Home Outdoors Garden
Erica YoungUpdated: Dec. 13, 2023
From raised beds to balcony planters, these simple vegetable garden ideas will inspire you to turn your outdoor space into a bountiful harvest!
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Courtesy @chapman_collection/Instagram
Rooftop Vegetable Garden
We never knew how much we needed a rooftop garden until we saw this jaw-dropping space from @chapman_collection. Imagine tending to your garden while viewing a city skyline view like this. Plus, there’s no shortage of sunlight on a roof, so these vegetables are sure to be healthy and happy.
You can build them from a kit. By the way: A rooftop garden is not the same as a green roof.
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Courtesy @thewiedmeyerhomestead/Instagram
In-Ground Vegetable Garden
Although planters keep vegetables contained and tidy, there’s something to be said for an old-fashioned vegetable garden planted directly in the ground, like this one from @thewiedmeyerhomestead.
Wheatgrass covers the pathways between the tidy rows of veggies, and a fence surrounds the whole thing to keep out critters. A layer of small rocks around the fence prevents hungry rabbits from burrowing underneath.
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Courtesy @drabtofab/Instagram
Redwood Vegetable Garden
This garden space by @drabtofab makes a huge visual impact. The raised beds and planter wall are made from naturally durable redwood, which has gorgeous coloring and resists warping and splitting. Plus, the position of the wall allows for morning sun and afternoon shade — ideal conditions for thriving veggie plants.
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Courtesy @bendi.kangkong/Instagram
Balcony Container Vegetable Garden
If you don’t have a large yard, you don’t have to give up your vegetable garden dreams. A container garden, like this one from @bendi.kangkong, takes up less space and can be placed anywhere, including a patio or balcony. This is a great option for renters because you can take your precious plants with you when you move.
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Courtesy @thebackyardfarmco/Instagram
Unique Shape Vegetable Garden
Raised garden beds come in all shapes and sizes, but you’ve probably never seen a vegetable garden like this one from @thebackyardfarmco. Rather than individual beds, the wood-framed garden bed wraps around the whole perimeter of the fence. The creative layout maximizes growing space while keeping all the plants within easy reach.
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Octagon Vegetable Garden
You can DIY this octagon-shaped garden from @woodblocx available in the United Kingdom, made of modular building blocks held together with plastic dowels — no power tools or cutting required!
The unexpected octagon shape brings chic style to an outdoor space, and the three heights fit more vegetables in a small space. Here’s another octagon garden bed available in the U.S.
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Courtesy @potager_urban_garden_design/Instagram
Courtyard Vegetable Garden
These cedar box garden beds from @potager_urban_garden_design turn this small courtyard into a living pantry. The beds contain mostly herbs, with blueberries and granadilla (AKA sugar fruit) planted to climb the trellises. With the kitchen nearby, it’s just a few steps to snip off fresh ingredients for dinner.
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Courtesy @elho.world/Instagram
Stack-and-Grow Vegetable Garden
Take advantage of your available vertical space for vegetable growing with these stack and grow planters from @elho.world (available in the United Kingdom). They stack horizontally or vertically (up to three boxes tall) to create a custom vegetable wall. They also come with drainage holes that allow excess water to drip down to the lower plants.
Here’s a stackable planter kit available in the U.S.
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via merchant
Tower Vegetable Garden
Grow leafy vegetables and herbs in this Farmstand tower garden in as little as three weeks. Choose your seedlings, add the included nutrients and let the self-watering and self-fertilizing hydroponic system do all the work. And the best part? No dirt means no digging or weeding, and little mess!
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Courtesy @rootsandknuckles/Instagram
Rain Gutter Vegetable Garden
Not a lot of ground space? Grow vegetables directly on a wall or fence with a rain gutter garden like this one from @rootsandknuckles. Vinyl rain gutters are affordable, lightweight for easy hanging, and can be easily cut with a hand saw. Be sure to drill small holes along the bottom of the gutter for proper drainage.
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Courtesy @flowerstreetaz/Instagram
Wall Vegetable Garden
Short on yard, deck or even balcony space? With this option, all you need is a blank wall!
Transform your wall into a living garden with this vertical garden unit from @flowerstreetaz. The three tiers are made of naturally rot-resistant cedar. The fitted drip line makes watering easier. Check out these other inspirational vertical gardens and planters.
Originally Published: June 07, 2022
Erica Young
Erica Young is a freelance writer and content creator, specializing in home and lifestyle pieces. She loves writing about home decor, organization, relationships, and pop culture. She holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Arizona State University, the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
