Tiny Garden, Big Joy: How to Start a Window-Box or Balcony Garden in Winter + Early Spring
Do you live in a small space? Are you thinking about downsizing from a house to an apartment or condo? Did you know that even if you don’t have a yard, you can still enjoy the pleasures of nurturing a tiny garden right in the space that you have available? All you need is a balcony and/or a windowsill to get started.
Keep reading to learn how to easily start a tiny garden in your home. Find out which herbs, vegetables, and flowers are the easiest to get started with in the winter and early spring, and start enjoying the pleasures of growing on your balcony or windowsill.
Why Start Your Tiny Garden in the Winter?
A compact garden can be started in the winter or early spring inside on a windowsill or outside on your balcony if you live in a warmer climate. Starting the seedling process in the winter can ensure you have colorful flowers, herbs, and veggies to enjoy in the summer months.
Nurturing something brings joy and fulfillment as you witness seedlings sprout, leaves grow, and colors emerge. We often talk about how having rituals is a great idea to ground and calm ourselves. Growing a small garden in the winter months is a perfect example of this. You will create your soothing ritual of watering your tiny garden and experience the immense joy of seeing them grow.
If you have a balcony, the pots can be moved outside as temperatures warm up. If you don’t have a balcony, make sure to move the pots inside your home so they get enough sunlight through the windows, or invest in LED lights. We’ll get into that a little later.
What Should You Grow in a Window/Early Spring Box?
Some plants are hardier and therefore easier to grow than others. If you are just starting out, we suggest you begin with some of these easy-to-grow plants. As you gain experience and knowledge, you can experiment with growing more herbs, vegetables, or flowers.
Hardy Herbs
Here are some of the easiest herbs to grow in a small garden in winter and early spring:
- Parsley: Slower to grow than other herbs, but very hardy. Parsley is one of those easy-to-add herbs to a variety of dishes.
- Thyme: Aromatic and easy to grow. Thyme is perfect in winter soups, roasted potatoes, and stews.
- Chives: Chives are tough and can withstand chilly temperatures. Another herb that is easy to add to many dishes for a mild onion flavor.
- Mint: This herb is simple to grow, but spreads widely and can become invasive. This is easily contained when grown in a pot. Mint can be used to make smoothies, cocktails, and added to salads.
Easy Vegetables
Here are some vegetables that can withstand colder temperatures in tiny gardens:
- Kale: Look for dwarf varieties that are easier to grow in containers. Kale is a superfood and is packed with vitamins A, C, and K.
- Spinach: Spinach is easy to grow in the winter and is an excellent addition to salads and soups.
- Lettuce: There are wide varieties of lettuce to choose from. Look for loose-leaf lettuce types that are easier to grow in containers.
- Radishes: Easy to grow and are happy in colder temps. You can have a harvest of radishes in as little as 30 days.
Colorful Flowers
If you enjoy looking at pretty flowers, here are some easy-to-grow flowers in pots during winter and spring:
- Pansies: Colorful flowers that are easy to grow in chilly temperatures. They come in a variety of colors.
- Primroses: These flowers can also withstand some lower temperatures.
- Cyclamen: These plants do well in shaded areas.
Pansies
Primroses
Cyclamen
Now it’s time to make a plan for the types of plants you want to grow in your tiny garden. Take into account the space that you have available and how much you can grow. You don’t have to stick to one variety; you can grow herbs, veggies, AND flowers if you want.
How to Start Your Tiny Garden
Now that you’ve decided what type of tiny garden you want to grow, it’s time to get started.
Which Containers to Choose
For windowsill and/or balcony gardens, containers need to be space-effective and not too heavy if you plan to move them from inside to outside in the spring and summer.
Look for:
- Sturdy material that won’t crack in chilly temps.
- Drainage holes.
- Enough depth for roots.
Examples:
- Window boxes
- Starter pots
- Recycled wood crates
- Ceramic pots
- Railing planters
- Tower planters
- Hydroponic Tower planters
Barnyard Designs Indoor Herb Garden Planter Set with Tray
30 Pack Cupcake Plant Nursery Pots with Humidity Dome
PSW Pot Collection Dragonfly Planter Pot for Indoor and Outdoor Plants and Gardens
The HC Companies Deck Railing Planter Box w/Removable Drain Plugs
Greenstalk Patented Large 5 Tier Vertical Garden Planter with Patented Internal Watering System
Choose High Quality Potting Mix
The soil you choose can make or break the success of your tiny garden. Regular outdoor soil tends to be more compact and susceptible to frost. Look for quality potting mixes that are tailored to what you will be growing.
Let There Be Light!
Plants need water and light to grow. Where you place your planters is important. Choose a location, such as a windowsill or a spot near a window with good sunlight. When the seeds start sprouting, it’s important to read the instructions carefully. Some plants need direct sunlight, while others need partial shade.
If you don’t have enough sunlight, you can purchase a set of LED lights that will supply enough light to grow your tiny garden in your home.
GooingTop LED Grow Light,6000K Full Spectrum Clip Plant Growing Lamp
What About Water?
Plants tend to need less water in the winter months. But they still need moisture to thrive.
Here are a few tips to follow regarding watering:
- Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
- Avoid over-watering, which can cause roots to rot.
- Check your balcony containers after heavy rain.
- Follow the watering instructions on the seed packet if available.
How to Protect Your Plants from Frost
Starting a tiny garden in winter or early spring requires a little more attention to local daily weather forecasts. For your outdoor balcony containers, you can cover them with a clear plastic cloche or a recycled salad container. You can also purchase a lightweight frost blanket to protect them on chilly days. During deep cold snaps, bring your pots inside to safeguard them from freezing.
Plant Covers Freeze Protection, Winter Frost Blanket for Flower Pot Plants
Easy Beginner Project Ideas
Uncertain of where to begin? Here are some easy projects to get you started.
Winter Herb Box
Herbs are pretty easy to grow and make a great addition to a windowsill. Plant thyme, chives, and parsley, plus a herb that will add height, like rosemary. These are all sun-loving herbs, so they will need a lot of sunlight to thrive.
Still feeling overwhelmed? Think of purchasing a starter kit that includes everything you need to get your tiny herb garden started.
FLEUR DU BIEN Indoor Herb Garden Kit + Planter, 6 Herb Seed Packs
Salad Bowl
Combine loose-leaf salads, spinach, and radishes in a large bowl. Clip leaves as they grow (and make delicious salads) to contain the plants from overgrowing.
Spring Flowers Pot
If flowers are your thing, you can choose to combine colorful flowers in a pot. Plant pansies, primroses, and small bulbs like crocuses for a joyful pot.
Troubleshooting Common Issues + Easy Solutions
Here are a few common issues you may run into with your tiny garden and how to fix them:
- Leggy seedlings – Long, straggly growths mean that they are not getting enough sunlight. They are literally searching for light. Move them to a brighter area, or consider adding LED grow lights.
- Yellow leaves – This usually means that the plants are being overwatered. Cut down on the watering and keep an eye on the soil moisture.
FAQ – How to Start a Tiny Garden
Can I start a winter tiny garden if my balcony faces north?
Yes, you can start your tiny garden even if your balcony faces north. Choose shade-tolerant plants like lettuce, mint, and parsley. Consider adding grow lights if there is still not enough light.
Do I need to add fertilizer during winter and spring?
Tiny gardens need very little fertilizer during winter and early spring. They grow more slowly and start to grow faster when the days get longer. Consider adding a small amount of fertilizer every 4-6 weeks.
Is it safe to reuse last year’s potting soil?
Yes, as long as you refresh it by removing old roots and loosening the soil. Mix it with some new potting soil to improve the success of your tiny garden.
Don’t let a lack of space or yard deter you from enjoying the perks of growing a garden. Caring for a tiny garden on your windowsill or balcony in the winter or early spring can bring you lots of joy and fulfillment.
Read more: Want Garden Inspo? Stop Scrolling Instagram and Do This Instead.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Do you plant a tiny garden on your windowsill or balcony in the winter/early spring? What are your favorite things to plant? Will you be inspired to start your first tiny garden this year? Do you have any other suggestions for starting a winter/early-spring tiny garden? Tell us about it in the comments below.
I planted an indoor herb garden this year in my kitchen window. I purchased a window box planter on clearance in the fall. I then planted 2 types of thyme, rosemary and sage in individual pots and then put those pots in the window box planter. They have been growing beautifully all winder. I’ve been pinching and using the herbs in my culinary delights! Fresh herbs really make a difference. I tried basil but sadly that did not hold up well, not sure why either. Basil is easy to purchase at the supermarket when needed. I am checking my cold frames that are outdoors, it has been a brutally cold winter this year. Hoping they survive and pop back in the warmer weather.