Easy to Grow Food for All Sized Spaces: Guest Post by Linda Bear
Hey there! Just a heads up – this content may contain some affiliate links. That means if you decide to purchase something I've recommended, I might earn a small commission (while you don't pay anything extra). It's like a virtual high-five from the vendor for introducing you to their awesome products, and I genuinely appreciate your support! Rest assured, I only recommend tools and resources I truly believe in.
Want fresh ingredients without having to got to the shop so often?
Don’t we all.
Growing food often seems like an activity for farmers, retirees, or people with too much time on their hands. And when you are balancing business and family, it sounds like one of those someday dreams that couldn’t possibly fit in the craziness of our life.
Yet, food grows naturally everywhere without human intervention. Picture a happy racoon washing an apple in the river. Apple trees produce fruit for 50+ years with no maintenance required.
Even if you don’t have enough space for a food forest, you can grow delicious fruit, vegetables, herbs, and protein in any sized space, wherever you are.
Growing food is a fresh and nourishing way to supplement what your family eats. But the benefits go far beyond happy tummies. The joy of the experience, the knowledge gained, and the calming effect of being around plants provide a wealth of benefits.
It is entirely possible for you to grow something tasty whether you have a small apartment, medium balcony, typical garden, or large backyard. No experience required and minimal time or investment necessary. Here are some easy ways to grow food in your space.
Small Spaces, Big Impact: Kitchen Herbs and Sprouts
Even the smallest spaces, like a kitchen counter or windowsill, can host a thriving portable garden.
Almost every herb grows well in pots, which makes it easy to have fresh ingredients on hand. Just snip and add to any recipe.
For an even easier snack to grow, look into sprouting. It is simple to sprout seeds of all kinds in any sized space. It even fits a nomadic lifestyle. And it is a fresh tasty, protein-packed addition to salads, sandwiches, stir-fry and so much more.
There are so many ways to grow in a small space it is inspiring what people come up with. Vertical gardens, potted plants, and portable food forests are all excellent options.
Some of the easiest foods to grow in a small space are:
- Green onions or chives
- Mint and many herbs
- Sprouts and microgreens
Beyond the Kitchen: Balcony and Patio Gardens
If you have a little more space and are eager to grow a wider variety of sustenance for your family, you can grow fruit, vegetables, and flowers that can thrive in these spaces.
Families need food forests, so if it is possible to plant permanently, this is where you start. Berries and fruit trees are an investment in abundance as you plant them once and they provide a delicious harvest for years to come.
When you move beyond kitchen gardens, you start thinking about how to preserve what you have grown. Yes, eating fresh is best, but that’s not always practical or possible. So, you can store what you have grown to enjoy all year round.
Here are some of the best ways to grow food for storage:
- Freeze berries and other fruit for easy, kid-friendly smoothies
- Store dried fruit and veggies for cooking and snacks
- Make pickles, sauces, and other preserves out of extra vegetables
- Collect herbs to dry for tea
You'll also love:
Create systems for using your home-grown produce
Find harmony between work and nourishment
"Cooking as a Way of Bonding and Connecting with Your Kids"
Discover practical kitchen activities for children of all ages
Large Spaces: Backyard Family Garden Adventures
In a large space the possibilities are endless. Whether you have a big backyard, garden, or other growing space, a food forest is the easiest way to harvest an abundance with less maintenance and care.
A food forest is a collection of permanent tress, bushes, and plants that are edible and grow in a sustainable way.
Planting a garden for annual vegetables and herbs can be just as rewarding. Some veggies like carrots, onions, radishes, salad greens, and edible flowers are easy for those with little growing experience.
The main differences between a food forest and are garden are time and longevity. A garden will require more effort to care for and needs to be replanted every year. A food forest is planted once and the harvest increases year after year.
Some easy to grow food for large spaces include:
· Larger crops like potatoes and corn
· Simple veggies and salad greens like lettuce, spinach, and tomatoes that kids can plant and pick.
· Berry bushes for fresh snacking and preserving for storage.
Start Where You Are and Seek Local
Growing your own food is not only delicious, it also relieves stress, boosts creativity, and improves focus for work-at-home parents and kids’ learning and living alongside you.
You don’t have to plan a complex growing system or start something that takes an overwhelming amount of time (unless you are looking for a new hobby).
Sprouts require no soil. Only moisture and somewhere to grow.
For everything else you can start growing in 3 easy steps:
- Pick your location and soil (pots, containers, or in ground).
- Choose what to grow (start from seed, or purchase plants).
- Plant and water.
Then you wait. Waiting is the hardest part but the payoff is worthwhile. And once you get into the rhythm of it, fresh food becomes part of your life.
While it is difficult to grow all the food you ever need to eat, it is simple to start growing food wherever you are. Growing food is a wonderful way to create a connection to what you eat. It is also an opportunity for growth and quality time with your children, family, and friends.
No matter the space available, you can plant delicious and nutritious food to enrich your family’s life and well-being. Take that first step by starting with one herb or veggie and let everyone share in the process from documenting growth, harvesting, and enjoying the taste of something grown by your own hand.
If you have any questions please reach out and share pictures or stories of your own kitchen gardens, sprouting space, or garden.
Connect with Linda at Abundant Forest Life on FaceBook
Check out the website
And grab her growing food freebies here
Plus check out my article at Abundant Forest Life Cooking with Kids: Kitchen Bonding Guide
Bulit on Systeme
© 2025 Tech & Tastes
All rights reserved.