You don't need a large garden to cultivate a thriving collection of flowers, herbs and vegetables. With a little creativity, overlooked spaces such as walls, fences, balconies and even shed sides can become productive growing areas.
The secret is to think vertically. Affordable solutions including wall-mounted planters, hanging baskets, recycled containers and compact pots can help you make the most of every inch without sacrificing valuable floor space.
1. Make the most of hanging baskets
Hanging baskets are one of the easiest ways to expand your growing space, letting you cultivate flowers, herbs and even vegetables without taking up room on a patio, balcony or in a small garden.
Compact tomato varieties are particularly well suited to baskets. Angharad James, brand manager at Maxicrop, recommends cultivars such as 'Tumbling Tom Red', 'Red Robin' and 'Hundreds and Thousands', all of which thrive in smaller containers.
2. Turn your shed wall into a vertical herb garden
Sheds and garden buildings offer valuable vertical growing space that's often overlooked. By attaching wall-mounted planters, recycled tins or small containers to the outside wall, you can create a thriving herb garden without sacrificing precious floor space.
Peter recommends planting:
- rosemary
- thyme
- chives
- mint
- parsley
'Just make sure you leave a small gap between the containers and the timber cladding to allow air to circulate and avoid trapping moisture,' says Peter Mortin, garden expert at Crane Garden Buildings.
3. Utilise window boxes for plants – and veg
Window boxes aren't just for flowers – they provide a simple way to grow herbs, fruit, vegetables and other edible crops, especially where garden space is limited.
When planting balcony containers and window boxes, Jane Fairlie, horticultural specialist working with Barratt London, recommends using lightweight composts. 'Peat-free composts are often lighter than peat-based alternatives, as they contain coir or wood fibre, which reduces overall weight once watered,' she suggests.
4. Grow upwards with climbing vegetables
Climbing plants are perfect for small spaces because they use height rather than limited ground space. Try growing beans, peas, or cucumbers using supports, trellises or towers.
Stackable strawberry towers are another clever option, allowing you to grow multiple plants vertically within a compact footprint.
5. Use old ladders and shelves as plant stands
Old ladders and shelving units can be transformed into affordable tiered plant displays. Use them for pots of herbs, flowers, strawberries or salad crops to create height while keeping plants organised.
6. Add planters to balcony railings
Balcony railings can become productive growing areas with the right containers. Lightweight planters are ideal for herbs, flowers and smaller crops, helping renters and apartment dwellers create a greener outdoor space.
'Wall pockets are a practical and decorative solution, allowing plants to be mounted vertically on a wall. These can be filled with herbs, flowers, grasses or a combination to create a living display. Some systems include built-in automatic watering which helps maintain moisture levels during dry weather,' explains Jane.
Argos Home Metal Grey Planter - Set of 3
7. Don’t ignore your fence
'Fences are probably one of the most underused parts of any garden. Lightweight pots, pocket planters or modular wall systems can all be attached,' states Peter.
'I tend to recommend mixing edible plants with ornamentals rather than choosing one or the other. Herbs, strawberries and trailing tomatoes can happily sit alongside colourful annuals, creating something that's both productive and decorative'.
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The pots that do the watering
