If you only have a small backyard area and it is paved, you can plant small seeds in the cracks between paving bricks and the plants will grow very well. Smallish plants like basil, chilli, other herbs, etc. If the pavers are completely pressed together it might not work but if you have a few mm then no problem. Bigger gaps even better, throw in some snowpea or bean seeds. There’s enough nutrients so no need to buy soil and watering is minimal because the paving prevents evaporation. A self sown chilli and basil flourished in my backyard this way during summer just gone.
