Trying to grow a great garden in a tiny amount of space? It’s easier than you think! Here’s why, plus a list of plants that will grow great in a small balcony garden.

If you’re trying to garden on a balcony or patio, you’re probably used to jealously eyeing larger garden plots, but there are actually some benefits to gardening in a smaller amount of space.

For one thing, you’re not as likely to get overwhelmed, and with focused attention, you can keep your plants and soil healthy much more easily than you could with a large garden area. You can also grow a surprising amount of food in a very limited amount of space, if you approach it the right way. It all comes down to accepting your limitations, and growing plants that do well within these constraints.

Instead of wishing for a larger garden area, why not view your balcony or apartment garden as an exciting challenge to grow the best garden possible in the least amount of space? The list below will give you a ton of great ideas for what to grow, no matter how small your garden area may be.

From common to exotic, here are just a few of the awesome plants you can grow on a patio or in a balcony garden:

Ginger

Ginger needs shade, so if your balcony doesn’t get a lot of direct light, plant ginger!…

Basil

Basil is a no-brainer. Start from seeds in a pot of well-drained soil in at least half sun….

Bush Beans

Bush beans are so easy to grow that it’s almost embarrassing….

Strawberries

Strawberries are the consummate container plant….

Blueberries

Blueberries work remarkably well in good-sized pots….

Dwarf Mulberry

Dwarf mulberry varieties are shrubbier than their tree relatives and can easily be kept growing at only a few feet tall…

Oregano

Oregano is really easy to grow in pots and will take shade or sun…

Japanese Persimmon

…Though they may not be the most productive addition to your balcony gardening plans, they do make marvelous fruits and are easy to grow in a large pot…

Kumquat

The kumquat is another excellent small tree, and likely more productive than the Japanese persimmon…

Key Lime

The Key lime is a nice small tree, so why not add Key lime pie to your balcony gardening?..

Lemon

Lemons are also easy, easy, easy to grow in pots. They’re not very big trees to begin with and the constraint of growing in a pot will help keep them from getting out of control…

Calamondin

…Calamondins are very beautiful trees with nicely-scented blossoms…

Turmeric

Turmeric is a form of ginger and is a high-value crop that gives curry its yellow coloration and earthy spice. Grow it the same as ginger…

Hot Peppers

Hot peppers do really well in pots…

Cranberry Hibiscus

Cranberry hibiscus is a dark red-leafed perennial hibiscus with tart leaves that are excellent in Caesar salads, plus it makes a nice hedge…

Coffee

Coffee is a great potted plant for shady spaces. If it’s freezing cold outside, let it live in your living room until warmer conditions return. The yields aren’t high but the novelty is great…

Rosemary

Rosemary likes lots of sunshine and not too much water…

Tomatoes

Tomatoes may actually be easier to grow in a pot on a balcony than they are to grow in the garden. The pest problems are fewer, plus they get perfect soil from the beginning…

Lettuce

Lettuce is really easy to grow in pots…

For more info on growing all of these crops in your balcony garden, visit TheGrowNetwork.com…