Don’t let a small yard keep you from planting a garden. Be creative and make the most of the space you have. You can grow veggies and herbs in a limited space or in containers on the balcony or patio. Here are five tips for gardening in a small space.
Raised Beds Allow for Gardening in a Small Space
Raised beds are perfect for smaller yards, and you won’t have to dig up your entire lawn. A 4 x 4 foot raised bed is easy to care for and has sufficient space for multiple plants. Build or purchase a raised garden bed at a home improvement store or garden center. Assemble it according to instructions and then fill it with a combination of potting mix and peat moss. This mixture drains well to ensure your plants’ roots don’t stay saturated. Smaller veggie plants grow well in raised beds, including spinach, beans, peas, and bush tomatoes.
Take Advantage of Vertical Space
Grow vine tomatoes or pole beans to use vertical space in the yard. Both of these plants climb trellises. Since they take up vertical rather than horizontal space, you can free up your yard for other plants. One cherry tomato plant will produce enough cherry tomatoes for a small family. Pole bean plants are also prolific, so you only need to plant a few.
Gardening in a Small Space: Grow Herbs in Pots
Herbs including oregano, basil, rosemary, and parsley are great additions to your garden. They’re perfect for small spaces because they perform well in pots. Put a few pieces of gravel in your pots before adding potting mix to ensure the soil drains well.
Keep the potted herbs in the yard where they can enjoy the sun. Since they’re portable, they are easy to move if you need the space for yard games, grilling, or other activities.
Use Plants as Décor
Rely on your vegetable garden as a decorative element in your yard. Bright red cherry tomatoes and green herbs add character to a yard, so you need fewer lawn decorations. Creating a garden in a small space makes the area feel natural. You may find it to be a peaceful place for reading and relaxing.
Plant Shade-Loving Plants Around the Perimeter
When creating a garden in a small space, use the perimeter areas. Plenty of plants will tolerate shade and thrive along a fence line. Shade-tolerant vegetables include arugula, carrots, beets, and broccoli. Mint, chives, oregano, and cilantro are herbs that will grow well in shadier conditions.
Don’t let the size of your yard keep you from growing a garden you’ll enjoy. Gardening in a small space is not difficult if you’re creative and use some of the tips above. Soon, you will be harvesting and enjoying home-grown vegetables and herbs.
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