My first Bellingham apartment was too tiny to accommodate anything larger than a twin bed. Even so, the place had its perks: I didn’t have room for a desk, but I did have a glorious, west-facing window that let in every ounce of afternoon sunlight. In retrospect, that window would have been ideal for an herb garden.
Not all of us are blessed with ample yard space (or any space at all) — but whether you have a small plot, a porch or a single window, it’s still possible to grow your own garden. In honor of spring’s arrival, I spoke to Paige Lanham from Garden Spot Nursery in Bellingham to learn more.
What you eat
Lanham said customers often come in asking about what plants are easiest to grow, or what will work best with the layout of their space. In her view, however, these folks are asking the wrong question.
Many fruits, veggies and herbs can be grown with limited space — the bigger question is, what kind of food do you enjoy eating? Bonus points if the produce you choose isn’t available locally or is expensive: think heirloom tomatoes, unusual fruit varieties, et cetera.
Growing produce on your porch
Even those with limited space can grow fruits and veggies, including Whatcom County’s most prized export: the humble berry. Lanham recommends dwarf varieties, such as the delightfully named raspberry shortcake raspberry, which is self-pollinating and diminutive enough to grow in a small strip or even a pot.
There’s also the sapphire cascade blueberry, which is the first blueberry variety able to be grown in a hanging basket. Top hat blueberries are another small variety, at just 2 feet tall and 1.5 feet wide at full maturity, and they can also tolerate colder temperatures.
Herbs are another good option for folks low on space, as they can be planted close together. Compact herbs like chives, oregano and mint work well in small areas such as window boxes. Also make sure to research which herbs play well with others: For example, marjoram, dill, thyme and lavender complement each other, whereas mint is quick to take up space and best planted alone.
As for leafy greens, varieties like Swiss chard and kale grow larger than is practical when you’re limited on space. However, Lanham recommends lettuce as an easy, high-reward green that can be grown in small areas or containers.
Mix it up with companion plants
Make the most of the surface area you have, and don’t be afraid to plant compatible edible plants close together, especially if they’re mutually beneficial. This is a practice known as companion planting, and almanac.com has a handy guide to plants that work best together. Companion planting can also benefit the environment by attracting bees and butterflies, keeping surrounding plants healthy and potentially warding off pests.
Companion planting doesn’t just apply to produce: You could even throw in ornamentals like marigolds or borage. Not only is this aesthetically interesting, but certain benefits (such as increased nitrogen production and altered soil biochemistry) may even boost your produce yields. Lanham is also partial to hyssops, as they grow to a maximum 1.5 feet tall and are known to draw pollinators.
Get creative with the space you have
Who says you need a yard to grow a garden? To maximize porch space, Lanham suggests thinking upwards. Multi-tiered plant stands and vertical garden setups are practical yet stylish solutions. Tomatoes are typically grown vertically using trellises, whereas produce such as strawberries, lettuce, peppers, cherry tomatoes and even eggplants can be grown in hanging baskets.
It’s also possible to grow veggies and herbs indoors, especially if you’re willing to learn about hydroponics. Hydroponic systems use nutrient-rich water in place of soil and can be established outside or inside. Plants grown using hydroponics may grow more quickly: Since nutrients are delivered straight to their roots, they don’t have to expend energy burrowing into the soil. (You see? Full-sized gardens are overrated!)
You can buy a premade hydroponic setup from local nurseries, or even make your own setup with PVC pipes.
Rely on local resources
Finally, for gardening questions big and small, Lanham urges folks to make use of the educational tools we have right here in Bellingham — there are plenty of them if you know where to look.
Garden Spot offers classes most weekends, with listings available online at garden-spot.com/class-list. My Garden Nursery, Kent’s Garden and Nursery, Cloud Mountain Farm Center and Christianson’s Nursery (in Mount Vernon) are also excellent local resources.
Whatcom Community College’s Community and Continuing Education Program has a variety of gardening courses. Additionally, members of the Master Gardener Foundation of Whatcom County are certified by the WSU Whatcom Extension Master Gardener Program and provide mentorship and education to the community.
Cocoa Laney is CDN’s lifestyle editor; reach her at cocoalaney@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 128.
