Tiny Yard Container Garden: How to Grow $1,000 of Food

No space? No problem! Like most people, Mark Ridsdill Smith has a small front yard. Unlike most people, he has made it his mission to educate the world about how it is possible to maximize the yields from his limited space with his project Vertical Veg.

Using containers to take advantage of the vertical space available, Mark grows an estimated $1,000 worth of food in his garden. In this week's episode, Ben goes to see for himself just what can be done with a space this small. So fret not! Grow vertical veg!

And for even more small space inspiration and for how to get started on your own container food garden, watch this next:

Binge watch these videos! Swat up and get more bang for your buck!
🌱 X 🤓 = 💰

Grow more in the same space:

No raised beds? Grow in straw bales!

See how much you can grow in a family garden

If you love growing your own food, why not take a look at our online Garden Planner which is available from several major websites and seed suppliers:
and many more...

[Su-riob]

It's so nice to see a 'real' garden. Very few of us have the rolling acres commonly featured.

[dastamericus]

I love Mark. I've been on his mailing list for roughly 5+ years. He's my inspiration to garden vertically! He made me not feel crazy for extending my space go grow as much as possible. I live on the ninth floor and grow everything from apples to plums, potatoes, herbs, greens, and berries. I'm happy to see Mark on here. Thank you for featuring him.

[ASChambers]

Thanks for making this video. As someone who lives in a small two up, two down terrace house it can be so frustrating watching shows where gardeners are bemoaning their “small garden” which is about twice the size of my house! The reality of life is that most people are in the same situation as me with very little space and have to use containers and get creative. It’s wonderful to have a new resource to use. I look forward to exploring Mark’s website.

[lew]

I do the same living in nottingham city centre right in the city. This year I loved off all my own veg grew super hot chillis. Tomatoes. Tomatillos. Onions. Carrots. Herbs peas. Corgettes. Radish. Chard. Beetroot. Celtus. Italian kale (this is epic every day eaten it and it survives winter easily.) Potatoes all summer and now more in the ground in a cheap plastic greenhouse will be ready for christmas day. Also winter salad leaves in same cheapo greenhouse has and will provide me lettuce leaves and pak choi micro greens till spring. Great channel ive learned loads. Many thanks. All u need is a bit of space and prepared to graft a bit oh yes and make your own compost so you save money and get superior compost thats formed in your indiginous environment. ie it learns how to exist and overcome its surrounding

[EL-gufv]

I have a tiny house with only a front garden, which is quite large. So far I've had raspberries, strawberries, blackcurrants, rhubarb, cabbages, onions, garlic and lettuce. The idea of having raised pots would give much more space. Great advice!

[EliTHink]

Bless you . Am 60 and my vision was to grow everything to capacity. Absolutely wonderful...the good life family friends, chickens, cats, dog's and plants❤,

[magspies]

Mark has been doing amazing work for so many years. His newsletter are great gardening reminders! (Vertical Veg Org UK)

[wademillar]

Awesome! A man after my own heart. We have very limited space at our home here in New Zealand. So I converted a small 3 by 5 metre concreted space into a terraced garden area. This Spring I have planted 40 tomato plants (15 different varieties) grwon from seed along with Broad and Butter Beans, a Grape vine and several herbs. It's looking great and growing really well so far.

[katespencer]

Thank you I live in an apartment with a patio. It is so nice to finally see a garden close to my size. Now if I can get my plants to grow as good as yours. Thank you

[nnagle]

I like that there were small fruit like blueberries. It is wonderful that he can decide what is "in season" rather than rely on shops. Great hope for me when I downsize my house and land.

[summerflower]

Houses with trees and plants look so nice!!! With a garden it’s even better ! 🙏🏼❤️💐

[flowerpower]

I’m in Southern California. This is very inspirational as I have lack of full sun. If he can do this in the gloomy UK I can do it here. Thankyou Mark for sharing your beautiful, abundant garden . 😊

[RizeTB]

When I am cutting up my veggies on the counter I like to say to myself, “It doesn’t get better than this.”

[samueljaramillo]

Great garden. I think container gardening is the best way. All my garden is in containers.

[davidliner]

I work for a massive container nursery and have access to loads of old pots of varying size. I love to garden and have long thought about container gardening. This has really given me insight and motivation to move on it. Thank you!

[rosalindhb]

This is awesome. I grow in pots and grow bags on my porch backed in. I try and grow vertically. This year hasnt been great because of the extreme heat in Texas. But I have alot of greens growing in the fall. I love pea shoots in salads.

[reer]

What a star Mark. I was still in UK when I started following him many years ago. He is very generous with his knowledge and experience

[ericandrachallotmenteers]

Love it Ben! No matter how big or small the space you can grow an abundance of food you and your family love. I wish we'd done grow your own years ago and tell loads of friends to start!
Rach 💚🌱👩🏼‍🌾

[Dux]

Love this! I am also turning my city based garden with lawn into a wee veg and fruit plot! Small but oh so rewarding! Thank yo ufor this video. ☺

[zazhiita]

Mark seems like a genuine great person