container growing blog1

Preparing a Small Space for an Edible Garden

Even a modest balcony or compact yard in Saudi Arabia can be transformed into a productive edible garden. With thoughtful planning and the right plant selection, you can grow fresh herbs, vegetables, and edible flowers in limited space. This guide provides practical steps for maximizing yield and creating a sustainable garden at home.

Example of a small space edible garden on a balcony

1. Evaluate Your Growing Space

Identify an area that receives 6–8 hours of sunlight daily. In hot regions like Riyadh or Jeddah, use light shade during peak summer to protect plants from heat stress. Ideal growing spaces should include:

  • Reliable access to water
  • Good air circulation and natural light
  • Drainage and wind protection
A sunny balcony garden space prepared for planting

2. Measure and Plan

Take measurements and map out your space. Consider vertical gardening with shelves, hanging planters, or wall-mounted containers. Group plants with similar care needs together. Combine short-season crops like radish with long-season crops like eggplant to optimize harvests.

Drawing a garden layout plan for a raised bed or balcony

3. Prepare Your Soil

Use high-quality organic potting mix for containers and raised beds. Enrich with compost or aged manure to improve structure and nutrient levels. If planting directly in native soil, test and adjust pH (ideal range: 6.0–7.0), and amend with organic matter.

Mixing compost into container garden soil

4. Select the Right Plants for Saudi Conditions

Choose varieties adapted to the region’s heat and container growing. Recommended options from Botanvia’s collection include:

  • Cherry Belle Radish
  • Genovese Basil
  • Golden Zucchini
  • Roma VF Tomato
  • Marketmore 70 Cucumber (trellised)

Pair vegetables with pest-repelling edible flowers such as marigold or nasturtium to enhance resilience and pollination.

Botanvia seed packets for compact edible plants

5. Practice Intensive Gardening

Techniques like square-foot gardening and companion planting allow you to grow more in less space. Plant crops with similar needs together and use trellises to increase vertical growing area. For example, fast-growing greens can be planted between slower crops to maximize every square meter.

Vertical gardening using a trellis for cucumbers and tomatoes

6. Apply Succession Planting

Replace harvested crops with new ones throughout the season. In Saudi Arabia’s dual growing periods, plant cool-season crops from October to March and warm-season crops from March to September. This strategy keeps your garden continuously productive.

7. Planting and Spacing

Use appropriate container depths for different root systems:

  • Shallow (6–12 cm): herbs, lettuce
  • Medium (20–30 cm): radishes, carrots
  • Deep (30–45 cm): tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant

Start some plants from seed and others as transplants depending on space, time, and season.

Hands transplanting seedlings into pots

8. Maintain Regular Care

  • Water deeply two to three times per week
  • Use mulch to retain moisture and reduce weeds
  • Feed with organic liquid fertilizer every 2–3 weeks
  • Inspect for pests and remove damaged leaves promptly

For efficiency in hot months, consider drip irrigation or clay pot watering systems (olla).

Low-maintenance drip irrigation setup in small garden containers

Conclusion

A small edible garden is both practical and rewarding. With quality seeds, proper care, and space-saving techniques, you can enjoy fresh produce year-round—even in a compact area. Whether you’re growing for health, sustainability, or enjoyment, Botanvia is here to support your journey from seed to harvest.

Plant. Grow. Thrive. Green Starts Here.