1. Plan Before You Plant
Skill Level: Beginner
Every inch counts in a small space. Christy emphasizes strategic planning before you touch the soil. That includes:
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Sketching your available space
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Taking note of sunlight hours
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Grouping plants by water/sunlight needs
Use graph paper or digital garden planning tools to map it out—this will prevent overcrowding and plant failure.
Learn how to design your compact layout with the planning worksheets in Christy’s book.
2. Choose High-Yield, Compact Plants
Skill Level: Beginner–Intermediate
In limited space, grow what gives the most return. Christy recommends:
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Dwarf tomatoes, bush beans, and leaf lettuce
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Vertical crops like pole beans, cucumbers, and snap peas
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Herbs like basil, parsley, and thyme
Pro tip: Prioritize crops you eat often and that grow quickly. Succession planting lets you re-use space all season.
High Yield, Small Space Organic Gardening includes detailed crop profiles and seasonal planting schedules.
3. Build a Raised Bed That Fits Your Space
Skill Level: Intermediate
Don’t have in-ground garden access? Christy teaches how to build custom-sized raised beds from lightweight, removable materials—ideal for renters!
Options include:
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Cedar or pine planks
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Stackable cinder blocks
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Fabric grow bags for ultra-portable setups
Her book walks you through this step by step, with clear diagrams and cost-saving tips.
4. Use Vertical Structures to Maximize Yield
Skill Level: Intermediate–Advanced
Trellises, towers, and arches are essential for small spaces. Christy shares ideas like:
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Rebar cages for tomatoes
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Bamboo teepees for climbing beans
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Wall-mounted pocket planters
Going vertical opens up ground space and improves airflow (which means fewer pests and diseases).
The book includes DIY trellis designs and how to train vines properly for maximum harvest.
5. Improve Soil with Compost & Organic Matter
Skill Level: Beginner
Healthy soil = healthy plants. And in containers or beds, you’re in control of what goes in. Christy recommends:
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Mixing in compost and worm castings
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Avoiding synthetic fertilizers
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Rebuilding soil between seasons
Even renters can compost indoors with bokashi or worm bins!
Get Christy’s homemade soil mix recipe, perfect for high-yield raised beds, in the book.
6. Set Up Smart Watering Systems
Skill Level: Intermediate
Water wisely—especially when you can’t be home every day. Christy explains how to:
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Use drip irrigation in raised beds
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Create self-watering containers
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Collect rainwater in small-scale barrels (if allowed)
Consistent watering = fewer stressed plants and higher productivity.
Diagrams and supply lists in the book make irrigation systems easy, even for first-timers.
7. Attract Pollinators in Small Spaces
Skill Level: All
Even a tiny patio can support bees and butterflies! Christy shares strategies to build a pollinator-friendly garden:
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Mix flowers like calendula, nasturtiums, and sunflowers with veggies
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Skip pesticides
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Plant a variety of bloom shapes and colors
Bonus: You’ll get more fruit and fewer pests when pollinators thrive.
There’s a full section in the book dedicated to biodiversity in tight spaces.
Final Tips for Renters
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Ask your landlord before building structures or placing heavy planters.
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Document your garden’s progress with photos (some landlords love improved curb appeal!)
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Use portable options whenever possible—grow bags, planters on wheels, or hanging pots.
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Keep receipts for reusable items in case you move.
High Yield, Small Space Organic Gardening
By Christy Wilhelmi | April 2025 | Fox Chapel Publishing
This all-in-one guide is packed with everything renters and small-space gardeners need:
-DIY raised bed instructions
-Organic methods from soil to harvest
- Trellising tips, watering plans, and layout designs
-Beginner-friendly with tons of diagrams and real photos
🛒 Available now at FoxChapelPublishing.com