Carrot

Carrots are a wonderful option for a smaller garden and are a staple food in a wide range of dishes—from soups and stews to garnishes and pestos. “They don’t require much room, and you can select a variety that suits your space,” says Mariah Henry, director of sustainable food systems at Carolina Farm Trust. “Carrots need depth, so it’s easy to sow a few rows in between other crops.”

Justin Hancock, a horticulturist at Costa Farms, recommends the Thumbelina variety of carrots in particular, as it’s an even smaller size. It takes about 60 days for these vegetables to be ready to harvest when grown from seed, but they store very well in a refrigerator so that you can enjoy them for much longer.

• Zones: 3 to 10
• Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 2 to 3 inches wide per root
• Care requirements: Full sun; loose, well-draining soil; consistent watering

Green Onion

Green onions are a versatile vegetable that can be used as a garnish for soups or an ingredient in flavor-filled sauces. Best of all, they’re easy to grow and are small enough that they can fit in tiny gardens.

“They act as a natural pest repellant,” says Henry. “Their bright green stalks add height to your garden and will always be aesthetically pleasing.”

Henry also notes that green onion pairs well with Swiss chard and carrots—together, these can create a delicious and space-saving vegetable garden.

• Zones: 6 to 9
• Size: up to 3 feet tall
• Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil

Peppers

Not all pepper plants will produce enormous bell peppers. “There are dwarf varieties, like Liberty Belle, that stay smaller,” says Hancock. “It’s an attractive plant, too, that produces a lot of medium-sized fruits that you can harvest green or let mature to yellow.”

Similarly, Robert Westerfield, a horticulturist at the University of Georgia, recommends the banana pepper. “They’re kind of like the cherry tomato of peppers—they produce a prolific amount, and they’re easy to grow,” he says.

• Zones: 3 to 10
• Size: 18 to 24 inches tall
• Care requirements:  Full sun; well-drained soil

Kale

Kale has a reputation as a superfood that’s packed with important vitamins and nutrients; it’s also easy to grow in almost any garden, regardless of size. “It has a small footprint and provides a continuous supply [of fresh greens] for my morning smoothies,” says Mena Killough, a horticulturist and former vice president of the North Carolina Herb Association.

Hancock mentions that if you harvest kale as a baby green, it will take up even less real estate. “It comes in a variety of textures and colors, so you can add some visual appeal to your plantings by mixing it and matching it,” he adds.

• Zones: 3 to 9
• Size: 12 to 24 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wide
• Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; rich, well-draining soil; consistent watering

Radishes

“Out of all the vegetables, radishes will be the most simplistic and the fastest producing,” says Westerfield. “They’re mature and ready to harvest in just 28 days.”

Even better? Radishes don’t take up very much space and are perfect for filling in gaps between larger plants, says Killough. Sprinkle them in with other vegetables to make the most out of a tiny container garden or plot.

• Zones: 3 to 10
• Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 2 to 4 inches wide per root
• Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil; consistent watering

Swiss Chard

Swiss chard is a delightful vegetable that’s delicious in salads—and it doesn’t require too much space to plant. “There’s a variety called Bright Lights that has reds and purples and pinks,” says Westerfield. So not only is it a culinary staple, but it looks beautiful side-by-side with other vegetables too.

• Zones: 2 to 11
• Size: 9 to 18 inches wide x 8 to 24 inches tall
• Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil

Tomatoes

If you can trellis tomatoes, they’re perfect for a smaller garden. Hancock recommends the Veranda variety, which bears smaller fruits but can easily fit in a raised bed or planter. However, there are other options, too.

“Cherry tomatoes give a generous harvest in minimal spaces,” says Killough. “They’re perfect for container trellises, over walkways, and making the most of an apartment balcony.”

• Zone: 3 to 11
• Size: 2 to 3 feet tall
• Growing conditions: full sun; well-drained soil

Bok Choy

“Bok choy grows like a celery almost, but it has the flavor of a cabbage—the entire plant, including the leaves and stem, are edible,” says Westerfield. “It’s more of a cool season one… plant it in the fall or early spring.”

Fortunately, this leafy vegetable can grow in smaller spaces, too, and won’t take up too much room when planted alongside other produce.

• Zones: 2 to 11
• Size: 6 to 24 inches tall x 6 to 18 inches wide
• Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil