastic bag labeled "Regenerative Compost" containing dark compost material sits on a plain background. The label highlights 90% compost and 10% biochar mix.

4. Plant & propagate your food scraps

Once your space and soil are ready, it’s time to get planting! Many vegetables and herbs thrive indoors with the right balance of sunlight and water. Carrots, microgreens, lettuce, tomatoes, and herbs are excellent beginner-friendly options. If you have a bit more patience and space, dwarf avocado, lemon, and orange trees can also do well indoors, though keep in mind they may take several years before producing fruit.

Dawson suggests starting with herbs, leafy greens, peppers, and tomatoes. Here’s a quick breakdown of their basic needs:

Herbs

  • Require plenty of light and warmth
  • Can be harvested every 2–3 weeks
  • Need a relatively small space

Leafy Greens

  • Thrive with lots of light but tolerate cooler temperatures
  • Fast-growing with the ability to harvest and regrow

Peppers

  • Prefer lots of light and heat
  • Smaller varieties like jalapeño, chile, and habanero are great starters
  • Self-pollinating and prefers soil to dry out between watering

Tomatoes

  • Need abundant light and warmth
  • Cherry tomatoes and smaller varieties are ideal for indoor growing
  • Self-pollinating

For an even easier start, try scallions or ginger—both can be grown directly from grocery store bunches. For scallions, place the bulbs in water, changing it daily. Once the roots have doubled and new shoots emerge, transplant them into shallow soil. For ginger, plant an inch of organic ginger root in a pot with soil, place it in indirect sunlight and water daily, and watch it flourish!

Whether you’re starting with seeds or starter plants, commit to learning each plant’s unique needs for water, sunlight, and nutrients. Every plant is different, and tuning into those needs is key to a thriving indoor garden.

5. Feed your garden

Now that your garden is thriving, it’s the perfect time to start composting. We love using compact compost bins designed specifically for smaller spaces—they’re a simple way to reduce household waste while enriching your garden’s soil. If you’re interested in turning food scraps into nutrient-rich compost, consider setting up a worm composting bin. Worm castings naturally improve soil moisture retention, deter pests, and nourish beneficial microorganisms that keep your plants healthy. Composting isn’t just good for your garden—it can also save you money by reducing the need for store-bought soil conditioners and fertilizers. To give your plants an extra boost, try a natural plant food.

“Just like humans, plants need nutrients to grow and survive,” says Dawson. “Beyond light and water, the key nutrients essential for their success are N – P – K: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium.” Providing these in the right balance ensures your garden flourishes season after season.

6. Share & enjoy your harvest 🍅🪴

With patience and a little dedication, you’ll soon be rewarded with lush plants and fresh, homegrown produce right in your own space. When that moment arrives, consider sharing your harvest with friends, family, and neighbors—it’s a wonderful way to build community and inspire others to start their own small-space gardens. Swap tips, seeds, clippings, and even soil to keep the green spirit growing.

For ongoing support, look into urban gardening clubs or local MeetUp groups in your area. “If questions come up along the way, there are thousands of gardening communities and resources across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook,” says Dawson. “There’s pretty much a plant care video for every scenario these days!”

Most importantly, take time to savor the fruits—and greens—of your labor. After all, few things compare to the joy of biting into a tomato you nurtured from seed.

Kayti Christian is a Senior Content Strategist at The Good Trade. With an MFA in Nonfiction Creative Writing, her work has appeared in TODAY, Shondaland, and The New York Times. Since 2017, Kayti has been uncovering and reviewing the best sustainable home brands and wellness products. Her personal journey through four years of fertility treatments has inspired her to write extensively about women’s healthcare and reproductive access. Beyond her work at The Good Trade, Kayti is the creator of Feelings Not Aside, a Substack newsletter with 6,000 subscribers, and the cohost of the FriedEggs Podcast, which delves into IVF and infertility.