Making a small garden feel bigger can be a challenge but it’s not impossible. If you’ve just moved into a house with limited outdoor space, we’ve put together some tips and tricks for maximizing a small garden.
Table of contents
Focus on vertical space
One of the best ways to maximize a small garden is to take advantage of the vertical space that you do have. You might not have much ground to work with, but you can attach planters to walls and fences that allow you to add more plants to the garden.
You can hang plant pots from any tree branches, or add hooks to the outside of your house for hanging baskets. Tiered planters and ladders also work well to provide more space for plant pots, and they’re easy to move about if you decide to rearrange your garden.
Use trellis for climbing plants that cover your wall space. This is a great way to grow a lot of fruit trees and climbing vegetables. As they grow, they’ll provide more privacy for your garden if other houses overlook it. There are many flowering plants that will climb as well such as the climbing Hydrangea. Even if the walls are in shade at the bottom, this is actually preferable for many climbing perennials that can reach up to the sunlight but need cool, moist roots.
Choose big pots and planters
Just because the space is small it doesn’t mean that everything in it has to be small. If you add lots of small plants in individual pots it’ll make your garden feel crowded and cluttered.
Choose bigger plant pots in the same style and group them together in a few spots around the garden to make the space feel coherent. Potted plants are usually easier to maintain and you don’t have to worry so much about them getting overgrown. Plus you can take them with you when you next move.
Planters also allow you to have bigger spaces to fill without having to dig out flower beds. You can find a range of pre-made planters and beds from somewhere like Raised Garden Beds that will fit into whatever space you have available.
Add a second level
You might think a patio or decking would make your garden feel smaller, but different levels will actually break it up and make it feel more spacious. Decking is relatively easy to install and it can make a great area to add seating and a table where you can sit and relax and view the rest of the garden.
Of course, if you’re renting then you need to check with your landlord before making any major changes to your garden. And it’s important to get the right insurance for your possessions and any damage that might occur when you’re renovating — a good place to look for flexible insurance is Duuo. By choosing insurance from somewhere like Duuo you’ll be covered against any issues that occur while you’re renting, and you can cancel whenever you move on.
Divide up your garden
Another trick to make your garden seem bigger is to divide it up into different areas so that you can’t see the whole garden at once. Add a trellis or a fence halfway across your garden so that you have two separate sections. Because you can’t view everything it will create an illusion of more space. You can keep one area for sitting and relaxing in, and then focus all your gardening in the second area and fill it with plants.
Square foot gardening
If you’ve got big plans for what you want to grow in your garden then don’t let space hold you back — adopt a square foot gardening approach. Divide your flower beds or planters into smaller one-foot square sections, and then plant different seeds or plants in each one. This will allow you to plant a wide variety of flowers and vegetables, and make the most of your space without wasting any.
Bring the outdoors inside
If you’re really struggling with the space in your garden, then why not bring your garden indoors? There are plenty of plants that thrive indoors and make your house feel more green and spacious. Many houseplants are really easy to care for and will also purify the air in your home.
Herbs are also good plants to grow indoors, you just need a sunny windowsill or spot and you can set up a planter to grow things like basil, cilantro, and rosemary. You can even grow fruit and vegetables indoors too — avocados, lemons, some oranges, lettuce, and carrots will all do well indoors with the right set up.
The key to maximizing your small garden is to use the space you do have effectively. By following these tips you’ll be able to fulfill your gardening ambitions in even the most compact outdoor space.
Author
Sinead McLarty
