If you think your backyard is too small for a garden, think again. There are a number of creative ways to arrange flowers and plants that will work no matter how small the space. All you need is the right tools and a little creativity. Take a look at the following ideas to get a little inspiration for your small backyard, and your garden will go from non-existent to flourishing in no time.
Contents
Planting a Vertical Garden
Make a vertical garden using a few simple items that can be purchased from your local garden center and hardware store. A clay pot approximately sixteen inches in diameter will serve as the base. Fill the pot about half way up with decorative pebbles. For a sturdier base, fill the bottom of the pot with pieces of concrete before placing the pebbles inside.
To make the frame for the vertical garden, a 34-inch cylinder made of wire mesh is placed in the pot anchoring it with more of the river pebbles. Line the inside of the cylinder with sphagnum moss that has been moistened. This is done by working in rows from the bottom to the top. Next fill the cylinder with potting soil.
All that is left to do is place your plants through the holes on the outside of the cylinder making sure the roots are in the potting soil. The best plants for the vertical garden are ones that have smaller root systems because they are not as heavy as other plants. Succulents are an excellent choice.
A Four Square Foot Garden
If you have four square feet of space, a garden can be planted with vegetables or flowers and plants. In the first two feet of the spot chosen, plant a couple of cherry tomato plants or taller plants such as elephant ears. In the next square foot of space place smaller plants such as coleus or herbs such as basil. In the last square foot plants such as fancy leaf caladiums or a cucumber plants can be grown.
The Rain Gutter Garden
If you don’t want to use precious limited ground space in your backyard, you can create a simple plant or flower display using rain gutters. Purchase rain gutters at your local home improvement store or roofing company such as Seneca Creek Roofing and attach them to the side of your house (within reach) or even along the fence. The rain gutters then serve as long flower or plant boxes that will display your garden without taking up room on the ground. Be sure to drill a few holes throughout the gutters so that they can drain after being watered. According to the professionals who provide pest control in Edmonton, this is also a great way to keep insects and critters from getting into your plants. Placing them higher up on the wall will keep the plants safe and ensure that they get plenty of sunlight—just make sure you don’t place the gutters on a wall or fence that is shaded throughout the day, or your plants won’t survive.
A Trellis Garden
The back wall of your home can be the perfect place to attach a trellis or more than one. They are widely available in garden centers. Attach the trellis to the wall with stainless steel screws, galvanized nails or staples. At the bottom of the trellis, place pots with plants that vine such as ivy or roses. They may be attached to the trellis with string to give them a start and before you know it, the trellis will be covered with beautiful plants.
Wheel Barrow Garden
A popular and decorative gardening method for small backyards is to use a wheel barrow for your plants or flowers. They can be painted to add whimsy and fun to the yard, and lined with gravel for stability. Drill small holes in the bottom for drainage and add potting soil to create a cute garden. One plant that will look gorgeous in the wheel barrow garden is the Kochia Scoparia or Summer Cypress. This plant is easy to grow, hardy, drought tolerant, and ornamental.
If you’ve been dreaming of growing vegetables, your favorite flowers, or some exotic plants, you no longer need to lament over your tiny backyard. Think outside the box and utilize the limited space you do have. Most of these ideas are inexpensive and can be completed in an afternoon—a flourishing garden is a closer reality than you might think!
