Compact Plants for Patio Gardeners

New cultivars of compact edible plants are released onto the market every year. An increasing number of gardeners have growing space that’s limited to a small area, such as a patio garden, a raised bed, or containers. Because of this, plant breeders and seed companies have dedicated much effort toward increasing the number of pintsized fruits, veggies, and herbs available to home gardeners, while also paying careful attention to flavor, disease resistance, and productivity.

All the plants on the following list require a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of full sunlight per day, so select a planting site that receives plenty of sun. You’ll also want to avoid a location near large, established trees with extensive root systems that may out-compete your veggies. (Obviously, this won’t be a factor if you’re growing in containers.) Having