Patios are perfect for growing your own produce. Whether you’ve got a small courtyard or a balcony, you can turn it into a thriving edible garden without needing acres of space.

From juicy tomatoes to fragrant herbs and compact fruit trees, patio gardening brings flavour and freshness right to your doorstep. With the right pots, a splash of sunshine and a few clever choices, even the smallest space can yield a delicious harvest.

Growing food at your feet

There’s no need for raised beds or a large garden to grow your own. Patio pots and containers are simple to set up and even easier to maintain. Also, they’re mobile – so you can follow the sun, rearrange with the seasons, or take them with you if you move.

This style of gardening is ideal for busy lifestyles too. With less weeding and digging, you can enjoy all the rewards with minimal effort.

Top crops for containers

Choose crops that thrive in confined spaces, and you’ll be harvesting from arm’s reach in no time.

Tomatoes, radishes and carrots: Perfect for pots and easy to grow from seed. Beetroots are fantastic too. Not only are they rich in antioxidants, but their leafy tops make a great alternative to spinach.

Go vertical

If space is tight, grow upwards. Lettuce like ‘Lollo Rossa’ can be sown in intervals for a regular harvest, while climbing cucumbers or squash like ‘Tromboncino’ are great for trellises.

Grow for flavour

Mint is one of my go-to herbs. It’s hardy, versatile, and is best grown in containers to control its spread.
It will liven up everything from drinks to roast lamb. Parsley, basil and chives also do brilliantly on the patio and are perfect for snipping fresh when you need them.

Fruits for patios

If you fancy growing fruit, there are plenty of compact options that flourish in pots. Self-fertile dwarf varieties of cherry or pear trees make brilliant focal points on a sunny patio and they’ll reward you with delicious crops. Strawberries are another top choice, especially for families. They grow well in hanging baskets, where they cascade beautifully and are easy to pick when ripe.

Other edible options

For something a little different, try your hand at edible flowers. Nasturtiums, violas and calendulas not only add colour to your containers, but they can be used to dress salads, desserts, and even drinks.

You might be surprised to learn that nuts like hazel or even peanuts can be grown at home given the right conditions. And if you’re feeling adventurous, why not try courgette flowers or borage blooms – beautiful, unusual, and utterly edible.

Top five gardening jobs

While we enjoy our gardens more, it is worth repairing lawn gaps as soil temperatures rise and moisture levels are high. Lightly rake bare patches, sow grass seed evenly, then cover with a thin layer of compost. Keep moist until germination. A seed mix matching your lawn will ensure more seamlessness.

Now is the perfect time to sow squash and pumpkin seeds indoors. Use pots of peat-free compost, sowing seeds on their sides to prevent rot. Keep them warm and well-lit, ideally on a sunny windowsill or in a propagator. Once all risk of frost passes, they’ll be ready to plant out. Find out more about growing pumpkins on my YouTube channel @daviddomoney.

April is a great time to create homes for garden wildlife, as many species begin nesting or breeding. Pile up logs or stones for insects and amphibians, hang bird boxes in sheltered spots, and leave a patch of lawn unmown. Even small changes can offer vital shelter and boost garden biodiversity.

Spring is a great time to divide clumps of agapanthus as they start to grow. Lift established plants, tease apart the roots, and replant healthy sections in well-drained soil. Water well after planting. Dividing rejuvenates overcrowded clumps and encourages more vigorous flowering later in the summer months. I’ve answered Google’s most asked questions about agapanthus on my YouTube channel @daviddomoney. Head there to find out more.

As sweet peas begin to climb in spring, start training them up supports like canes, netting, or trellises. Tie stems loosely with soft twine, encouraging vertical growth and better airflow. Pinching out the tips helps create bushier plants and encourages more flowers throughout the blooming season. To see the sweet peas in my garden, head to my YouTube channel @daviddomoney.

Focus plant: Magnolia

Magnolias are springtime head-turners, with large, fragrant blooms that often appear before the leaves. In April, many varieties like Magnolia Soulangeana are at their peak, revealing tulip-shaped flowers in pink or white. Look out for late frosts this month, which can damage young buds and blooms.

If frost is forecast, cover smaller magnolias with fleece overnight to protect their display. Mulch around the base with well-rotted organic matter to conserve moisture and feed the roots as growth gets going. Also, magnolias prefer sheltered, sunny spots with acidic, well-drained soil. So ericaceous peat-free compost would suit them well.

They dislike being moved, so plant young specimens carefully and leave plenty of space for them to grow.
Fun fact: the magnolia family dates back more than 90 million years, older than bees, so their flowers evolved to be pollinated by beetles. Elegant and long-lived, magnolias bring height, scent, and spring drama to any garden.

Did you know?

In Germany, primroses are a cherished symbol of spring and are often gifted at Easter to represent new beginnings and hope. Their early blooms brighten gardens and homes alike, making them a seasonal favourite tied to joy, rebirth and fresh starts.

Tomatoes are one of the best natural sources of lycopene, the pigment that gives red and pink fruits their vibrant colour. This powerful antioxidant helps protect cells from free radical damage, and cooking tomatoes makes lycopene easier for the body to absorb and use.

In Norse mythology, the ash tree is known as the Tree of Life – specifically Yggdrasil, the great sacred ash tree connecting all nine worlds in the cosmos. Symbolising strength and renewal, it’s also a vital wildlife habitat, supporting birds, insects,and fungi in gardens and woodlands.

The daffodil is the national flower of Wales, celebrated for its cheerful spring blooms. In Welsh, it’s known as “Peter’s leek” (cenhinen Bedr), a name that likely arose from its similarity to the word for leek, linking both plants in Welsh tradition.

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