Small Space Gardening: Grow Food on a Balcony, Backyard or Windowsill
I know what it’s like to be renting and desperate for healthy food.
Sometimes it’s because groceries are expensive, and sometimes it’s because you want food that’s fresh, alive, and grown without relying on chemical sprays. You just want something real — food that you can trust.
But not every landlord is thrilled about the idea of a veggie garden.
More than once, I’ve been told to “pull it down,” “restore the lawn,” or, worst of all, “move out” because we didn’t share the same ideals about what a healthy home looks like.
At first, I felt disheartened. All I wanted was to grow food. But then I realised — I didn’t need a big garden. I just needed to get creative.
Where There’s a Will and a Pot, There’s a Way
You can grow food anywhere.
Balcony, patio, windowsill, even on concrete.
If there’s sunlight, there’s potential.
I started experimenting — growing herbs in recycled containers, lettuce in old tubs, tomatoes in grow bags, and eventually, fish and vegetables together in small aquaponic systems that sat neatly on cement.
You don’t need soil to grow food; you just need imagination.
Aquaponics for Renters: A Portable Way to Grow Food
Aquaponics became my answer to every “no garden allowed” problem.
It’s neat, portable, and self-contained — perfect for renters who can’t dig into the ground. You can grow food on balconies, courtyards, or even under a small awning.
And when it’s time to move? You take it with you.
The fish feed the plants, the plants clean the water, and you get a steady supply of fresh greens and herbs without needing to touch a single patch of soil. It’s efficient, clean, and — let’s be honest — a little bit addictive once you see how well it works.
Find out more about getting started with small space aquaponics.
Watch this short about how you can still garden as a renter:
A Note About TikTok Gardening Trends and Microplastics
There are so many creative gardening ideas online, especially on TikTok — and some of them are brilliant. But I’ve also noticed a big trend toward using single-use plastics: bottles, tubs, buckets, and crates that look great for a few months… until they start to break down.
You don’t always see it happen on camera, but under the sun, plastics slowly degrade — releasing microplastics into your soil, water, and plants.
Microplastics are tiny fragments, often invisible to the eye, that come from the breakdown of larger plastics. They don’t disappear; they accumulate. They can end up in waterways, food systems, and the wider environment we all depend on.
It’s worth doing your research before following those “quick and cheap” trends.
For every plastic bottle garden hack, there’s usually a sustainable alternative — glass jars, ceramic pots, wooden crates, or recycled food-safe containers that last for years without leaching into your food.
Your garden should nourish you, not add hidden toxins to your plate.
Sustainable Gardening Without Compromise
That’s what I started doing — finding creative, sustainable ways to grow food that wouldn’t harm the environment.
Each small choice matters. When you grow your own food, you begin to see how everything connects — the materials you use, the soil, the water, and the energy you bring to it.
Sustainability doesn’t mean perfection; it means awareness.
Watch this video to see how to setup a small home aquaponics system:
Small Space Gardening Ideas for Big Harvests
Don’t underestimate what a few square metres (or even a sunny windowsill) can do.
Here’s what I’ve managed to grow in small spaces over the years:
Everything from roses to watermelons
Herbs: basil, parsley, thyme, mint, coriander
Leafy greens: lettuce, silverbeet, kale
Compact veggies: cherry tomatoes, spring onions, capsicums, corn, zucchini, eggplants, cucumbers, turmeric, ginger
Strawberries in hanging baskets
Microgreens and sprouts indoors
Even one pot of herbs near your kitchen window can make meals fresher and more nourishing — and save a few dollars each week.
Check out the range of amazing things you can grow with small space aquaponics setups.
Want Fewer Soil Pests in Your Growing Space?
Growing with aquaponics can help reduce some of the common soil-based problems that make veggie gardening feel frustrating, from slugs and snails to hidden root pests.
If you’re curious about growing fresh food at home in a cleaner, more contained way, download your free copy of the Urban Aquaponics eBook. It will help you understand whether aquaponics is right for you and give you the basic information you need to start your journey.
Get your Free copy HERE
When You Can’t Dig, Grow Up
Vertical gardening is a renter’s best friend. Hanging baskets, trellises, or recycled shelving can turn a plain wall into a living pantry.
Climbing beans, snow peas, and cucumbers thrive in vertical setups, and even small fruiting plants can do well in hanging containers. You can grow an incredible amount of food in just a few square metres when you think vertically.
And when your tenancy ends, everything comes with you — no stress, no damage, just pack and grow again.
Why Growing Food at Home Matters
When you grow your own food, even in the smallest space, you reclaim something important — independence, connection, and peace of mind.
You’re no longer completely dependent on supermarkets or chemical-laden produce. You’re part of the cycle again — nurturing life, making conscious choices, and watching something thrive because of your care.
And the best part? It doesn’t matter where you live.
You can grow food anywhere — even if it’s just one pot on a windowsill.
Because every little green thing you grow is an act of hope, resilience, and quiet rebellion against the idea that you “can’t.”
Learn More About Aquaponics
Check out the COURSES page to learn how you can get started with aquaponics now. Click HERE.
Want to get your Eyes and Hands on the FREE Online Aquaponics Essentials Course?
This is a great free resource to really understand how aquaponics is a sustainable ecosystem that will grow your organic food is a productive way.
You learn how all the 'parts' make up the 'whole', and helps to give you the foundations of understanding aquaponics.
Sign up HERE
Check out My YouTube Channel 'Candy The Aquaponics Lady'
Aquaponics is an ecosystem, and with anything it takes time to learn how it works. So, sit back and binge watch my 'how to' playlist and the 'Water Quality Made Simple' Playlist, and learn the next steps in your aquaponics system as you create the ecosystem.
Here are the next 2 videos I recommend you watching to create your ecosystem ~ before you add any fish
How Aquaponics Works as an Ecosystem
Why Aquaponics is the best, and most sustainable form of gardening in small spaces
Learn More About Aquaponics
Check out the COURSES page to learn how you can get started with aquaponics now. Click HERE.
Want to get your Eyes and Hands on the FREE Online Aquaponics Essentials Course?
This is a great free resource to really understand how aquaponics is a sustainable ecosystem that will grow your organic food is a productive way.
You learn how all the 'parts' make up the 'whole', and helps to give you the foundations of understanding aquaponics.
Sign up HERE
Want to help out and Feed my Fish?? (They don't drink coffee)
Candy Alexander is a dedicated aquaponics enthusiast with a wealth of formal training in aquaculture. Over the past 15 years, Candy has been deeply immersed in both commercial and backyard aquaponics, honing her skills and expertise in this sustainable farming method.
Candy's passion lies in making aquaponics accessible to everyone. With a mission to simplify aquaponics, she believes that anyone can embark on this sustainable journey.
She encourages those new to aquaponics to "kick the tires" without a significant financial investment. Her guidance focuses on helping people start their aquaponics journey with small-scale systems, ensuring a low barrier to entry for newcomers.
Candy shares practical tips, step-by-step guides, and personal stories to inspire and guide readers on their aquaponics adventure. Whether you're a seasoned farmer or a curious beginner, Candy Alexander is your go-to source for simplifying aquaponics and fostering a sustainable gardening experience.
