Start Here

You do not need a yard, experience or expensive gear. Follow these five steps in order and you will have a productive small-space garden this season.

  1. 1

    Check your light

    Track how many hours of direct sun your space gets. Everything else depends on this number.

    Read: Balcony gardening for beginners
  2. 2

    Get the container basics right

    Pot size, drainage, potting mix and feeding are behind almost every success or failure.

    Read: Container gardening for beginners
  3. 3

    Pick easy plants that match

    Choose three to five plants suited to your light and exposure instead of whatever looked nice.

    Read: Best balcony plants
  4. 4

    Learn to water properly

    Deep, need-based watering beats a schedule. This one habit saves more plants than any other.

    Read: How often to water container plants
  5. 5

    Fix problems early

    Yellow leaves, wilting and stalled growth all have simple causes. Diagnose them in minutes.

    Read: Why leaves turn yellow

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