If you’ve ever read gardening blogs (and I know you’re reading this one, so you’re on the right track!), you’ve probably come across posts about gardening in small spaces. My question to most of them is—are they for real? Sure, they look beautiful, but how many of us actually have a garden that looks that good?
I believe in real-life gardens, so today, I’m sharing not one, but two gardens that are 1/10 acre or less. These gardens are managed by regular people—not professionals—and they have full-time jobs (well, one happens to be a garden writer!). Their gardens may not always be pristine, but they produce real food and are true examples of what small-space gardening can look like in real life.
The Micro-Farm
Michael and Jeremy manage their 1/10-acre garden in Pennsylvania. They’ve made the most of existing plantings, engaged with curious neighbors, and overcome the limitations of their space. The back part of the lot is home to chickens, ducks, and rabbits (they’ve joked about adding a donkey, but think it might be a bit much).
The perimeter is lined with perennial fruits, herbs, and ornamental plants, all surrounding a small lawn area shared by three big dogs and a cat. Their ultimate goal is to incorporate more edibles, including vines and possibly espalier fruit trees.
As you approach the house, a compact vegetable garden, surrounded by picket fencing, is home to annual veggies. The plants are spaced close together to maximize space and help with weed control. Tomatoes, however, didn’t thrive in the limited space, and with the owners’ love for variety, they sought out a solution.
Enter the neighbor’s unused patch of grass. Despite the neighbor’s concerns about kids sneaking down the alley to steal tomatoes, it turned out to be the perfect spot. What it has brought instead are visitors—around six people stopped by during my brief visit. Once you get past the "guard" dogs, the place feels inviting and full of life.
Paradise Lot
Eric Toensmeier and Jonathan Bates, along with their families, manage a 1/10-acre lot in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Technically, their garden could be called a food forest, but I simply call it fun. Their goal is to be able to step into the garden at any time of year and find something to eat.
Using permaculture principles, their garden features a blend of edible trees, shrubs, and perennials, as well as the usual annual vegetables. Every plant has a role—some are edible, some enrich the soil by fixing nitrogen, while others attract pollinators and beneficial insects.
A four-season greenhouse shelters winter vegetables, while a small pond provides a haven for water-loving plants.
One of their goals was to show neighbors that a small backyard can be so much more than just grass. While their neighbors haven’t yet embraced the idea, the garden continues to draw interest.
Today, it’s become a teaching garden, with visitors from around the world stopping by to learn what’s possible in such a small space. If you’re looking for a great winter read, I’d highly recommend picking up Paradise Lot.
So, how’s that for small-space gardening?
