Tiny Victory Gardens: Growing Food Without a Yard

by Acadia Tucker

Climate activist and farmer Acadia Tucker fell in love with container gardening after glimpsing its potential to produce food—lots of food. By applying select growing practices, and managing for square inches rather than square feet, she has come up with instructions for growing a small-scale farm in your patio, on your stoop, or in your dining room. If all you want is a garden just big enough to line a windowsill, she’s got you covered there, too.

Her goal is to make it easier for anyone with access to a patch of sun to grow and harvest food—year round, if you’d like. No backyard required. Tiny Victory Gardens includes step-by-step guidance on finding the right containers (there are wrong ones), prepping your soil, growing plants indoors and outdoors, and raising crops all year long. It profiles 21 crops that are easy to grow in containers, including tomatoes, lemon trees, and avocados, and includes recipes for cultivating mini farms in pots, with names like Tiny Herb Garden, Griller’s Choice, and Beans, Bees, and Butterflies.

As she has in all her gardening books, Acadia describes how to maximize the environmental impact of growing food. She offers tips on attracting pollinators, and how to build microbe-rich living soil. She shares hacks that help you cut back on watering, and how to ditch harmful pesticides and fertilizers. She also makes a case for why it’s practical to develop food gardening skills in a climate-whipped world.

Part of the inspiration for this book is the victory garden movement that was so popular during World Wars I and II, when US citizens turned out in force to do their patriotic duty and grow food for their country. It’s time for another victory garden movement, writes Acadia. If more of us commit to growing our own food, and do it in a way that’s good for the planet, we can buffer some of the effects of climate change, and promote food resilience, for ourselves and for our neighborhoods.

Acadia Tucker has published Growing Perennial Foods and Growing Good Food, which describe how to grow food in your backyard in a way that’s good for the planet. Tiny Victory Gardens is another addition to the Stone Pier Press citizen gardening series, which also includes Lawns Into Meadows

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Food, Sustainability, Health, Environment

168 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2021

About the author

Acadia Tucker is a regenerative farmer, climate activist, and author. She has just published Growing Perennial Foods: A field guide to raising resilient herbs, fruits & vegetables. It’s a call to action to citizen gardeners everywhere, and lay the groundwork for planting an organic, regenerative garden. For her, this is gardening as if our future depends on it. Before becoming an author, Acadia started a four-season organic market garden in Washington State inspired by farming pioneers Eliot Coleman and Jean-Martin Fortier. While managing the farm, Acadia grew 200 different food crops before heading back to school at the University of British Columbia to complete a Masters in Land and Water Systems. She lives in Maine and New Hampshire with her farm dog, Nimbus, and grows hops to support locally sourced craft beer in New England, when she isn't raising perennials in her own backyard. She is also the author of Growing Good Food: A citizen’s guide to backyard carbon farming.

Reviews

[Jared Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who cooks frequently but lives in a small apartment without a yard, this book was amazing for helping me set up a windowsill herb garden that I could turn to whenever I need some fresh herbs. The book is filled with incredible insights and easy enough instructions that even someone like me, who historically has struggled with gardening, (I once killed a cactus plant) can master the steps. Having the herbs right in my living room has saved me so much time and money instead of buying them at the grocery store. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking to start their own apartment garden!

[Micaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Acadia is back at it again, with a comprehensive guide to container gardening through a regenerative lens. As someone who is more familiar with small-scale farming, it's been an interesting experience to try gardening in containers during the pandemic. I learned new things about creating the right soil, including choosing more sustainable soil components, organically-derived amendments, different contaminants in urban areas, and more. I also found the sun map and thrill-fill-spill concepts to be especially helpful in designing a container garden to maximize space. This book challenged me to rethink my perspective on container gardening and realize its potential to successfully grow a wide variety of different crops. I believe more people will be empowered to grow their own tiny victory gardens - to increase food security, protect food sovereignty, and fight climate change.

[(a)lyss(a) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a surprisingly dense read.

Full of information and a few helpful infographics this book highlights how to grow small, edible gardens.

I really like that the book provides sample gardens by recipe. There's a salsa garden, an edible flower salad garden, and more. There's also information on different structures to support a garden, building your soil, and growing healthy plants.

It's not the kind of book you can just browse through - it's full of information to sit and read and plan your garden.

[Miya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun and quick read! This book had me daydreaming about what kinds of plants I would put together in my own victory garden--even though I'm hoping to move out in the next few months. The author's coverage of the topic was super thorough, and I really liked getting example "recipes" for gardens to get started.

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this book from the library a while back to help me start my little apartment garden. My tomatoes are doing great.

[S Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This container gardening guide anticipates your questions and troubles before they even arise! Author Acadia includes these clever planting “recipes” for planting combiantions. The book does a great job of addressing the basics through advanced planning and problem-solving (like light needs, drainage, even how to make it look good [!]), within the confines and world of growing in pots. Thank you Acadia!

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The focus of this book on container gardening is great for someone like me who has limited space but wants to grow some of their own food. Acadia's thorough instructions are easy to understand for a beginner, and I love the inclusion of "recipes" of different plants that grow well together!

[Ella Syverson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picture your backyard, the balcony of your apartment, or the windowsills in your kitchen covered in pots and planters filled with your favorite plants and veggies, from sun ripe tomatoes to aromatic thyme. These are the images that "Tiny Victory Gardens" inspires. By the time you’ve finished reading it, you’ll be ready to pick up that trowel and dive into your own exploration of container gardening. I know I was. I read this book while planning my raised beds this spring, the same ones I’ve worked with for years, and was excited to learn new tips and tricks. What makes for good soil? Which plants thrive when planted together? How does climate and light affect my planting choices? These questions and more are answered throughout the book. I’d recommend it to both new and experienced gardeners who are interested in small scale planting -- you won’t be disappointed!

Above all, it’s an entirely practical guide to gardening, and is adaptable to whatever your skill level and amount of space, time, and resources may be. It’s written in a light, conversational tone that makes it easily digestible and enjoyable to read while still packing in a surprising amount of useful information. I particularly loved reading the anecdotes about the author’s own experience that further illustrate the simplicity, joy, and sustainability of tiny gardens. The book is big picture too, speaking to the environmental benefits of gardening and the role of locally grown food in building sustainable and resilient communities. With a changing climate, it is important now more than ever to incorporate solutions like this that can sequester carbon, aid pollinators, and strengthen food security and self and community resilience. And besides, as Tucker writes, “There’s something pretty special about picking tomatoes in your kitchen.”

[Kira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic, practical, and instructive growing guide from Acadia Tucker (in this case partnered with Emily Castle). I’m a relative novice food grower and her books have been so inspiring and helpful. Living in an urban environment it’s hard to find a place to grow fruits and vegetables and her other two books, Growing Good Food and Growing Perennial Foods, were amazing guides in helping me learn climate-friendly, food growing fundamentals, which led to a delicious pandemic distraction in a small community garden plot...so much fun and satisfying. With this book, Tiny Victory Gardens, I’m growing food in containers in my tiny side yard and inside my home where I can really enjoy watching them grow. I’m learning things I didn’t even know were possible, like how to grow different vegetables together in one pot, not only for space efficiency but beauty too. The excellent illustrated instructions and charts are teaching me how to choose containers, prep them, what soil to use, seeds, starts or cuttings, watering frequency, lighting advice, even design ideas on how to lay out my planters. I’m also learning more about compost, pollinating for both outside and inside plants, how to care for them during the different seasons (growing zones included), and more, all organically, of course! As usual, there is a huge list of herbs, fruits, and veggies with individual instructions for growing each one as well as recipes. I can’t wait to see the fruits of my labor (literally) because Acadia’s books and instructions have definitely proven their worth to me before. Love it!

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Learning how to grow your own food can promote resilience within your own family and community,” Tucker writes. “All you really need to grow food in containers is a patch of sun. This book will teach you how to make the most of that light, and build more resilience into your life.”

This book is filled with fantastic information and step-by-step instructions for how to make your own planet-promoting container garden. The language and advice are accessible to practically anyone, regardless of experience or where you live. Tucker makes it easy to find the info you’re looking for, and fills the pages with numerous helpful graphics. The author also includes answers to FAQs (like how to make your own compost indoors, and how to pollinate an indoor garden), a list of organic pest solutions, and a series of easy-to-read charts (e.g., “a potted plant’s watering needs” and “plants that work well together”). She delves into the various locations you can use for your tiny garden (from your living room to the roof!); the specific need for a variety of herbs, fruits, and veggies; and the steps you can take during each season to ensure your garden’s success. I will be moving into an apartment in a few months, and I will definitely be utilizing the knowledge that this book has imparted to me!

[Rachel Little · Rating 4 out of 5]

A handy little book with loads of ideas for how to garden in a small space! At least, that's how it's advertised. It did feel like a good guide for anyone looking to start gardening, but I'm not sure about the tagline for the book, which is "Growing Food Without a Yard". It was mentioned SO often that you would need things outside for the summer, but I assume most without a yard don't have much outdoor space. I just can't imagine that, if I only had a balcony on an apartment, I would want to shove a bunch of plants outside for the summer and then not be able to use the space. She does mention having heavy plants on trolleys so that they can be moved, so I guess that is the solution, but it just sounded like a lot to me. I valued this book's information on what plants you can grow in a single container and would certainly be interested in that someday. I'll definitely be keeping this on my shelf as a reference book, but don't feel like it totally lived up to my expectations of it being a book about indoor gardening in a small square footage.

[Aiyana Fraas · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who is new to growing food but who has a relatively large space I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an easy way into gardening. It is fabulous for anyone who isn’t ready or able to commit to a full blown garden whether that be because of limited space or the need to move with their garden. I myself found the book extremely helpful for my own garden made up of raised beds in my backyard.
Acadia Tucker gives great, trustworthy advice on how to prep and care for plants in an enclosed space, and the tables and guide within the book make it easy to learn to pair and care for the plants that interest you. One of the things I found most intimidating when I began gardening was knowing what kinds of soil and compost to use. Acadia Tucker provides the reader with not only her favorite methods of choosing soil but multiple alternatives so that the reader can choose one that best suits their needs. Great book!

[lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tiny Victory Gardens is a comprehensive guide to small-scale gardens. For beginners and newcomers like myself, Tucker provides an easy in to growing your own food for all aspiring gardeners. Tucker invites us into a world where any space: a windowsill or patio, for example—can become the sight of fulfilling and environmentally conscious food growth. While the book covers a great deal of material, Tucker’s writing is engaging and encouraging, leaving the reader excited rather than overwhelmed by information. The graphics help make the information more digestible, as do the dedicated “questions” subheadings throughout the chapters. Tucker invites readers to envision their homes as sites for change—as sites for “victory,” and I think gardeners of any experience level will find value in her approach.

[Nora Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tiny Victory Gardens has been so helpful as I plan out my upcoming tiny raised bed garden. Tucker provides great guidance as to how to think about what will grow well together and work symbiotically to create a complete tiny victory garden. The included cheat sheets and the clear organization of the book make it an easy guide to reference whenever I need it, at whatever stage I've reached of working on my garden.

My only critique is that, obviously, this book does not contain all crops. This is totally understandable--there's only so much room in a book! But I decided to include dill and celery in my tiny garden since these are essential crops for me, and neither one is covered in depth in the book. Still, plenty of the advice is still applicable (and there are references to both crops, i.e. what other crops they grow well near) and it's no problem to look at other references, too.

[Anna McCormack · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great instructional manual on how to garden effectively and sustainably in small spaces, especially for beginners like myself! It includes instructional material I didn’t even know I needed and cute suggestions for container garden pairings that I’m super excited to try. It’s also incredibly thorough, providing input on every aspect of container gardening, as well as fun anecdotal material and personal experiences that made it a light and easy read. I now feel much better-equipped to try container gardening at home, and can’t wait to use Acadia’s tips!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book!! As an amateur green thumb living in NYC, this book has guided me on how to grow beautiful fruits and veggies with the limited space that I have. There’s everything you need to know in here, from how to choose/make quality soil, to designing a garden for a small space, to recipes! There are also amazing illustrations that make the instructions super easy to understand. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone!

[Sarah Diamanti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read by Acadia Tucker! Acadia really simplified the process of growing a container gardens. Her writing is very engaging and she explains the topic very well. She even covered pollinating plants indoors and includes recipes to make once you successfully grow your crop. I would highly suggest reading this book as well as Acadia's other books.

[Amiyah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a new gardener and this book was like my bible! I was so impressed by the author's ability to compile a robust amount of information in a succinct, easy-to-read manner. I absolutely love the container garden recipes as well. I definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to start gardening and has no idea where to start.

[Laura Sitterly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Acadia Tucker suggests adding a touch of color to urban spaces in the most delightful way… victory gardens! There’s a reason why the little victories in life are known to hold the most weight. Being patient and nurturing growth is an important part of gardening and building resilience. Tucker teaches both skills in this marvelous book!

[Josie Braaten · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the opening paragraph alone, Acadia's knowledge of and passion for her beloved pursuit of container gardening is more than evident. This first impression is only strenghtened as the chapters progress. Or maybe, vine and blossom into each other would be more accurate descriptions. Because they do. The topics of containers, soil nutrients, arranging, pairing, and lighting move one into the next so seamlessly, that it doesn't feel at all like reading a standard, informational text. Instead, it feels like somehow, you've gotten a chance to have a conversation with Acadia, she's sharing her secrets, and you have no desire to do anything but listen.

One of my favorite sections was when she discussed the decision of selecting which plants would make good container mates. I was expecting her to emphasize the importance of utility- similar water, light, and soil nutrient needs. What I wasn't expecting was for her to suggest pairings that coordinated with recipes and a whole section on the asethetics of each container.

'Tiny Victory Gardens' was such an engaging, informative read, and I'll certainly read it again. But this time, with a notebook beside me and pencil in hand.

[Grace Hollmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great info for beginner gardening. Would have loved more diy of how to make more space inside but it’s not a book about building shelves I guess. I also just dug a hole outside for my new compost pot so needles to say I’m loosing it and if I go missing I’m buried in my own garden.

[Robin]

This was very informative. I learned alot and will be using some those ideas this season. Wonderful read!

[Tim Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely informative! Going to try out some tips and tricks!

[bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best container/urban gardening books I've read. Accessible, easy to understand, and has some great growing tips.