Are you thinking about designing a small space garden? Then I have some information that that you might consider before you begin.
Nothing makes my heart sing more than gardening. Being out on my patio. Listening to birdsong and watching squirrels. Enjoying the scent of herbs and flowers in my container gardens. I love it all!
So let’s talk about small space garden design.
Depending on the size of your space, you need to ascertain what you want to accomplish in your small space garden.
1. Do you just want to garden?
2. Do you want to also enjoy nature?
3. Do you want to sit and have a beverage and gaze at your garden?
4. All of the above.
Seating In Your Small Space Garden:
All of the above is my focus. I want to garden and enjoy nature, but I want to do it in comfort. So that requires seating.
Choose seating to abide by how much space you have. You might only have a patio or balcony. So choose the seating accordingly.
I have outdoor wicker chairs and a settee. I’ve had them for probably five years and they still look like they did when I brought them home.
Cushions make these chairs quite comfortable. I spend hours sitting out on the patio gazing at the flowers and birds from this seating.
What Type Of Plants To Buy For Your Small Space Garden:
First, figure out if your space has any sun. There’s no point in buying plants that require full sun if you don’t have an area with full sun.
If you don’t know how much sun your area gets, then watch your space at different times of the day. The sun will vary with the seasons, but you can get a reasonable idea by doing this.
After this exercise, draw out a basic garden design on paper when designing a small space garden. Small spaces often mean you will garden in containers. I actually prefer container gardens when living in apartments.
Do You Want Annuals Or Perennials?
Do you want annuals or perennials? With annuals, you will have almost instant gratification. They bloom for one year and then die. But they really put on a show during that one season!
Perennials grow more slowly, but usually come back the following year if winter doesn’t kill them. I’ve had problems with that in container gardening.
As you are designing a small space garden, take the needs of perennials into consideration.
Above are pots of geraniums. If you get citronella geraniums, you will have better luck keeping mosquitoes at bay. The lower pot above is a citronella scented geranium.
Water Features:
When designing a small space garden, you may also decide that you want a water feature. If you have an electric outlet on your patio or balcony, then you can add a water feature.
If you don’t have access to electricity, then you might want to check out a solar fountain. You can buy solar fountains on Amazon.
I had this frog solar fountain once. It got broken. But it is a small solar fountain and will fit on a table.
It is soothing to hear moving water in the background. And birds are attracted to the sound of water moving as well.
You can also add a bird bath to your small space. I have purchased them and I have also created them myself during my many years of gardening.
This one is reasonably priced at Amazon.
You can create a bird bath with any container that doesn’t have a hole in it.
And if you want the sound of moving water, you can order or purchase a solar bird bath fountain pump. They don’t cost all that much.
Here’s one at Amazon that has five stars. I always look at reviews and how many stars customers give after using products. This one is under $20.
Whether you have a small garden, a patio or a balcony, a basic garden design will help you decide what you’ll need.
But there’s no point in shopping until you decide what you have room for and what your sun considerations are.
If you designed a container garden, then you probably already know which plants to get that will fit in pots.
When you shop at the garden nursery, you can always ask someone who works there about plants that will work in your space. I’ve done that many times. They will be knowledgeable if they’ve worked there long.
{This post has affiliate links}
This is a wonderful blog ever. Good design is essential for a small space garden. Also, wise plant selection essential. Please share your opinions on such points.
I’m really excited that you’re doing this series. I’m following along closely so I can help my mom set up a container garden on her patio. She’s 87 and really misses her yard and garden.
V.
You have always had the most wonderful gardens in small spaces! I love reading your tips!
I, too, have too much yard (lawn) to keep looking good. I do have someone who mows it, though. Still, I have quite a few flower beds and really can’t keep up with the weeding either. Sometimes I think I will just do as my grandfather used to threaten: Cover it with cement and paint it green!
He was not fond of lawn mowing! I’ll probably eliminate one or two beds this coming summer and see if it is a relief or not.
Your list of Spring preparation is great, Brenda. I think it will help me stay more organized this coming Spring and Summer. Thanks!
I can’t wait to start decorating my porch and patio with plants! I would love to have a water feature on our patio, but unfortunately we don’t have an outlet there. The nearest one is at the front of our house and the patio is on the side of the house near the back, so too far to even run an extension cord.
If that area gets sun you could try solar.
For some odd reason I have not been getting your emails. Checked my junk folder and they aren’t there. Should I resubscribe?
That or send me your email and I’ll do it.
I’m itching for the season to begin here. We’re not close yet, looks like I may have to wait until the end of April to do serious clean-up (raking out flower beds, removing dead flower stems that over-wintered, etc.). I purchased a solar-powered 2 tier fountain last season, but did not get around to putting it together. I will be doing that soon, the only question is where to station it so I get the best views. My birdbaths are always like Grand Central Station in NYC here, LOL! I love watching 10 sparrows at a time all taking a bath, the yellow finches, the cardinals, jays, robins (lots of robins), and the squirrels. I’ve never seen a squirrel take a bath like a bird does, but they do hop on on the rim of the heavy concrete bird bath to get drinks, so I make sure there is always water, even in the winter. They are very smart. I have several nests around my yard and in the immediate area. Even in way below zero temperatures I will take water outside (I do not keep a heat source in a birdbath to keep it from freezing) in the mornings; they watch from their perches and I’m not even back inside the house when one is already there drinking away, with another chirping and pacing nearby, waiting impatiently to have his (or her) turn. My furry friends are a never-ending source of amusement.
I used to have the prettiest cobalt blue bird bath until a squirrel knocked the top off and it broke.
I’m not a big gardener, but I do enjoy sitting the garden! Soon…I hope!!
Your patio garden is so pretty. You do a fabulous job with your space.
I love gardening, sewing, planting and watching things grow. What I hate is having to mow a lawn. I love the look but not the work it takes to keep it looking green and weed free. and then there is keeping it watered, I resent the amount of water I have to use. I had a lovely pond at my last house but it took a lot of work to keep the water clear and looking good. It was overshadowed somewhat by a large weeping tree so every autumn we had to cover the pond with netting to catch all the leaves from going into the pond.
I sure don’t miss having to deal with a lawn.
Let me just say, I’m jealous. My husband and I spent all weekend working in our yard, him trimming hedges and me pulling weeds (we get frost but not a hard freeze, so everything grows like … weeds during winter, especially the weeds). Monday morning we were so sore we could barely move. I would love nothing more than a small patio or balcony and not have to spend weekend after weekend just trying to keep the place from going wild. And we don’t have a big yard.
For people who love gardening it’s great. But it is really not my thing. Give me a few containers and more time to hike or bike.
I’d much rather have my patio than have to deal with a yard.