A general rule of thumb for maximizing space in a room with a small footprint is to look up. Maximizing vertical space stretches the room, creating new arenas for storage and styling. This summer, Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott are applying this logic to their herb garden.
The couple added an indoor Farmstand Nook to their breakfast nook, and it's added instant height, warmth, and organic beauty to their space. Plus, they have unlimited access to fresh vegetables and herbs. Rather than the typical indoor garden consisting of several containers full of plants, this upward design that Zooey shared to her Instagram has a small footprint, producing self-watering and fertilizing plants in less than 4 square feet of space.
Perhaps you are hoping to upgrade an unused corner in your kitchen, or just want to level up how you cook with greens this summer. Either way, a vertical garden is just the thing.
To explore this new method of small space gardening, we spoke with an expert on how he's seeing this trend play out. We also curated an edit of all the products you'll need to start your own indoor herb garden this summer, whether you opt to purchase Zooey's exact FarmStand from Amazon, or just want to introduce more fresh plants to your home.
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We tracked down the exact innovative tool that Zooey uses below. They also carry a larger model if you want to grow even more plants and make DIY hydroponic gardening easier. Alternatively, you can use large pots with a trellis and opt for plants that grow vertically as a budget alternative.
This indoor version of FarmStand's self watering and self fertilizing garden is compact, yet impactful. It houses up to 20 plants and harvests in 3-4 weeks with no experience required. The gently curved silhouette is perfect for a breakfast nook or any other tiny, difficult to use space.
Tiny corner gardens like Zooey and Jonathan's have emerged as a major planting trend in recent times. Julian Palphramand, Head of Plants at British Garden Centres explains: 'Small space gardening has genuinely come into its own over the last few years. People are more creative with limited space than ever before, and the range of plants and products available to them has never been better.'
With this small garden renaissance, more and more people are learning they can grow edible plants even without a huge amount of indoor or outdoor space. They are using containers and water vegetable growing methods to upgrade their interior greener.
'Kitchen gardens used to feel like they needed space, but they don't,' advises Julian. 'Tomatoes, salad leaves, dwarf beans, cucumbers, radishes, and most herbs are perfectly happy in pots on a sunny balcony, and there's something genuinely satisfying about cooking with things you've grown yourself, even if the harvest is modest. It's also one of the easiest ways to get children interested in outdoor space, so grow your own food, even if you have a small yard, as it's very rewarding.'
Whether you opt for a towering FarmStand like Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott or decide to start small, we hope the idea of small space gardening helps you feel empowered to grow your own vegetables no matter where you live. Here are the tools we'll be using this season.
Shop Edible Garden Essentials
Lavender is one of my favorite plants to grow at home because it smells so incredible. The flowers can be dried to create insect-repelling sachets for closets and sleep.
These stunning pruners win for both style and function. The high-quality blades deliver clean cuts, while the safety catch prevents accidental cuts. The well-balanced design makes them comfortable to use for any hand size. If you're growing vegetables this summer, they're perfect for harvesting without damaging delicate growth.
This pack of 1000 seeds has an 85% germination rate, is non-GMO, and matures in 40 days. It's one of the easiest greens to grow, and will taste delicious in all of your summer salads.
Made from durable waxed canvas this apron will protect your clothing from stains and scratches, while the pockets provide ample storage for tools. Hang it right next to your farmstand for easy harvesting anytime.
I love the idea of storing your lovingly hand-grown vegetables on a countertop in this trug for a stylized, rustic feel. It hangs romantically on the arm for easy moving of the plants from the earth to your countertop.
If you're going to plant out your vegetable garden this season, you're going to need garden gloves, and these ones are guaranteed to last. Perfect for prickly vines, they keep hands protected and make vegetable gardening easy.
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