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This past month EDG volunteers created a small “patio” in the garden to demonstrate how edibles can be successfully grown in limited space. Too often gardeners are discouraged from growing edibles, believing that it takes a large back yard with room for long rows of plants. However, with the imaginative use of containers even a small deck, patio, or balcony can be converted into flourishing garden.

What are the basic requirements for growing edibles in small spaces?

Sun – Edibles need 4 to 6 hours of sunlight. Regardless of the size of the growing area, sun exposure is essential. Leafy crops such as lettuce and chard require at least 4 hours of sun per day and fruiting crops like tomatoes, melons, and beans need at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. It’s important to choose the sunniest spot on a deck or patio for an edible garden area.

Water – Container plants need water more often than those grown in the ground. The need to transport water to growing plants with buckets or watering cans can diminish the pleasure in growing edibles. While drip irrigation is ideal, a hose attached to a water source will suffice.

Containers – The possibilities for garden containers are numerous and range from commercial pots, planters, troughs, and bags to the creative repurposing of old pans and buckets, wooden crates, wheelbarrows, and, of course, wine barrels. A used filing cabinet with the drawers removed can make a great container for edibles. In the Demo Garden, a straw bale provides a patio container for yellow fin squash. Regardless of the type of container, good drainage is important so it may be necessary to drill holes to allow water to flow through easily.

Containers need to be deep enough to provide sufficient space for root growth. Depth requirements vary with the type of crop. Salad greens and some herbs can grow in 6- to 10-inch-deep containers while peas, eggplant, and peppers need at least 14 to 16 inches to develop a strong root system. Tomatoes in containers require a minimum soil depth of 18 inches.

Soil – The potting mix used in containers should be porous and fast draining, yet moisture retentive. A high-quality mix that contains compost and other organic matter is best. Garden soil is too heavy, difficult to keep evenly moist, and can harbor disease. Organic fertilizers should be added in frequent but light amounts as the watering that container plants require leaches nutrients from the soil.

Additional tips for small space edible gardening

Take advantage of vertical space – Trellises and stakes help tall and vining plants to grow upward. Use walls or fences as additional planting space by adding shelves, racks, or hanging baskets. A recycled step ladder is an inexpensive vertical gardening option. 

Avoid damage to structures – Use blocks or bricks under containers to prevent rotting wooden decks or stairs. Consider the weight of the soil and container when planting on a balcony.

Protect against animals and pests – Plants in containers are susceptible to the same pests as in-ground plants. Cages or netting might be necessary to protect against birds, squirrels, and other critters.

Don’t forget the pollinators – Adding a few flowering plants to a container garden can help to attract pollinators to the edibles and increase veggie and fruit production.
 

Click here for more information on growing edibles in containers.

Native Plants Attract Pollinators and Invite Beneficial Insects

Native plants also invite beneficial insects that are natural enemies of vegetable garden pests. Beneficials such as hoverflies, lady beetles, and lacewings go where they find the herbivorous insects they like to eat. It doesn’t matter to them whether their prey is on an edible plant or a native. The natives keep the beneficial insects nearby, so they are there to control pests when the vegetable crops are planted.

Native Plants Improve Soil Health

Native plants support soil biodiversity by providing habitat for beneficial microorganisms like fungi and bacteria. Some can act as nitrogen-fixers to improve soil fertility. Natives with deep root systems can improve soil structure by creating channels through which water and nutrients can penetrate. When the roots and leaves of the native plants die back, they add organic matter to the soil reducing the need for soil amendments.

Native Plants are Low Maintenance

Natives don’t need fertilizing and require little watering once they are established. While some need deadheading and cutting back, it’s best to minimize the kind of tidying up that’s done in the edible garden. The native plants can offer a refuge for beneficial populations, providing them with undisturbed nesting and overwintering sites. Ideally the native plants attract enough beneficial insects and other natural enemies to maintain a healthy balance so that pests are kept in check.

Native Plants Add Beauty and Interest

Native plants bring unique beauty to the garden. The natives planted in the Edible Demo Garden were initially chosen to provide blooms throughout the year. Some flower early and bring color into the winter garden and others extend their blooming period into late fall. They add contrast to the flowering of the vegetables and fruit trees. Ceanothus ‘Concha’ now masks the compost bins with its copious cobalt blue flowers in early spring.  Coast Aster, Aster chilensis, provides bright, daisy-like blossoms throughout summer and fall. Bees and hummingbirds enjoy the showy red tubular blooms of California fuchsia, Epilobium, into late fall. The goal to bring native plants into the Edible Demo Garden to provide year-round beauty has been achieved.

For more information on growing native plants, click here.

Tomatoes are among the top summer crops in the Edible Demo Garden and each year there are decisions to be made about which varieties to grow. Since there are reported to be over 10,000 varieties of tomatoes, it’s important to narrow down the selection considerably and plant only those varieties that grow well in Marin and are appealing to consumers. However, even within those broad parameters, many choices can be made. The Marin Master Gardeners typically offer sixteen varieties in their annual tomato plant sales. These are the varieties that have proven over the years to be the most popular with customers. Each year one or two new varieties may be offered to replace some that have not fared so well in terms of sales or customer reviews. Choices about new varieties are usually based on members’ recommendations.

The Tomato Experiment

This spring the Edible Demo Garden and the Edibles Guild launched a collaborative experiment to determine which of seven tomato varieties not previously sold in the tomato market, would be most successful in Marin’s different growing conditions. The experiment involved adopting out 132 plants grown in the Indian Valley Organic Farm & Garden greenhouse to 37 Marin Master Gardeners willing to try growing them in their own gardens. The seven varieties were:

• Costoluto Genovese – a classic red Italian heirloom
• Bicolor Marvel Stripe – a marbled red and gold heirloom
• Moonglow – a bright orange heirloom
• Mortgage Lifter – a large meaty red heirloom
• Magic Bullet – an elongated cherry-sized open pollinated variety
• Pink Berkeley Tie Dye – a wine-colored open pollinated variety with green stripes and pink flesh
• Amish paste – a small bright red heirloom best used for sauces

The tomato adopters agreed to submit data describing their experiences growing the trial tomatoes. They recorded the garden type, location, and microclimate, when the tomatoes were planted, how they were cared for, and when the first tomato was harvested. Then they subjectively rated the tomatoes on yield and taste. Finally, and most importantly, they answered the question – “would you grow this variety again?”.

Which varieties had the best results?

What matters most when choosing tomatoes to plant

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a tomato variety is the microclimate in the growing location. Tomatoes need sunshine and warm soil. All the experimental tomatoes required temperatures above 65 degrees and some preferred 75 degrees. During a typical spring, in most areas of Marin, around May 1^st is when the temperatures are best for planting tomatoes. Tomatoes planted before the air and soil are sufficiently warmed, will sit idly by until the conditions are right. Conversely, tomatoes don’t like extreme heat and will stop production during heat waves like those experienced in parts of Marin this summer.

Linked to microclimate are days to maturity. This is the average time it takes for the first ripe fruit to develop in ideal heat conditions. Magic Bullet, Pink Berkely Tie Dye, and Costoluto Genovese are considered mid-range, requiring 70 to 80 days to mature. The others are late maturers, needing more than 80 days to produce ripe fruit. Bicolor Marvel Stripe takes 95 days to mature. In cool areas of Marin, there may not be enough warm days for some late maturing tomato varieties to reach full production.

Click here for more advice on selecting and growing tomatoes. 

The supporting cast of herbs in the Edible Demo Garden includes basil, oregano, thyme, lemon verbena, chives, Mexican tarragon, anise hyssop, chocolate mint, lavender, pineapple sage, and rosemary. Some are harvested and sold fresh at the Indian Valley Organic Farm and Garden farm stand and others are dried and offered as seasonings and teas. They are among the most reliable plants in the garden.

What is an Herb?

The word “herb” can be applied to any non-woody plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for seasoning, medicine, or fragrance. It’s the culinary uses that most commonly interest home gardeners. Herbs are considered different from spices based on the part of the plant that is used. Spices are derived from the roots, bark, fruit, berries, and seeds of plants. Some plants can be both an herb and a spice. Coriandrum sativum, also known as Chinese parsley, is called cilantro when the green leaves are used as an herb and coriander when the seeds are used as a spice.

Why Grow Herbs?

• Herbs make good neighbors with other plants and can be easily integrated into both edible and landscape gardens. They are attractive enough to do double duty as ornamentals.
• Herbs are cost-effective. They are inexpensive to grow and can be harvested in the amounts required for a recipe. No need to spend money at the supermarket on packages of herbs.
• The blossoms on herbs attract pollinators and other beneficial insects.
• Herbs are usually not bothered by pests and diseases. Some herbs have been shown to repel pests affecting companion plants. An example is the ability of basil to deter thrips from invading tomato plants.
• Deer usually leave herbs alone, especially those with strong tastes and scents.
• Herbs grow well in containers and are a good choice when garden space is limited.

Tips on Growing Herbs

Some herbs are started from seed while others are easy to grow from cuttings. Information on the growing needs of common edible herbs can be found at http://marinmg.ucanr.edu/EDIBLES/EDIBLES_GROW_SHEETS/

Check the upcoming events listings on this website to register for a hands-on public workshop on growing and using popular edible herbs. There will be a workshop held on the College of Marin Indian Valley Campus on November 2, 2024, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.