Small-space gardening: How to maximize your harvest on a windowsill or balcony

Microgardening means getting a surprisingly big harvest from a windowsill or balcony garden

Chives in bloom appear in a raised garden bed on Long Island, N.Y., on May 24, 2022. (Jessica Damiano via AP)

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Chives in bloom appear in a raised garden bed on Long Island, N.Y., on May 24, 2026. (Jessica Damiano via AP)

Read More Indoor-grown microgreens are harvested on Long Island, N.Y., on Jan. 29, 2024. (Jessica Damiano via AP) 2 of 2 |

Indoor-grown microgreens are harvested on Long Island, N.Y., on Jan. 29, 2026. (Jessica Damiano via AP)

Read More Microgardening means getting a surprisingly big harvest from a windowsill or balcony garden Chives in bloom appear in a raised garden bed on Long Island, N.Y., on May 24, 2022. (Jessica Damiano via AP) 1 of 2 |

Chives in bloom appear in a raised garden bed on Long Island, N.Y., on May 24, 2026. (Jessica Damiano via AP)

Small greens on repeat

Microgreens — 2- to 3-inch seedlings of certain edible plants — are perfect candidates for such succession. They sprout quickly indoors in as little as a week, and are easy to grow. Just scatter seeds over light, sterile potting mix in a shallow, domed pan, then set it in a warm, sunny spot and keep the soil slightly moist.

Arugula, broccoli, cabbage, kale, mustards, mizuna and radish are among the fastest sprouters, but beets, chards and nasturtiums work, too, typically germinating in 10-14 days.

When the sprouts produce their second pair of leaves (which are their true leaves; the first pair are called cotyledons), use sharp scissors to clip them at the soil line and enjoy them in smoothies, salads, sandwiches or stir-fries. Then plant more and start over, or, better yet, sow more seeds every few days to ensure a steady supply.

Good things come in small packages

Outdoors, the same small thinking can be applied to fruits, vegetables and herbs, which traditionally can take up a large portion of a garden’s real estate.

Basil, leaf lettuces and mint are among those that can do the most with the least. Comfortable in containers, they’ll also regrow to provide multiple harvests all season long.

You can even grow dwarf apple, fig and other fruit trees in 10- or 20-gallon planters, as well as in the ground.

Use the space you have

Your garden’s square footage might be limited, but you may be looking at it the wrong way. Instead of down and out, look up, and the sky’s the limit. Trellises, hanging baskets and wall planters will host flowers, herbs, berries, greens, and compact or dwarf varieties of traditionally larger plants like tomatoes, peppers and eggplants.

If you’re short on patio or balcony space, use multi-tiered stands to hold several pots in a single footprint.

And let your flower pots pull double duty. Plant strawberries and herbs around annuals, and let them spill over the container’s edge.

When planting flowers, think in layers: Use taller plants in the back, mid-height ones in the middle and ground-huggers in front. The design strategy adds depth, even in a thin strip or a window box — and will provide the best bloom for your buck.

Pretty and practical

Seek out multi-tasking plants that provide beauty as well as food. Crops like amaranth, chives, rainbow chard, red lettuces and sweet potatoes will add lovely ornamental value to beds, borders and containers before working a second shift on your dinner plate.

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Jessica Damiano writes regular gardening columns for The Associated Press. She publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter. Sign up here for weekly gardening tips and advice.

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