Small Space Gardening
There are many different reasons for people choosing to garden in a small space like on a balcony, patio, or courtyard. For some they have moved from a large house to smaller accommodation, and some have chosen to live in rental property to avoid the high-cost of owning a home. Whatever the reason, this doesn’t mean we can’t garden. No space is too small for a small space garden. You could say that only one plant in a container is a garden. In fact, many gardening options are available in terms of pots, half-barrels, window boxes, troughs, cast-iron planters, recycled materials – the list is unending with possibilities.
Planning a Small Space Garden
When planning your small space garden several steps are fundamental. The first consideration is to determine what purpose this space will serve. Next what do you want to do in it, grow vegetables, herbs; entertain family and friends; meditate; create a place of peace and healing; have a memorial garden – the list is endless. Now, walk around your space and really look at what you have. Where are the doors, sheds, permanent and planters located? Clear out any clutter and start with a clean slate.
If possible, take a chair and sit down, move it around, and think about where the energy feels best for you. Wherever that is, place your seating such as a park bench, lounger, Adirondack chairs, dining furniture, swing, etc. Do you want a formal or informal setting? Think of what features you may want? Features such as water, flowers, wind chimes, wild life, color, etc. These can add the finishing touches to your small space garden. Finally, have a plan particularly if you are going to use large features such as a half-barrel because once filled with soil you will not want to be moving it.
Creating a Small Space Garden
Containers: Generally speaking natural materials such as wood, clay, stone, or cast iron in all their forms make better companions for plants. Remember that wet soil weighs a lot so if you garden is on a balcony you may have weight restrictions. Containers made from lighter weight materials such as fiberglass are ideal for roof or balcony gardens. The styles of containers include hanging baskets, wirework stands and baskets, wood window boxes, sinks, troughs, galvanized buckets, old shoes or boots, and all manner of recycled objects.
Scale: Scale is extremely important in small space gardening. For example, small plants look more balanced in small containers, large plants in large containers. I especially like the effect of vines growing on trellis in half-barrels with smaller plants edging the container. I have found that the effect of scarlet runner pole beans is really a knockout with their gorgeous red flowers and you can eat them too.
Microclimates: You should choose plants according to the conditions suitable for their optimum growth. Plants such as begonia, coleus, and Fuchsia prefer shaded areas while geraniums, marigolds, and petunia prefer full sun. Also if you are gardening on a balcony wind can be a major factor and damage fragile plants. For this you need to choose plants that are wind tolerant such as many of the grasses; the sound of the rustling of the grasses as the wind blows through them is very pleasing to the ear.
Soil: I buy pre-mixed potting soil from garden centers or department stores. These are generally lighter in weight, are sterilized to prevent weed seeds from germinating, and contain a lot of peat moss that helps loosen the soil so that it doesn’t compact in pots.
Watering: Check daily as container plants often dry out more quickly. This is especially true if you are using clay pots. Make sure your pots have drainage holes though, as roots sitting in water will rot. You may even want to empty saucers that are full after heavy rain fall.
Fertilizer: Due to frequent watering, container plants require fertilizer on a more consistent basis than plants in the ground do. I use only organic fertilizers such as blood meal, bone meal, or fish emulsion, as I add the soil to the garden at the end of the season, and chemical fertilizers harm the wildlife.
Function: When you are creating your small space garden you are actually designing an outdoor room. So keep in mind you may want to color coordinated it so it appears as an extension of your home. I also move my indoor plants outside for the summer (which they love) and design these areas as garden rooms.
Focal point: Create a focal point such as a large pot, tall plant or small tree, color, or a water feature. You can also create a sense of mystery by hiding a plant or ornament behind something else to give the pleasure of discovering it.
Color: In a small space, try using three colors such as pinks, blues, and whites; reds, oranges, and yellows; or reds, whites, and purples that provide continuity rather than too many colors which tend to be distracting. Cool colors can make the space appear bigger and brighter while intense colors tend to shrink spaces. A white and green color theme called a ‘moon garden’ is more formal and particularly at night it’s spectacular.
Lighting: I like the small Xmas lights hidden in plants or interwoven throughout a trellis with climbing vines. Small spotlights can focus attention on a particular area for evening entertaining.
Small space gardening is fun and not that much work as you don’t have that much to take care of. But it can have a huge impact on your outdoor living space.
Continually developing “ideas for outdoor living”
February 2nd, 2009 at 3:24 am
It’s ok to have a comment.
February 2nd, 2009 at 3:36 am
I always appreciate all comments given whether they are good or bad. I do like the positive ones best though. But I learn from the negative ones more. So don’t be afraid to leave a comment.
February 4th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
[...] Ideas for Outdoor Living » Blog Archive » Small Space Gardening [...]
February 8th, 2009 at 3:16 am
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February 8th, 2009 at 6:47 am
I only have a balcony to use as a garden and your article was really helpful.
February 28th, 2009 at 4:11 am
Great ideas I find it hard to know what to do with my small back yard.
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April 1st, 2009 at 10:45 am
You make things clear and I like what you say thanks
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:41 am
I only have a small garden on my balcony. This article has really helped.
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:50 am
I only have a small spot to garden and so I found your article very helpful.
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April 2nd, 2009 at 11:46 am
I like my small garden as it is something I can manage. good ideas
April 2nd, 2009 at 3:11 pm
I am going to try this this summer as all I have is a very small yard. Thanks for the ideas.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:34 am
good ideas I too just have a small patio but love flowers but have been frustrated be what to do. Your ideas have really helped me thanks
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:47 am
It is spring and I have been thinking about getting outside and starting to do something but my back yard is so small I have often not known what to do. Thanks for the great ideas.
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:01 pm
I just happened on your site and came across this article. I only have a balcony and this will help me a lot. thanks
April 4th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Boy I really needed this info. I only have a very small patio and I so much enjoy gardening. Great ideas and help
April 4th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Great article. I like your site and will be back for more good info.
April 4th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
This is a really good article and has helped me a lot as I think about my space to garden
April 5th, 2009 at 2:05 am
good article I agree with what others have said. very helpful. When you live in the city there are a lot of us that have very little space to grow flowers and I love them.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:14 am
It is spring and we are all wanting to get outside. It’s a little early yet where I live but this article is getting me excited thanks
April 6th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
I have a very small patio at the present time and I love having flowers around in the summer so this article was a joy and a real help.
April 6th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
I really enjoy my small garden in the summer. This article is right on.
April 8th, 2009 at 9:57 am
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April 8th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
good info really good ideas thanks
April 9th, 2009 at 9:35 am
I love may small balcony garden. It is amazing all I can grow. good article.
April 9th, 2009 at 11:39 am
I think I could handle a small garden I am just not very good with plants but I love them.
April 9th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
I like your site, and this article on small space gardening is great. Good ideas and info
April 9th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Boy all I have is a small spot and this article has given me some ideas thanks
April 9th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
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April 10th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Good article and I really like the information you share.
April 10th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
I like my small garden that way I can keep it up as I don’t have much time. I like what you have to say.
April 11th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
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April 12th, 2009 at 6:05 am
I like the article as it helped me. I only have small yard but love to garden thanks.
April 14th, 2009 at 10:12 am
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April 15th, 2009 at 3:38 am
I love my small garden. It is a real joy and just enough to keep me happy.
It is also a size I can manage. good blog
April 15th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
This is great I only have a small space and I needed some Ideas as to what I could do.
April 17th, 2009 at 8:38 am
My small space is small but I do so much enjoy it. thanks for sharing
April 18th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
I really like what you say as I only have a small patio and I need all the help I can get. I love being out side but everyone else seems to do a way better job than me.
April 19th, 2009 at 11:44 am
A small garden is a great thing to have. I can manage it. It is beautiful and I can enjoy it as much as any.
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April 26th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
great post I needed some ideas for my small yard and this really helped me.
April 27th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Small gardens are just my size. good help
April 29th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
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May 1st, 2009 at 4:23 am
I love my patio it is the only place I have to grow some flowers and enjoy them. Thanks for the good info and help.
May 4th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
when you only have a small yard then you have to make the best of it. good ideas
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Having only a small garden works for me. Good info
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