Starting a Garden Without a Yard: My Simple Patio Week One Progress

Living in an apartment with no yard, I used to think gardening was out of reach. This week, I started a small garden right on my patio, proving you don’t need a big backyard to grow your own plants. All it took was a little planning, creativity with containers, and picking the right plants for a limited space.

In this post, I’ll share my step-by-step setup from choosing what to grow to getting the soil and containers just right. Whether you have a balcony, stoop, or a tiny corner outside, making a patio garden is possible and surprisingly simple.

Key Takeaways

• Choosing suitable plants makes a big difference for small garden success.

• The right containers and setup help maximize patio space.

• Good soil and plant food are essential for healthy growth.

Choosing The Plants

Growing food in limited space means every container matters. I focused on edible plants that suit small patios and provide quick wins for beginners.

Strawberries

I picked strawberries because they work well in containers and don’t need much space. Since they spread by sending out runners, I started with everbearing varieties in a hanging basket and a deep pot.

These berries prefer at least six hours of sun, so I placed them on the sunniest edge of my patio. Consistent watering is key, but the soil can’t stay soggy. I used a moisture-retaining potting mix with added compost and a slow-release fertilizer pellet.

I learned early not to overcrowd the plants. I kept them spaced out to allow air flow—which helps prevent mold and diseases. The small white flowers are already blooming and the look of tiny berries is rewarding.

Jalapeño

Jalapeño peppers are compact and thrive in containers, making them a good pick for small patios. I chose a sturdy eight-inch pot for one plant, filling it with nutrient-rich potting soil mixed with perlite for drainage.

Jalapeños love warmth, so I kept this pot near a sunny wall to maximize heat. Consistent moisture is important, but I made sure runoff could drain freely to avoid root rot. I check soil dampness by poking a finger an inch down; dry means water, moist means wait.

To get a head start, I bought a seedling at the garden center instead of starting from seeds. I also plan to feed the plant with a diluted liquid vegetable fertilizer every two weeks. Since peppers can get heavy as they grow, I added a short stake for support.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a classic container crop. For my small patio, I picked a determinate cherry tomato variety since it stays compact and fruits early. I planted it in a ten-inch pot with a cage for support.

Tomatoes need at least 6–8 hours of direct sun daily, so I kept the pot in an area with all-day sunlight. I used a potting mix high in organic matter and topped it with a layer of mulch to hold moisture. Regular watering is critical—letting the soil dry out too much can mean cracked fruit or blossom end rot.

I also pinch off the lower leaves to improve air flow and reduce disease risk. As the plant grows, I check for pests every couple days, focusing on the undersides of leaves, and removed any early suckers to keep the plant tidy.

Lettuce

Lettuce grows quickly and does well in shallow containers, so I chose a mix of loose-leaf varieties. I scattered the seeds thinly in a shallow window box filled with lightweight potting soil and a bit of worm castings.

Shady spots help lettuce avoid bolting, so I put the planter where it gets morning sun and afternoon shade. Light watering every day keeps the soil evenly moist—wilting happens fast in small pots. I labeled the types I planted to keep track, since I chose a blend of red and green leaves.

Harvesting just the outer leaves lets the plants keep producing. This way, I can pick salad greens every few days rather than waiting for a whole head to mature. I mixed in a few edible flowers like nasturtiums for color and variety.

Picking The Right Setup

I had to be smart with space, so I compared two approaches based on how much sunlight they needed, ease of watering, and their fit for my plants. This helped me match my goals with my patio’s limits.

Elevated Garden Bed

I chose an elevated garden bed after looking at a few options at my local hardware store. These beds lift plants above the ground, keeping the soil warmer and discouraging pests. Assembly was simple—just a screwdriver and about thirty minutes.

The raised bed stands about waist high, which means I don’t have to stoop down. I filled mine with a mix of compost, topsoil, and organic potting mix for drainage and nutrients.

Pros:

• Easier access for planting and harvesting

• Better drainage than pots set straight on the patio

• Can support trellises for climbing plants

Cons:

• Needs more soil to fill

• Can dry out faster, so regular watering is key

I put mine where it gets at least 6 hours of sun.

Wildflower Pot

For color and pollinators, I started a large pot with mixed wildflower seeds. Wildflower pots are low-maintenance and take up only a small corner. I added potting soil, then scattered the seeds lightly before covering with a thin soil layer.

Wildflowers don’t need much water once they sprout, which suits me since I forget to water sometimes. The blooms attract bees and butterflies, and the flowers fill in unevenly, giving the pot a natural look.

I set the pot in a sunny spot, rotating it every other day for even growth. For extra interest, you could mix in a few hanging baskets nearby, fill it with trailing nasturtiums. That combination could give your patio more layers and uses vertical space that would otherwise go to waste.

The Right Soil And Plant Food

Getting my patio garden started meant paying close attention to both the kind of soil I use and how I feed my plants. For containers, good soil and proper nutrients can make a big difference in how well everything grows.

Soil

I quickly learned that regular garden soil isn’t great for pots—it can get dense and hold too much water. I went with a quality potting soil because it’s lighter, drains faster, and gives roots more room to grow.

Some mixes come with organic matter like peat moss or coconut coir, which keep moisture balanced. I read that mixing in a bit of well-rotted compost can help too, adding helpful microbes and some slow-release nutrients.

To keep things healthy, I did a simple soil test with a kit from the hardware store. This helped me check the pH, which should be around 6.0 to 7.0 for most veggies and herbs. It also told me if I needed to add more organic matter.

Fertilizer

Container gardens need more fertilizer than in-the-ground beds. Watering can wash nutrients out fast, so I add food regularly. I use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every couple of weeks, especially one with a good amount of nitrogen since veggies use a lot for leafy growth.

Sometimes, I use an organic mix made from fish emulsion or seaweed extract. For slow-release, I sprinkle a little granular organic fertilizer into the soil at planting.

Here's a quick table of what I found works well:

Fertilizer Type Use Notes Water-soluble (10-10-10) Every 2 weeks Balanced nutrients Fish emulsion/seaweed Monthly Adds trace minerals Granular organic At planting, midseason Slow, steady release

By watching for pale leaves or slow growth, I can adjust feeding as needed. That way, everything gets just enough—without overdoing it.

Conclusion

I didn't expect my patio to feel so different after just one week. With a few large containers and small raised beds, it's already looking more vibrant.

Honestly, most of the work came down to planning—making sure I left space between each container and choosing plants that won't outgrow the area.

After just a week, I can already see the garden is easy enough to manage, and there's still room to adjust things if needed.