A fun, food-loving garden plan you can grow on a patio, balcony, or backyard—yes, even in Canada!
A couple years ago, I helped a young couple in Vancouver turn their tiny balcony into something amazing.
No lawn. No raised beds. Just a few square feet of concrete, some railings, and sunlight.
They told me, “Darrell, we’re not into roses or succulents. We just want to grow the stuff that goes inside a burger.”
And I thought… this is the greatest idea I’ve heard in ages.
So we sat down and designed it.
A garden that grows everything you need for a homemade McVeggie burger.
Crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, tangy pickles, onions, fresh herbs—even ingredients for the patty itself.
And let me tell you—it worked.
They were harvesting sandwich toppings faster than they could eat ‘em.
So now, I’m sharing the exact plan with you.
Because you don’t need a farm to grow your own food—you just need a good plan and a few containers.
Let’s build your McVeggie Burger Garden.
🥬 1. Lettuce – The Crunchy Foundation
If you’re going to stack a veggie burger, it’s gotta start with a crispy layer of lettuce. Thankfully, lettuce is:
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Fast-growing
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Container-friendly
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Loves cooler weather (hello, Canadian spring and fall)
Top varieties for small spaces:
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‘Buttercrunch’ – soft, sweet, and super popular
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‘Little Gem’ – mini romaine heads, perfect for tight spots
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‘Salad Bowl’ – cut-and-come-again type
Container size: Minimum 6 inches deep. Works in rail planters, hanging baskets, or window boxes.
Darrell’s tip: Sow new seeds every 2–3 weeks for a continuous harvest. Water consistently and keep it in partial shade in hot summer months to avoid bolting.
🍅 2. Tomatoes – The Star of the Show
If lettuce is the foundation, tomatoes are the heart. And yes—you can grow them in pots. You just have to pick the right type.
Best compact tomato varieties:
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‘Tiny Tim’ – bushy and productive
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‘Tumbler’ – perfect for hanging baskets
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‘Patio Princess’ – sweet and small, bred for containers
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‘Red Robin’ – tiny but mighty!
Container size: At least 5 gallons with drainage holes.
Support: Even dwarf tomatoes need staking or cages. Use bamboo sticks or mini trellises to keep fruit off the soil.
Darrell’s tip: Use organic tomato fertilizer every 10–14 days once flowers appear. Keep soil evenly moist and give them 6–8 hours of direct sun daily.
🧅 3. Onions – Layer in the Flavor
Want sweet red onion rings or fresh green onions for that burger bite? You can grow both in containers—even in tight spaces.
Options for your burger garden:
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Green onions (scallions): Fast and easy. Perfect for succession planting.
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Bulb onions (red, yellow, white): Takes longer, but worth it if you have deep containers.
Container depth:
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Green onions: 4–6 inches
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Bulb onions: 8–10 inches minimum
Darrell’s tip: Start from onion sets (baby bulbs) in early spring. Keep them in full sun and feed with high-nitrogen fertilizer during early growth.
🥒 4. Cucumbers (Aka Pickles!)
What’s a burger without pickles? You can grow your own cucumbers for pickling—even in a hanging basket or vertical trellis setup.
Best varieties for small spaces:
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‘Picklebush’ – compact, bred for containers
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‘Patio Snacker’ – crunchy and prolific
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‘Spacemaster’ – climbs well and stays controlled
Container tip: Use 5-gallon containers and train vines up a small trellis, railing, or obelisk.
Darrell’s tip: Cucumbers love heat and need plenty of water. Harvest when small (3–4 inches) for crisp pickling. We even carry home pickling kits in-store!
🌿 5. The Secret Sauce: Herbs
Whether you’re flavoring the patty or spicing up the sauce, herbs are a must-have.
Essentials for your McVeggie Garden:
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Basil – sweet, aromatic, pairs perfectly with tomato
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Dill – must-have for pickling
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Parsley – bright and refreshing
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Oregano & thyme – great for seasoning patties
Container size: Shallow pots (4–6 inches deep) work fine. Use a vertical herb rack or windowsill trays to save space.
Darrell’s tip: Harvest herbs often to encourage growth. Snip in the morning for best flavour.
🍄 Bonus Round: Grow Your Own Burger Patty Base?
Want to go full DIY? Try growing the ingredients for your actual veggie patty. Some ideas:
✅ Mushrooms
Oyster or lion’s mane mushrooms can be grown in small shady spots or even indoors.
(We sell grow kits at DH Garden Centre!)
✅ Beans
Bush beans grow well in containers and provide plant protein for your burger base. Try ‘Provider’ or ‘Blue Lake’.
Darrell’s tip: Cook your beans, mix with herbs and spices, and blend with oats or breadcrumbs to form burger patties.
🪴 Can You Really Grow This in Any Space?
Yes, 100%. Whether you’ve got:
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A balcony in downtown Vancouver
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A patio in Burnaby
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A backyard in Richmond
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Or just a sunny windowsill in your apartment…
You can grow some (or all) of this.
Just use containers, grow bags, vertical setups, and smart plant selection.
We even carry starter kits at DH Garden Centre to make it easy.
💚 Final Thoughts from Darrell at DH Garden Centre
Growing your own food is powerful.
It’s fun.
It’s affordable.
And there’s nothing more satisfying than biting into a homemade burger stacked with ingredients you grew yourself.
No chemicals. No plastic packaging. Just sun, soil, and satisfaction.
So go ahead—build your burger garden.
Your stomach will thank you later.
📍 Come Visit Us or Shop Online!
DH Garden Centre
3742 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC
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