I Built a Container Garden on my Apartment Patio (And You Can Too!)
A small patio can easily become a thriving container garden where you can grow fresh, juicy produce right at home!
Living in a downtown Austin condo, I thought gardening would have to wait. But I turned my patio into a thriving container garden with veggies, herbs, and even fruit trees!
Why I Started My Patio Garden
Before moving to downtown Austin, I lived in a house 45 minutes away on 1/3 of an acre in Georgetown, TX. I poured so much love and effort into making that house perfect for me. After finishing the interior and moving in, I began working on the yard.
The backyard didn’t have much grass, as it was shaded by big oak trees. I installed a sturdy chicken coop and let my three chickens roam freely, eating bugs and acting as natural pest control. I planted native plants in the shade to attract pollinators and had just started planning a big, beautiful garden for the sunny side-yard.
I ended up renting out my house and moving to Houston. After a couple of months, I realized it wasn’t my place. So, I left my furniture and my chickens behind and moved into my sister’s furnished condo in downtown Austin.
After a few months of “city life,” I began to miss having access to fresh, homegrown produce. I had a large patio but no plants or containers. I decided to get creative and transform my patio into a mini oasis!
Planning Your Space for Patio Gardening
When I started planning my patio garden, I measured the space and observed how much sunlight it received throughout the day. This was crucial in deciding what I could grow.
Determining Sunlight Needs
My patio is shaded in the mornings and early afternoons but gets full sun from noon to sunset. If you’ve ever experienced Texas afternoons, you know how intense that kind of sunlight can be—it affects both water needs and plant resilience. Identifying your patio’s sun exposure will help you choose plants that thrive in your specific conditions.
Time Commitment
Before diving into gardening, think about how much time you want to dedicate to maintenance tasks like watering, pruning, and harvesting:
If you have limited time (10–15 minutes a week), start small with an herb garden, a LettuceGrow Farmstand, or low-maintenance native plants.
If you’re ready to dedicate a few hours each week, the possibilities are endless—just make sure your plants match your climate and patio’s sunlight levels.
Pro Tip: Vertical Gardening
If your patio is tiny, vertical gardening can help you maximize space. I’ve been using the LettuceGrow Farmstand for almost 10 years, and I’m a huge fan! It’s low-maintenance (just 10 minutes of weekly care) and even comes with optional glow rings for growing indoors or in low-light conditions.
Choosing the Best Plants for Small-Space Gardens
When I first started my patio garden, I wanted to grow everything. But with limited space, I had to focus on plants that thrive in containers and offer the most benefits.
What I Planted:
I started with a mix of herbs, vegetables, and fruits that are compact and productive:
Herbs: Basil, parsley, mint, and thyme—perfect for cooking and easy to grow.
Vegetables: Radishes, carrots, jalapeños, zucchini, mini cucumbers, and various types of leafy greens like arugula and lettuce—all thrive in containers and produce quickly.
Fruits: I added some strawberries, a lemon tree, a peach tree, and a couple of blueberry bushes for fun!
Beginner-Friendly Options:
If you’re new to gardening, these plants are almost foolproof:
Herbs: Basil, thyme, sage, chives, and oregano are easy to maintain and don’t take up much space.
Leafy Greens: Spinach, arugula, and lettuce grow fast and can be harvested multiple times.
Compact Veggies: Bush beans, radishes, carrots, cucumbers, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes.
Matching Plants to Your Space:
If your patio gets full sun (6+ hours a day): Choose tomatoes, peppers, and fruits like citrus or strawberries.
If your patio gets partial sun (4–6 hours): Opt for leafy greens, herbs, and shade-tolerant veggies like radishes.
Pro Tip: Edible Flowers
Mix beauty and function by incorporating edible flowers like marigolds or nasturtiums. Not only do they add a pop of color, but they’re also great for deterring pests!
Matching Plants to Your Space:
The key to a successful patio garden is working with the sunlight and space you have:
If your patio gets full sun (6+ hours a day): Go for tomatoes, peppers, and fruits like citrus or strawberries.
If your patio gets partial sun (4–6 hours): Stick to leafy greens, herbs, and shade-tolerant veggies like radishes.
Pro Tip: Edible Flowers
Mix beauty and function by incorporating edible flowers like marigolds or nasturtiums. Not only do they add a pop of color, but they’re also great for deterring pests!
By choosing plants that suit your space and skill level, you’ll set yourself up for a thriving garden—and maybe even a few homegrown meals!
Setting Up the Containers
Once I had a plan for my patio garden, it was time to set up the containers and prepare the soil.
Choosing Containers
Starting on a budget, I used fabric grow bags (available online or at nurseries) and repurposed the plastic containers my plants came in. Over time, I saved up for ceramic pots, which are both beautiful and durable—but definitely not cheap!
One Essential Rule: No matter what kind of container you use, make sure it has drainage holes. Without drainage, excess water will pool, leading to root rot and eventually killing your plants.
Pro Tip: Thrift stores, yard sales, and local buy/sell groups are goldmines for affordable containers.
Prepping the Soil and Fertilizer
For the soil, I opted for the most affordable organic mix I could find and enhanced it by making my own potting blend:
Base Soil Mix: Organic potting soil combined with perlite (for drainage) and fresh compost (as a natural fertilizer).
To save money, I made my own fertilizer using a mix of alfalfa pellets, molasses, compost, and water. Here’s my recipe:
DIY Fertilizer Recipe:
4 lbs alfalfa pellets
2 Tbsp organic molasses
3/4 gallon warm water
1 shovel-full (ish) of fresh compost
Instructions:
Mix all the ingredients in a large container (I used my kitchen trash bin at the time).
Cover the mixture with two towels and let it ferment in a warm place for 24 hours.
Once fermented, mix the fertilizer into the top 3–5 inches of your soil to feed your plants.
Pro Tip: Mulch Matters
To keep soil moisture consistent in the Texas heat, I used natural mulch (no dyes!) or cut straw. Mulching helps reduce water evaporation and protects plant roots.
Maintaining a Patio Garden
Once your patio garden is set up, the key to keeping it thriving is consistent care. Even with limited space, your plants need attention to grow healthy and strong. Here’s how I maintain my urban oasis:
Watering Schedule:
Patio gardens in containers can dry out quickly, especially in hot climates like Austin.
I water my plants daily during the summer and every other day in cooler weather.
For herbs and leafy greens, I check the soil daily—if the top inch feels dry, it’s time to water.
Pro Tip: Use self-watering pots or add a layer of mulch to keep moisture in during hot days.
Feeding Your Plants:
Container plants rely entirely on you for nutrients, so I feed mine regularly with:
A diluted organic fertilizer every 2–3 weeks.
Homemade compost (yay, compost worms!) for a natural nutrient boost.
Pest Management:
Pests will find your patio garden eventually, but you don’t need harsh chemicals to manage them.
Natural Remedies: I use neem oil for aphids and a mixture of water and dish soap for other pests.
Companion Planting: Growing marigolds or basil alongside tomatoes can help deter bugs.
Seasonal Adjustments:
Gardening in Texas means dealing with extreme weather, so I’ve had to get creative:
During hot summer days, I cover my plants with a shade cloth to protect them from the intense sun.
In winter, I use frost covers or bring smaller pots inside to keep my plants cozy.
Pruning and Harvesting:
Regularly prune your plants to remove dead leaves and encourage new growth.
Harvest herbs often—snipping the tops encourages them to grow back fuller.
Pro Tip: Grouping Similar Plants
Group plants with similar needs together (like sun-loving veggies or shade-tolerant greens) to make maintenance easier and more efficient.
By establishing a simple routine, your patio garden will thrive, no matter how small your space is. And trust me, there’s nothing better than enjoying fresh herbs or veggies you’ve grown yourself!
Weather Challenges and How I Overcame Them
One of the biggest challenges of patio gardening is dealing with unpredictable weather. From summer storms to winter freezes, your plants need a little extra care to stay healthy and thriving. Here’s how I keep my garden safe, no matter the season:
Placing Containers on Rollers for Easy Mobility
One of the best decisions I made for my patio garden was putting my larger containers on rollers. These make it easy to move plants around as needed, whether it’s to catch more sunlight or protect them during a storm.
Why Rollers Are Essential:
They allow you to quickly move plants under cover when heavy rain, hail, or high winds are on the way.
For delicate plants, moving them out of harm’s way is much easier than trying to secure them where they are.
Pro Tip: Look for heavy-duty rolling plant caddies or make your own with caster wheels attached to a wooden base. They’re a lifesaver during sudden weather changes, especially in storm-prone areas like Austin.
Winter Weather Protection
In colder months, even a mild freeze can damage or kill your plants. Preparing your garden for winter is essential, and frost cloths are my go-to solution.
Using Frost Cloths:
Frost cloths are lightweight fabric covers that help trap heat and shield plants from freezing temperatures.
I drape them over my plants in the evening when frost is expected, securing the edges with rocks or clips to prevent the wind from lifting them.
For Extra Protection:
Move smaller plants indoors or under a sheltered area (thanks again, rollers!).
Group containers together and place them against a wall for added warmth. Walls radiate heat retained during the day, offering a buffer against the cold.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have frost cloths, old sheets or lightweight blankets can work in a pinch. Just make sure they don’t weigh down the plants.
Planning Ahead for Extreme Weather
Keep an eye on weather forecasts, so you have time to move or cover your plants before a storm or freeze.
For plants that are particularly sensitive to cold (like citrus trees), consider investing in portable heaters or insulated wraps.
By taking these simple precautions, you can protect your patio garden from storms, cold snaps, and everything in between. With a little planning and the right tools, your plants will stay healthy and happy all year long!
Creating my patio garden in downtown Austin has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It’s a constant reminder that you don’t need a huge backyard or perfect conditions to grow something meaningful. With a little creativity, planning, and care, you can transform even the smallest space into a thriving oasis of fresh produce, vibrant herbs, and even fruit trees.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, I hope this guide has inspired you to start your own patio garden. Remember: it’s all about working with what you have, being patient, and learning as you go.
If I can build a thriving garden on a patio in the heart of downtown Austin, you can do it too! I’d love to hear about your gardening adventures—what you’re growing, your challenges, and your successes. Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments or on social media.
