Short on space for veggies? Smaller varieties thrive in pots

FOR many gardeners, a large property with rows of green peppers and sun-kissed tomatoes as far as the eye can see is just a dream. Many of us either don’t have much soil to call our own, have limited mobility, or are new to gardening and feel intimidated.

But sometimes, smaller is better. I encourage even those who have large properties to start small, increasing the size of their gardens gradually to avoid the weeds and neglected plants that often result when expectations don’t quite align with reality.

The best way to start small is to plant vegetables in containers. And the good news is that in response to the gardening renaissance of the past few years, plant breeders have been scaling down the size of many edibles to accommodate people gardening on rooftops, fire escapes, patios and balconies.

Seek out dwarf or compact varieties of your favorite vegetables. Despite