Three Container Garden Plans for Small Patios

Container gardening sits between the dream of a full backyard plot and the reality of a 4×6 patio. After three seasons of testing layouts with our team, here are the three we keep coming back to.

1. The Herb Wall

A single vertical planter against a sunny wall, six bays of herbs. Basil and parsley in the bottom rows where you'll pick them weekly, thyme and rosemary up top where they get the most sun. Rotate twice a season to keep growth even.

2. The Salad Bar

Two of our 24″ raised planters set perpendicular to a wall, with a narrow path between. Loose-leaf lettuces in one, brassicas in the other. Six weeks from seed to first cut.

3. The Pollinator Strip

One long, shallow planter along the railing edge. Lavender at the ends, alyssum filling the middle, a single coneflower in the center for height. Quiet to start, busy by week six.

All three sit comfortably in a 5×8 patio without crowding the chairs. Start with one, add the next next spring.