Gardening outdoors is a great way to stay active, keep fresh veggies in your diet and improve your overall health. But what options are there if you don’t have a large yard to devote to this year’s veggie patch?

Container gardens are a wonderful opportunity to grow more produce using less garden space. Whether your available space is a concrete patio, a sunny balcony or a cramped backyard, follow the steps below to grow your own fresh produce.

Choose Your Plants

Before rushing out to plant your favorite veggies, it’s important consider what each plant will need to thrive. Though there are many seed options available, dwarf and compact vegetable varieties tend to work well in containers. For a few ideas, The Old Farmer’s Almanac lists 10 veggies that are ideal to grow in a container garden.

Select Your Container

From small pots to large planters and reclaimed containers to wooden troughs, you can use almost anything as a planting container. When choosing your vessel, be sure to consider features like size, proper drainage and whether your container is made of food-safe materials.

Find a Sunny Space

Many garden staples – like peppers, squash and tomatoes – require ample sunlight to grow. To increase this year’s harvest, be sure to find an area that provides six to eight hours of sunlight each day.

Use High-quality Potting Soil

To grow healthy plants, start your garden with a healthy growing medium. Though it may be tempting to use soil from an existing garden or flowerbed, this can often cause more harm than good because of dense soil and diseases that may be present. For the best results, you’ll want to find a fresh potting mix that is quick-draining and lightweight.

Remember to Water

Most produce requires ample water to grow, and because a container garden is more exposed to sun and wind it will need more water to thrive. The best way to determine if your container garden needs a drink is to check if the first inch of the soil is dry to the touch. If it’s dry, it’s time to grab the hose. During the height of the summer months, it is not uncommon to water your garden at least once a day.

Starting a container garden is a versatile option for new growers and veteran gardeners alike! With the ability to customize and get creative with your plants, layout and care routine, container gardens are an opportunity to bring fresh herbs, vegetables and fruit right to your kitchen.