How to Plant and Grow a Pizza Garden for Your Freshest Homemade Pie Yet

Few meals are better than a fresh, hot pizza—especially one that's homemade. But if you want to take it to the next level, consider growing a pizza garden. This fun approach to gardening is designed to grow the fresh vegetables and herbs essential to making a delicious pizza, from the tomato sauce down to the toppings. You can customize it anyway you like—whether you segment it like a real pie with slices or create a container pizza garden on your balcony or patio.

Choose a Location for Your Pizza Garden

Choose a location that offers adequate sunlight and soil drainage. "In general, the plants in pizza gardens require plenty of sunlight, at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day," says Carrie Spoonemore, co-creator of Park Seed's From Seed to Spoon app. "The soil should be well-draining and rich in nutrients."

If starting indoors, choose a sunny spot like a windowsill. Also consider how much space you have—a pizza garden doesn't have to be big if planted in containers or raised beds. 

How to Make and Plant a Pizza Garden

Pizza gardens can be grown in the ground or in containers. If you're growing it in your garden, you'll need to prepare a bed before planting.

Step 1: Clear the Area

Once you've chosen a planting site, start by removing any weeds, rocks, or debris from the location. You can remove weeds through pulling or cultivating, but note that the latter brings more weed seeds to the surface, says Melinda Myers, gardening expert and host of the Great Courses How to Grow Anything DVD series.

Step 2: Prepare the Soil

Gently till the soil by breaking up any clumps, removing rocks and debris, and loosening the soil. "This allows the roots to penetrate easily and promotes better plant growth," says Spoonemore.

Step 3: Add Organic Matter

Amending your soil with organic matter will provide plants with essential nutrients and enhance soil fertility. "Those with fast draining, sandy soil or heavy soils may opt to work several inches of compost or other organic matter into the top 8 inches of the soil," says Myers. "The compost improves drainage in clay soil and increases water retention in sandy soil."

Step 4: Level the Surface

Make sure the surface of the bed is level and even. "This will help with water distribution and make it easier to plant and care for the garden," says Spoonemore.

Step 5: Plan Your Layout

Once your bed is ready, decide on the placement of each plant based on the space requirements and growth habits. "Leave enough space between plants to accommodate their mature sizes and promote proper air circulation," says Spoonemore.

Step 6: Add Your Plants

Now it's time for the fun part—adding your plants. "Follow the instructions on the seed packets for proper planting depth," says Spoonemore. "Water the seeds well after planting to help them establish." If planting from a container, dig adequate sized holes for your plants, remove the plants from their containers, place them in their designated spot, and backfill with soil.

How to Segment a Pizza Garden

There are many ways to segment a pizza garden—and the one you choose comes down to personal preference.

• By plant type: Group separate sections by tomato plants, herbs, and peppers. "This makes it easy to tend to each plant's specific needs," says Spoonemore.
• By colors: Organize the garden beds by colors to create a visually impressive pizza garden. "Group red tomatoes with red bell peppers or place yellow bell peppers with golden cherry tomatoes," says Spoonemore.
• By companion planting: Certain plants grow better when placed near each other. For example, the strong smell of basil can keep pests away from tomatoes.
• By growth habit: Segment the garden by height. "Place tall plants like tomatoes and trellised peppers in the back and shorter herbs and toppings in the front," says Spoonemore.
• By shape: Shape your garden bed like a pizza and segment the plants into slices. Use a rope to mark the outline of the circle, then divide into segments like a sliced pizza. "You can have each ingredient in each slice of the pizza or the taller plants in the middle and shorter ones on the edge," says Myers.

How to Care for a Pizza Garden

Like any type of garden, there is some routine care your pizza garden will need to ensure it thrives.

Water

The watering needs of each plant can vary based on factors like its size, soil type, weather conditions, and plant maturity. "In general, most pizza gardens require about 1 to 2 inches of water per week," says Spoonemore. "Ensure that the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged. Stick your finger about 1 inch into the soil to check for moisture. If it feels dry, it's time to water." It's best to water your garden in the morning before the sun gets too hot.

Sunlight

Generally, most plants in a pizza garden require a lot of sunlight. At least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day is ideal.

Soil

Pizza gardens need well-draining, loamy soil that contains essential nutrients. To get a better understanding of the type of soil you have, consider conducting a soil test. This will tell you what amendments your soil needs, if any.

Fertilizer

Once your pizza garden is established, administer a fertilizer with an analysis of 3 percent nitrogen, 4 percent phosphorous, and 4 percent potassium, says Spoonemore. This will supplement the soil with nutrients during the growing season.

Support

Some of the plants in your pizza garden will need support. "It is highly recommended to provide stakes for plants that have a vining or upright growth habit," says Spoonemore. "These plants can become top-heavy as they mature and the stakes will not only provide support, but also improve air circulation by keeping them upright, enhance sunlight exposure by lifting them off the ground, and make them easier to harvest."

Best Plants for a Pizza Garden

Grow plants in your pizza garden that you can use for toppings and sauce. The vegetables and herbs you choose come down to personal preference, but there are some varieties experts recommend.

• Tomatoes (paste tomatoes, like Roma and Amish Paste, can be used for the sauce)
• Onions
• Garlic
• Bell pepper
• Basil
• Oregano
• Arugula
• Spinach

Growing a Pizza Garden in Containers

If you don't have room to grow a pizza garden in the ground, opt for a container garden instead. For this approach, consider growing compact varieties ideal for small spaces, as you'll need to ensure there's enough space between plants to allow for proper air circulation and growth. "Consider the mature size of the plants you want to grow and select containers that provide enough space for their root systems," says Spoonemore. "Container plants may require more frequent watering than garden plants, as they can dry out faster. Check the moisture level regularly and water when the top inch of the soil feels dry."