Start your compact garden in under a week.
Follow this short path to map your light, choose containers, and plant your first success without wasting money on the wrong gear.
Your quick-start plan
Day 1: Measure light
Track morning and afternoon sun. Snap a photo every 2 hours to see bright spots.
- 0-3 hours: shade plants and herbs
- 4-6 hours: leafy greens, peppers
- 6+ hours: tomatoes, peppers, basil
Day 2: Pick containers
Match container depth to the plant you want. Bigger roots need deeper pots.
- 6-8 inches: herbs and greens
- 10-12 inches: peppers, eggplant
- 14+ inches: tomatoes
Day 3: Build your soil
Use a lightweight mix that drains well and does not compact.
- 60% potting mix
- 20% coconut coir
- 20% perlite or pumice
Day 4: Plant and label
Start with 3-4 plants total. Keep it small, then expand.
First-week checkpoint
- 1
Before planting
Map light and container size so crop choice fits the space before money leaves your pocket.
- 2
After planting
Check moisture, drainage, wind movement, and indoor light stretch before adding more pots.
- 3
At day seven
Keep what is working, correct the first weak signal, and only then scale to the next guide or tool.
Pick your first guide
Use a planner before planting
Balcony sunlight planner
Turn a quick light log into plant placement zones for rails, floors, and walls.
Open toolContainer soil volume calculator
Estimate potting mix volume and container depth before you buy bags or pots.
Open toolApartment watering schedule builder
Build a conservative watering rhythm from light, pot size, plant type, and indoor/outdoor exposure.
Open tool