Veggies for Small Spaces

Thursday, January 18, 2007

I was perusing the Territorial Seed Company's Web site the other day when I came across a collection of seeds -- a gift basket actually -- intended for people who are trying to garden in small spaces or containers. The Urban Jungle Veggie Garden Basket includes seeds for 16 types of vegetable plants that have a "compact growth habit."

I wouldn't buy this basket for myself (or for anyone else for that matter) because I think the price of $89.95 is a bit steep for what you get. I would rather buy individual seed packets and put together a gift basket on my own. But what I do like here is the listing of seeds. There are several varieties that I haven't heard of, and all are supposed to do well for gardeners with limited space. The list includes Small Miracle broccoli, Gonzales cabbage and Sungreen zucchini. I wonder if they're worth a try?

For the most part, I plant small amounts of seed for regular-size vegetable plants. But some things -- broccoli and cabbage, for example -- take up quite a bit of real estate in my plot, even if I only plant a few. In fact, I was thinking I would skip the broccoli and cabbage this year, since they take up so much space compared to other vegetables that yield more food. Bush beans, for example, will yield several meal's worth of veggies vs. one broccoli plant that will yield... one broccoli.

I wonder about the so-called Small Miracle broccoli. Anyone ever try it? Is it worth it?