Are you ready for summer gardening? The forecast for the next few days here in Washington state is full of sun, and I couldn’t be happier. I’m genuinely excited about starting a garden in our backyard. While my green thumb is still a work in progress, I think gardening will be a fun project for my son and me to learn together.
Although our move didn’t happen as planned because the sale of our Portland home fell through, I’m still renting for now. That won’t stop me from planting. Gardening is something I can do even without a permanent yard, and it feels grounding during an uncertain time.
For inspiration I found a number of great ideas for small-space container gardening in Sunset Magazine’s online articles. Container gardening is perfect if you have limited space — it’s ideal for renters and beginners like me. With pots, planters, and a little creativity, you can grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers on a porch, balcony, or small patio.
This week I wanted to get my hands in the soil, so I planted a few annuals in the pots on my front porch. It’s a small step toward my bigger goal of turning the porch into a summery outdoor room — my summer office — but it already makes the space feel more like home, even while the future remains uncertain.
I’m eager to add more plants. The porch overlooks the lake and will be a cool spot to enjoy sunshine and watch my son play in the yard.
On a side note, I borrowed my mom’s sewing machine and plan to recover the porch pillows with a striped nautical fabric. If you’re worried about my sewing skills, the last time I sewed was in home economics when we made aprons — so, seasoned pros might raise an eyebrow. Still, I’m excited to try it and see how the pillows turn out.
My son and I also planted parsley seeds in a container on the back deck. It’s not a large garden yet, but it’s a start, and that first step matters.
Are you planting a garden this year?
Do you use raised beds, containers, or a greenhouse? Are you growing flowers, vegetables, fruit, or herbs? I’d love to hear about your plans and any tips you can share. Feel free to describe your setup or tell me what’s worked for you — I’m ready to learn from your experience.
Top container garden inspiration comes from Sunset Magazine’s online gardening resources — a helpful place for small-space ideas and practical tips.
Second photo: my front porch!