When I first started growing veggies at home, I didn’t have much space, or much of a clue.
But once I learned that I could grow almost anything in a container, it opened up a whole new world of fresh tomatoes, herbs, and greens.
If you’re like me, craving fresh produce but short on space, these container garden ideas might just be what you need.
1. Raised Bed Container Garden
I started with a small raised bed on my patio. It was nothing fancy, just a wooden box I filled with good soil.
The best part? I didn’t have to dig or deal with weeds much. I grew lettuce, carrots, and even tried a few radishes.
If you’ve got a sunny spot and some old timber, this is a great place to begin. You can control the soil and keep things tidy.
2. Window Box Garden
My kitchen window gets just enough sun, so I popped a few window boxes out there. Game-changer.
I filled them with basil, parsley, and tiny lettuce. Every time I cooked, I’d reach out and grab what I needed.
These boxes are perfect for herbs or leafy greens. You don’t need much, just good drainage and decent sun.
3. Vertical Pallet Garden
I saw a wooden pallet on the roadside once and brought it home, yes, just like that. I stood it up, added landscape fabric, and filled it with soil.
It turned out to be the coolest little lettuce wall ever. Took up barely any space, too.
If your floor space is limited, go vertical. Pallets work well for shallow-rooted veggies and save tons of room.
4. Upcycled Tin Can Garden
My pantry was full of empty coffee tins, so I cleaned a few, punched drainage holes, and turned them into herb pots.
They looked so charming lined up on my porch railing, especially with little plant markers made from popsicle sticks.
If you’re into recycling like I am, this one’s a feel-good project. Great for herbs, green onions, or spinach.
5. Hydroponic Bucket Garden
This one felt high-tech at first, but once I set up the bucket and pump system, it was surprisingly low-maintenance.
I grew cucumbers without dirt, and the results were fast, like, really fast.
If you’re curious about trying something new and want fewer pests and mess, a hydroponic bucket is worth the experiment.
6. PVC Pipe Garden
I had leftover PVC from an old project, and my husband helped drill holes into it. We filled it with soil and laid it along the fence.
I planted spinach and thyme, and they actually thrived. It looked modern and saved space.
If you like the idea of a sleek, low-profile garden, this one’s creative and surprisingly productive.
7. Whiskey Barrel Garden
I found an old whiskey barrel at a flea market and drilled a few holes in the bottom. It became the perfect planter for tomatoes.
It holds a lot of soil, so the roots grow deep, and the rustic look fits right into any porch or yard setup.
Big barrels like this are great if you want to grow larger plants in one container. Just make sure it drains well.
8. Hanging Basket Garden
My mom used to hang flower baskets from the porch, so I decided to try the same with strawberries and cherry tomatoes.
They looked beautiful and saved floor space. Plus, they’re right at eye level, which makes snipping easy.
If you’ve got hooks or a strong railing, give this a shot. Just keep them watered, they dry out quicker than you’d think.
9. Grow Bag Garden
I bought a few grow bags online last year, and honestly, I wasn’t expecting much. But they surprised me.
Potatoes and onions grew like crazy. The fabric let them breathe, and they were easy to move around.
If you’re tight on space or want something that stores easily after the season, grow bags are lightweight and smart.
10. Rolling Cart Garden
This one was a happy accident. I had an old metal cart with wheels, and I turned it into a mobile veggie station.
I arranged trays of herbs, baby greens, and even a few radishes. I just roll it around to follow the sun.
If you’ve got a spare utility cart, don’t toss it, use it. It’s a fun, flexible way to keep veggies close.
11. Plastic Storage Bin Garden
I had an old plastic tote sitting in the laundry room, so I drilled holes in the bottom and filled it with soil. Instant planter.
It was deep enough for carrots and even supported a couple of pepper plants. I kept it near the back door for easy access.
If you’ve got an unused bin or tub, give it new life. Just make sure to poke drainage holes so the roots don’t rot.
12. Laundry Basket Garden
Yes, a laundry basket. I lined mine with a few layers of newspaper and filled it up with potting mix.
I was shocked at how well it drained and how easily my zucchini plants grew. The handles even made it easy to move.
If you need something quick and don’t want to buy new containers, this one’s a fun and unexpected option.
13. 5-Gallon Bucket Garden
I picked up a few 5-gallon buckets from the hardware store for next to nothing. With a few holes drilled into the bottom, they were perfect.
I used them for tomatoes, bell peppers, and even beans. They’re deep enough for root systems to spread nicely.
They stack, store easily, and last forever. If you’re starting small, this is a reliable go-to container.
14. Colander Garden
My neighbor was tossing an old colander, and I just knew it’d make a cute hanging planter.
I lined it with some coconut fiber and planted basil inside. It drained beautifully and looked adorable on the porch.
Don’t underestimate your kitchen cast-offs. Colanders are great for herbs and are built to drain.
15. Fabric Hanging Shoe Organizer Garden
I hung one over the fence and popped in small amounts of soil and herb seedlings. Each pocket got its own mini garden.
Mint, thyme, parsley, and even lettuce fit perfectly. The vertical setup kept everything tidy and visible.
If you’ve got one collecting dust in a closet, give it new purpose. It’s ideal for growing little bits of everything.
16. Wooden Crate Garden
I found a stack of old wooden crates at the farmer’s market and decided to give them a try.
I lined the inside with landscaping fabric so the soil wouldn’t fall through, then planted spinach and kale.
They were so easy to stack or move around, and they gave the garden a rustic, farmhouse vibe that I loved.
17. Recycled Paint Bucket Garden
After a renovation, I had a few empty paint buckets lying around. I gave them a scrub and punched in drainage holes.
They turned out great for growing green beans. Their tall shape worked especially well with a small tomato cage.
If you’re doing home repairs or know someone who is, keep a few buckets aside. They’re super handy.
18. Wooden Ladder Shelf Garden
I leaned an old ladder shelf against the back wall of my patio and filled each step with small pots of greens.
It didn’t take up much floor space and made everything easy to reach. Plus, it looked kind of charming.
This one’s great if you’ve got more vertical space than ground area. Works wonders for herbs and salad mixes.
19. Concrete Block Planters
We had leftover cinder blocks from a project, and instead of tossing them, I filled the holes with dirt and started planting.
They were perfect for shallow-rooted herbs like chives and cilantro. Plus, they stay put even in bad weather.
It’s a heavier option, but if you want something low-profile and super stable, these are solid—literally.
20. Hanging Gutter Garden
I mounted an old piece of rain gutter along the side of my shed, and it became the best lettuce planter I’ve ever had.
I just added end caps, filled it with soil, and spaced out a few seeds. Watering was simple, and harvesting was quick.
This one is great for leafy greens and works beautifully in narrow spaces where traditional pots won’t fit.
21. Tiered Strawberry Planter Garden
I bought a cheap tiered plastic planter labeled for strawberries but ended up using it for all kinds of little things.
Parsley, green onions, nasturtiums—they all did great. It looked so pretty, too, with the layers spilling over.
This is perfect for someone who wants a decorative piece that also grows food. Just keep it near the sun.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a backyard or fancy tools to grow vegetables. If I can do it with coffee tins and a cart, so can you. Just start small.
Pick one method that fits your space and try a few easy veggies. Watching them grow, harvesting your own dinner, there’s something about it that just feels right.
Let me know if you want a printable checklist or help picking the best veggies for each container type!