Every item on this page was chosen by a The Pioneer Woman editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
It takes a lot to start a vegetable garden: choosing the right vegetables to grow and buying seeds, and then there's planning the actual yard space. Of course, there's nothing like the neat and tidy rows of traditional raised garden beds, with everything lined up and planted in an orderly fashion. But, sometimes, you simply don't have the space. If you live in an apartment with a balcony, a condo, or house with a small yard, you've got to get a little more creative. Fortunately, there are vegetable garden layout ideas for any size of yard.
A few factors will help you decide the best layout plan for your vegetable garden. Depending on your plant hardiness zone, you'll want to make sure you find a location for your garden that receives full sun, which is considered 6 or more hours of direct sunlight per day. Many garden favorites, such as tomatoes and bell peppers, like it even hotter, so 8 or more hours is ideal. Very few vegetables will tolerate mostly shade, so if your yard is shaded all day, your best bet is to opt for a container garden that you can place where you do have full sun exposure. Also, make sure you have access to water; that sounds obvious, but if you have to haul watering cans or drag a hose too far in the heat of summer, it's not the most pleasant experience! Still feel up to the challenge? To inspire you, here are the best vegetable garden layout ideas including designs, products, and tips to make your garden even more productive.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
1
Hang a Pot Vegetable Garden
Short on space? Try various hanging pots, which works well for many different types of edibles including strawberries, herbs, and lettuce. Bonus: it keeps your plants away from animals in your garden such as bunnies!
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
2
Prop Up a Ladder Garden
A repurposed ladder makes the perfect foundation for lots of pots of herbs without taking up a ton of space on your patio or deck. It also accommodates different sizes of pots and window boxes, as shown here, for a pretty and appealing display.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
3
Interplant with Flowers
If you don't have a dedicated garden plot, plant edibles alongside your flowers. There's always room to tuck pretty plants such as Swiss chard and nasturtium here and there throughout your garden. Plus, the local pollinators will thank you!
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
4
Line Them in Tidy Rows
This layout is the most traditional, and it definitely is appealing! You can plant tight rows of plants that don't mind chilly weather such as lettuce, then pull them out when they go to seed as hot weather hits. Replant a heat lover such as beans in the same space.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
5
Grow Them on a Trellis
Growing up is always a space-saving option. Plus, some veggies, such as cukes and squash, are more productive and less vulnerable to disease with vertical support (due to better air circulation).
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
6
Grow Vegetables in Pots
Place various sizes of pots on the stairs leading to your home. The benefit is that each plant gets its own container so they're not competing for nutrients or moisture.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
7
Try Companion Planting
Many gardeners believe that by planting certain combinations of plants together, they're mutually beneficial—keeping away bad insects and attracting the good ones. Here, cabbage is interplanted with signet marigolds (also edible!) for a pretty and practical display.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
8
Construct Raised Beds
Raised beds are the best way to deal with poor soil; they also warm up a bit faster in the spring than the ground. You can purchase one or DIY one from wood (don't use pressure-treated, which can leach chemicals) or concrete paver stones.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
9
Grow in a Vertical Garden
If hungry garden visitors keep munching on your produce, try this ingenious solution: Long metal containers, such as repurposed gutters, can be mounted to stakes. Just be sure to punch holes in the bottom of each container, and plant shallow-rooted veggies such as various types of leaf lettuce, creeping herbs such as thyme, or kale.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
10
Set Up a Windowsill Garden
If you don't have a bit of space outdoors, a windowsill garden still allows you to grow something useful! Herbs are the best choice because they're easy to grow, many adapt to indoor conditions, and they're so expensive to buy at the grocery store. Just make sure they get plenty of bright light.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
11
Mount a Wall Garden
Simple shelves or a repurposed wooden pallet make a great hanging vegetable garden. Herbs and lettuce do especially well, and you won't have to share with the neighborhood critters because they can't reach!
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
12
Fill a Pocket Garden
This idea is inexpensive and so cute! Repurpose hanging shoe organizers (just make sure the material is porous or poke 3 to 4 holes in each plastic pocket) to grow shallow-rooted veggies such as lettuce. You'll also find fabric pockets specifically designed for planting.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
13
Grow in Stock Tanks
Stock tanks keep having a moment! Why? They're nearly indestructible, last for years, and are just about the right height for comfortable access--especially if you have back issues. Look for bottomless tanks or poke lots of holes in a traditional stock tank for drainage.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
14
Use Window Boxes
Dress up windows in a pretty, practical way with a window box full of vegetables or herbs. You can also hang window boxes from deck railing to maximize your space.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
15
Arrange Shallow Containers
Why buy lettuce that just ends up going bad in the crisper? Plant shallow containers with various kinds of lettuce, and harvest when you need it. Wait a week or two in between sowings. That way, you'll keep the harvest going longer.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
16
Make Tall Raised Beds
You don't have to forgo the fun of gardening if you have a bad back or achy knees. Raised bed planters at waist height can accommodate you and make gardening more fun, less painful.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
17
Grow in Fabric Bags
Fabric bags are a great way to grow vegetables because you can fold these bags up for storage at the end of the season. They're especially good for crops such as potatoes because it's easier to layer soil and to harvest.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
18
Go Hydroponic
Hydroponic gardens are less messy because the plants grow in water, not soil. Consider these for indoor gardens if you have zero outdoor planting space or sunlight. Many come in kits that include a grow light.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
19
Stuff in Straw Bales
Believe it or not, you can grow vegetables in straw bales! It's fun, clean, and can be done anywhere, such as the edge of your property or even on pavement. The bales typically last a season or two, and you can recycle the rest in your compost bin.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
20
Strawberry Garden
Here's a cool idea for an edible garden! Cut holes into pipe and mount high off the ground to keep your plants away from munching garden visitors. This works especially well for plants that can drape over the edges, such as strawberries. Just be sure to drill some holes for drainage on the bottom of the pipe.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert in gardening and vegetable cultivation, I can provide you with information related to the concepts mentioned in this article. Here are the key points:
Factors to consider for vegetable garden layout:
- Sunlight: Most vegetables require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, while some, like tomatoes and bell peppers, prefer 8 or more hours .
- Water access: Ensure that you have easy access to water for your garden.
Vegetable garden layout ideas:
- Hang a Pot Vegetable Garden: Hanging pots are a great option for small spaces like balconies. They work well for growing strawberries, herbs, and lettuce.
- Prop Up a Ladder Garden: Repurposed ladders can be used to create a vertical garden with pots of herbs and window boxes.
- Interplant with Flowers: Plant edibles alongside flowers to maximize space. Swiss chard and nasturtium are good options.
- Line Them in Tidy Rows: Traditional raised garden beds with neat rows are visually appealing. You can plant different vegetables in tight rows and replace them as the seasons change.
- Grow Them on a Trellis: Using a trellis allows you to grow vertically, saving space. Cucumbers and squash are good candidates for trellis growing.
- Grow Vegetables in Pots: Place pots of various sizes on the stairs leading to your home. Each plant gets its own container, preventing competition for nutrients and moisture.
- Try Companion Planting: Planting certain combinations of plants together can be mutually beneficial. For example, cabbage can be interplanted with signet marigolds.
- Construct Raised Beds: Raised beds are ideal for dealing with poor soil and warming up faster in the spring. They can be purchased or DIYed using wood or concrete paver stones.
- Grow in a Vertical Garden: Long metal containers, like repurposed gutters, can be mounted to stakes for a vertical garden. Shallow-rooted veggies like lettuce and herbs are suitable for this setup.
- Set Up a Windowsill Garden: If you have limited outdoor space, a windowsill garden allows you to grow herbs indoors. Ensure they receive plenty of bright light.
- Mount a Wall Garden: Simple shelves or repurposed wooden pallets can be used to create a hanging vegetable garden. Herbs and lettuce do well in this setup.
- Fill a Pocket Garden: Repurpose hanging shoe organizers or use fabric pockets designed for planting to create a pocket garden. Shallow-rooted veggies like lettuce can be grown in these pockets.
- Grow in Stock Tanks: Stock tanks are durable and provide comfortable access for gardening. Look for bottomless tanks or create drainage holes in traditional stock tanks.
- Use Window Boxes: Window boxes can be used to grow vegetables or herbs, adding a practical and aesthetic touch to windows or deck railings.
- Arrange Shallow Containers: Plant shallow containers with various kinds of lettuce, harvesting as needed. Wait a week or two between sowings for a continuous harvest.
- Make Tall Raised Beds: Raised bed planters at waist height are suitable for gardeners with back or knee issues. They make gardening more comfortable and enjoyable.
- Grow in Fabric Bags: Fabric bags are portable and can be folded up for storage. They work well for growing crops like potatoes.
- Go Hydroponic: Hydroponic gardens grow plants in water instead of soil, making them less messy. They are suitable for indoor gardens with limited space or sunlight.
- Stuff in Straw Bales: Vegetables can be grown in straw bales, which are fun, clean, and versatile. They can be placed anywhere, even on pavement.
- Strawberry Garden: Cut holes into pipes and mount them high off the ground to keep plants away from garden visitors. This setup is especially suitable for plants that drape over the edges, like strawberries.
These ideas provide various options for vegetable garden layouts, allowing you to make the most of your available space and resources. Happy gardening!
