For those living on small blocks or even balconies, there are still heaps of edible plants you can grow year-round. Courtyard gardens are especially wonderful during cold winter days when we want to hang out in sheltered sunny spots in the garden. The courtyard garden below is filled with perennial edible plants, most of which are growing in small container and wicking pots.

Start small, even a single wicking box and a nice perennial salad green like Lebanese cress for example. It can be as easy (and inexpensive) as this:

1. Use a styrofoam box (often free from the local grocer).

2. Give the exterior of the box a quick paint.

3. Position the box in the garden.

4. Fill with compost and healthy garden soil.

5. Plant your seedlings or cuttings.

6. Use a stick to poke a couple of drain holes about 1/3 of the way up the box.

7. Now fill with water until it comes out the drain holes.

8. Add a little Seasol and a layer of mulch (i.e. fine sugarcane mulch).

Lebanese cress, okinawa spinach, sambung, mint, sorrel, lemon balm, valerian, lemongrass and brazilian spinach all thrive in a wicking container grown in a sunny courtyard or balcony. If growing on a balcony, aim for morning sun as opposed to harsh afternoon sun.

This type of garden can easily be maintained in under an hour a week. Though it is so gorgeous and abundant with food that you will want to spend much more time there!