No Yard? No Problem. Container Gardening Might be Just the Thing for You

Lifestyle

Jan 31

Written By Hannah

Many city dwellers dream of gardening but have little to no outdoor space. Luckily, that isn’t a barrier for entry anymore. Container gardening has recently taken the sustainable community by storm and allows anyone with a pot, dirt, seeds and a few tools to grow a variety of foods at home for a more sustainable (and tasty) life.

Benefits of Container Gardening

There are many benefits to creating a container garden. The first is the accessibility. Regardless of where you live, with a few supplies and seeds, you can grow many of your favorite herbs and veggies. While gardening does require time and attention, growing your own produce is much cheaper than store-bought. For the same price as 4 organic tomatoes you can buy a pack of tomato seeds that will yield anywhere between 30-90 tomatoes. Another important benefit of growing your own food is full control of the environment which ensures everything is free from harmful pesticides and GMOs. Plus, home-grown veggies just taste better.

Kits and Tools for Every Budget

Since container gardens are usually small, they require minimal space and tools to get started. It is possible to maximize the eco-friendliness of your container garden system to help you produce the best produce (see what we did there). Here are some kits and tools for every budget to get you started on your own container gardening journey.

Gardening Systems

If you’re new to gardening in general or feel overwhelmed by the mere concept of starting your own container garden, fear not: you have many options.

container garden system in living room with many leafy greens growing out — ***Gardyn***

Gardyn home kits can easily be set up in your home. Each kit comes with a tall structure that features multiple places to plant, well, plants. The vertical structure uses full-spectrum LED lights to stimulate plant growth and multiple sensors that allow you to monitor your plants using AI technology through a phone app. The system comes with 30 different seed packs for vegetables and herbs including lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and thyme. It also includes plant food to accelerate growth, setting even the most plant-inept new gardener up for success.

lettuce grow self contained vegetable growing stands 3 sizes — ***Lettuce Grow***

Another full-service option for new gardeners is Lettuce Grow. This vertical system makes growing your own vegetables easy and the minimalist modern design will look great no matter which room to chose to put it in. You can choose from a variety of different sizes of system, from a 12-plant to a 36-plant stand. Choose from over 50 varieties of edible plants that come pre-sprouted, giving you a 3-week head start on your gardening journey.

Tools

If the all-in-one kits aren’t your thing, you can take the more traditional route. All you really need to start your own container garden are seeds or seedlings, soil and a few supplies.

piles of terracotta pots — ***Pots***

Thrifted pots, especially terracotta, are the best and cheapest way to start your own container garden. Keep a few things in mind when you’re picking out the perfect pot: how much space you have, which plants you want to grow and if the pots have drainage. If you find a pot you love that doesn’t have drainage, pick up a plastic pot to set inside so your plants can retain the maximum amount of moisture and avoid root rot and other issues related to poor drainage.

5 gardening tools on a marble surface — ***Garden Tools***

You will need a few tools for planting. We love these Hand-Forged Garden Tools. Each tool is hand-forged in Holland from boron steel with ash hardwood handles and come with individual cloth bags, perfect for storing. Each kit includes 5 essentials: a potting trowel (necessary for scooping up soil), a weeder, a forged fork, a 3-tine cultivator, and a shorter trowel to dig into harder materials.

xl canvas utility tote with gardening tools and fresh veggies — ***Utility Tote***

The Canvas Utility Tote is great for storing your tools or carrying your harvest. It’s large and durable and can handle a heavy load. When harvesting, the side pockets allow you to easily grab the trowel or scissors you’ll need to dig up or clip your fresh veggies and herbs. Gardening can be a dirty job but the tote is fully machine washable making it easy to clean up.

unpainted ceramic watering can on marble surface — ***Watering Can***

The biggest mistake any container gardener can make is either over or under-watering their plants. With this uber modern Ceramic Watering Can, watering your container garden is easy. It features an easy-to-grip handle so you don’t have to worry about losing your grip. The long spout allows you to reach every veggie and get hydration exactly where your garden needs it without spilling. Plus, it’s made from all natural ceramic in small batches in Brooklyn.

blue gardening gloves on a white background — ***Gardening Gloves***

Even container gardening can get a little messy but these Gardening Gloves can protect your hands from the soil. They’re made from bamboo with a seamless liner inside and rubber coating outside, improving your grip while keeping your hands comfy.

Seeds

You are going to need seeds to plant in your garden. Here are couple organic, non-GMO seed companies we found.

seed packs on the table with pot and trowel — ***Row 7 Seed Company***

Row 7 Seed Company works with chefs, farmers, and plant breeders to create seeds that not only keep the soil safe but also produce food that tastes amazing when harvested. The seeds are all grown in the USA and organic, featuring a variety of unique veggies and herbs including potatoes, midnight roma tomatoes, experimental tetra squash, and a sweet wave snow pea blend.

garden starter kits with seed packs — *Modern Sprout*

The Vegetable and Fruit Seed Starter Kit is an all-in-one kit designed for beginner use. Each kit comes with greens like spinach, kale, and swiss chard; fruits like strawberries, watermelon, and mint; and mini veggies like mini cucumbers, baby eggplants, and cherry tomatoes. The seeds are non-GMO and come in compostable packaging that you can drop into soil directly.

Books

If you need a bit of inspiration or education, we’ve got you covered. Try one of these books to help inspire and guide your container gardening journey.