🪴 Grow Where You Are: 5 Real Tips for Container Gardening in Small Spaces

Eric & Maleka Beal
Aug 3
3 min read

No yard? No problem. You can still grow food, herbs, and confidence with a bucket and some sunlight.

Let’s get one thing straight: you don’t need land to grow something real.

At Camp 8 Garden, we’ve grown lettuce in storage bins, green onions in jars, and mint in busted plastic pots from the Dollar Tree. It’s not about having the “perfect” garden. It’s about working with what you do have and watching it come to life.

So if you're working with a porch, a patio, a balcony, or a windowsill, this one's for you.

Here’s your beginner-friendly guide to container gardening in small spaces.

No overwhelm.

No gatekeeping.

Just 5 real tips to help you get growing.

🌱 1. Choose the Right Container (But Don’t Overthink It)

Here’s the truth: you don’t need fancy planters.

If it can hold soil, drain water, and sit in the sun, it’s fair game.

✔️ Try this:

5-gallon buckets (we love these!)
Storage bins
Reused nursery pots
Large mixing bowls or old coolers (drill a few drainage holes)
Even reusable grocery totes (lined or fabric)

🛒 Want to see what we use at Camp 8? Check out our Amazon Garden Storefront for budget-friendly supplies we’ve tested ourselves.

Drainage tip: If your container doesn't have holes, make some. No one likes soggy roots.

🌿 2. Don’t Use Dirt from the Yard

This one matters more than people think. Yard soil is too heavy for containers and can cause root rot or pest issues. Instead, go for:

Potting mix (not “potting soil”)
Raised bed mix (if you’re filling a big container)
Or mix your own: 1 part compost + 1 part coconut coir or peat + 1 part perlite or vermiculite

You want soil that’s light, drains well, and holds just enough moisture.

🧺 3. Match the Plant to the Pot

You wouldn’t wear a size 6 shoe if you’re a size 10. Same goes for plants.

Here’s a quick cheat sheet to get started:

Container Size What You Can Grow

1–2 gallons Green onions, lettuce, herbs (basil, thyme, parsley), radishes

3–5 gallons Peppers, kale, spinach, bush beans, carrots, chard

5–7 gallons Tomatoes (dwarf or patio varieties), eggplant, beets, cabbage

10+ gallons Potatoes, full-size tomatoes, squash, collards

If you’re short on space, go vertical, use hanging baskets, wall planters, or stackable pots.

☀️ 4. Chase the Sun

Most edible plants need 4–6 hours of sunlight, minimum. If your space doesn’t get full sun all day, move your containers like you’re chasing that golden hour.

Try this:

Track the light in your space (morning, afternoon, evening)
Rotate containers every few days
Use rolling plant stands or milk crates to shift things around

Leafy greens and herbs can tolerate partial shade, so start there if your space is limited on light.

💧 5. Water Smarter. Not Harder

Containers dry out faster than in-ground beds. But that doesn’t mean water 24/7.

The finger test is your best friend:

Stick your finger an inch into the soil.
If it’s dry—water.
If it’s damp—wait.

Water in the morning, if possible. And don’t forget hotter temps = thirstier plants.

A small watering can or recycled juice bottle works fine. No fancy irrigation system needed.

🧑🏽‍🌾 Camp 8 Reminder:

Don’t let a lack of space stop you from growing something.

You can grow:

Mint in a coffee mug
Lettuce in a tote bag
Tomatoes on your front steps
And a whole new level of confidence just by planting a seed

Start where you are. Use what you have. Grow something.

🪴 Ready to Get Growing?

Here’s your challenge for the week:

Find one container. One crop. One sunny spot.

Grow with us and tag your progress using #Camp8Garden so we can root for you (pun intended).

🛒 Need supplies? We put together a list of the exact buckets, tools, and starter kits we use:

👉 Visit the Camp 8 Amazon Garden Storefront

👩🏽‍🌾👨🏾‍🌾 Keep Growing with Us:

Got questions about planting? Drop them in the comments below or tag us on Instagram @betterchoicesco.
Want to see what we’re growing? Catch us on video.