Herb Boxes

The great thing about herbs is that they do not need much space to grow and many people have begun growing herbs in their own kitchens. This way, they can just clip off pieces that they need as they cook and the herbs are as fresh as can be. This is especially fun in a tiny home because everything is within reach anyway. You can set up a small area where you can grow two or three different herbs right in your kitchen. You can even have them on the windowsill so that they do not take up too much room and they can get optimal sunlight. 

Common herbs to choose for the kitchen are thyme, mint, parsley, cilantro, and basil. When choosing the right herbs for your tiny home, consider your diet and the meals that you make regularly. If you make a lot of Italian food, then you definitely should grow some basil, there is nothing like fresh basil on a margherita pizza or ground up to make pesto sauce for pasta. If you make a lot of Mexican cuisine, then cilantro is a must to place on top of tacos or mix into salsa. Whichever herbs you choose, you will love the fresh smells they provide and the pop of color they bring to your kitchen space.

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Verticle Gardening

This form of gardening is one of the best ways to grow a lot of plants in a small space. Instead of making space for a horizontal garden bed, which can take up a lot of space, you can build a vertical garden on the side of your tiny home. This way plants still have the space to grow, but will do it by climbing as opposed to spreading out horizontally. If you want to learn more about vertical gardening, check out the benefits online. Anyone can create a vertical garden with the help of a trellis set up on the side of your house. The best plants to grow with this technique are ones that are natural climbers like tomato plants, beans, and squash. Keep in mind that although this saves space, you do not want to overcrowd the vertical garden, so stick to two or three different plants to start out.

If you do not want to grow your vertical garden on a trestle, you can also purchase a hanging wall planter. These usually contain at least four individual planters and can be hung on the side of your house as well. This way, you can grow many different plants at once without worrying about them invading each other’s roots. As long as you prune regularly and keep the area maintained, you can have a very successful vertical garden.

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Recycled and Grey Water

When you live in a tiny home, you are often hooked up to an external water source as many tiny homes can be mobile if desired, if this is the case in your living situation, then consider saving money by watering your plants with recycled water. Many places like golf courses and sports fields use recycled water to keep their areas green and you can do the same. The first thing you need to do is research the recycled water resources in your area and see how you can access it and use it. As water gets more and more expensive and hard to attain, especially in drought-prone areas, this is a perfect way to save money and help the environment. 

Another way to gather water and reuse it is by taking grey water from sources in your home. Grey water is water that has been used to do dishes, shower, or even laundry. You can hook up a hose to these sources and let the water drain into an outdoor bucket where you can then reuse it to water all of your plants. Remember, although the sources listed above are safe for watering plants in your garden, never use water from a toilet as it will contain bacteria from human waste and will destroy your plants and make them inedible.

The last way you can find recycled water is to collect it in rain buckets. If you live somewhere that rains regularly, the plants that you have outside are probably getting enough water, but if you have an herb garden or potted plants inside, then collect rainwater and use it to water those plants. 

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Compost Gardening

If your tiny house is one that is equipped with a compost toilet, which many are, then you are literally sitting on a gardening gold mine. If you are into composting, then this is the perfect way to reuse materials and create rich soil perfect for gardening. If you are not familiar with the process of composting, do some research online and see if you have time to commit to it. Although it can be a long and arduous process, it is very rewarding and good for the environment. Compost soil is the most nutrient-rich soil you can use and it will produce beautiful fruits, vegetables, and any other plants you want to grow in your garden. 

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Compact Tools

When you are working in a small space, you want to find materials that can be easily stored and condensed into small shapes. Many companies sell gardening tools that can be folded up and stored in small spaces. You can also purchase multitools that fit several gardening tools into one gadget. This way, you just have one tool to store because every inch counts in a tiny home. 

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Community Gardening

Because living in a tiny home usually means that you do not have much space, it might also mean that you do not have a good area to start a garden in or around your home. If this is the case, do not let it deter you from gardening altogether. If you feel a passion for gardening, it is time to seek out your local community garden. There, you can easily plant the vegetables, herbs, and other plants you would like and do it while socializing with others from your community. It is usually pretty easy to join a community garden and you can rent out a plot of the land to do with what you want. 

If there are no community gardens close you to, maybe you can take on the task of opening one yourself. You can go to your local government and ask what it would take to start a project like that. You may be surprised by how many other people in your community want to garden as well. 

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Potted Plants

Potted plants are a classic staple in most homes, even tiny homes. If you are a beginner at gardening, this is a good place to start. Begin by purchasing one or two baby potted plants and watch them grow from the comfort of your tiny home. These potted plants will bring a spark of life into your space and produce extra oxygen, resulting in a healthier home environment.

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Regular Maintenance

When you are living in a small space, it is important to make sure that your plants do not grow out of control, because you do not have the space for it. Luckily, with plants like herbs, you will hopefully be using them a lot, so cutting them down will happen regularly. If you have established an outdoor garden, whether it's a garden on the ground or a vertical garden on the side of your house, you should check on your individual plants regularly to make sure that they do not get too intertwined. You will be surprised to find out as a new gardener that plants can grow very quickly in certain conditions. You may leave for a few days and return to see whole fruits or vegetables sprouting that were not there before. 

As your fruits, vegetables, and flowers start to bloom, make sure to prune them by cutting off any dead ends to allow new growth to happen. This will stimulate growth, but will also eliminate ugly dead spots and keep your garden looking fresh and healthy.

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Gardening is an activity that can be done by anyone at any age and in any environment. If you are someone who lives in a tiny home and doesn’t know where to start with your gardening journey, keep these tips on hand and try a few out in order to find your way in the gardening world.