You think you can’t have a beautiful garden because you live in an apartment? Think again.
One of the challenges for all gardening enthusiasts, but especially those who live in urban settings, is the lack of space. But that shouldn’t be a problem. There are countless small space gardening ideas out there that you can adapt for your small yard, patio or balcony.
In this article, we’ll explore the best very small garden ideas so you can make the most of your small space to enjoy gardening.
How Much Space Do You Have?
You don’t need a large piece of land to have a garden. Even if your plot is no bigger than a few square meters, you should be able to create a small beautiful garden.
The trick to a great small garden layout is to utilize all space to create maximum yield and a beautiful natural oasis. Also, don’t forget about the use of a planter. Even if you live in an apartment with only balcony space, you can use patio containers or grow bags for vegetables or attractive flowers.
Choosing the Right Plants to Grow
Keep the following tips in mind and you’ll have an easier time choosing the right plants for your small space garden.
- Maintenance Requirements – Maintenance in a small space garden is normally less intensive. However, you should be clear about what upkeep you need to do. The garden may look great initially, but many perennials need to be divided every few years. Otherwise, they’ll start to die out or squeeze out adjacent plants. Also consider how often your plants need to be watered and fertilized.
- The Size of Your Garden – The smaller the garden, the fewer plants you should have in it. This especially applies if you are using a large, focal point plant. Too much plant diversity will quickly make a small space look cluttered.
- Color Preferences – You should choose no more than 3 colors or 3 different types of plants. You may want at least 3 of each of the 3 types of plants, which makes 9 plants. (When arranging plants, odd numbers are often the most visually appealing.) Then play with positioning the plants in your small space for a perfect look.
Choose plants with extra character – Avoid planting one-hit wonders, like flowers that only bloom for a brief time of the year. Instead, go for plants with the “big three” traits – fascinating foliage, a long bloom time, and interesting bark. Choose foliage plants that look attractive all season. Plants that have at least two of the big three traits deliver more impact per plant. They also make the most of a small space.
Avoid using shrubs that are too big and overpowering – Choose shrubs and plants that have a sense of scale and balance. In small space gardens, it’s imperative that the garden looks lush throughout the year. So, it is advisable to choose shrubs that are evergreen and supplement the small garden layout with bulbs and herbaceous plants for seasonal highlights.
Tending to Your Garden
Like any other gardening, small space gardening requires the same basic requirements. First, the soil needs to be rich and organic. This will help your plants to grow properly.
You also need 6-8 hours of sun every day, the right amount of water, and nutrients. But you may need to scale these requirements down to suit your space limitations and the growing needs for your choice of plants.
Just because you are gardening in a small space doesn’t mean you will need less water. The amount of water you actually use could be less, thanks to the fewer plants. But every plant’s individual requirements remains the same depending on the weather and soil conditions.
Never make the mistake of failing to water your garden hoping that it rains. For small space vegetable gardening, consider investing in a drip irrigation system. This will help prevent over-watering.
Conclusion
When we think of gardening, we normally imagine a large space. But you don’t have to have a big area to create a charming garden. With a thoughtful layout and the right growing conditions such as sufficient sunshine, and if you choose the right plants for a small garden, you can make an enviable success of gardening in small spaces.
