Gardening in Small Spaces

 

Gardening requires a little bit of time, a little bit of planning, a little bit of patience, and surprisingly, not a lot of space. Your small-space garden could be on a patio or porch, a balcony, or even the narrow green space leading to your backyard. If you have the will and desire to create a garden, there’s a way - no matter the size of your space. 

 

Fortunately, there are a number of innovative (and inexpensive) ways to do small-space gardening. Plants will grow if you supply them enough sunlight, have access to water, and some soil. Incorporate some of these ideas and you’ll be on your way to your custom-created garden space.  

 

Choose your plants

Picking the right plants for your space can make or break your garden. Read the plant’s tag to learn about its eventual size, sunlight needs, etc. Avoid plants that will outgrow their designated space quickly. If your garden space has limited sunlight, choose plants that thrive in shade. Try container or vertical gardening if space is an issue. 

Fruiting vegetables, such as peppers, tomatoes, and flowers, when planted in the spring, require six to eight hours of direct sunlight to flourish. Root vegetables and greens require only four to six hours, so create your garden plan accordingly. There are several types of lettuce and herbs, as well as other vegetables such as kale, broccoli and radishes that are perfect for fall containers.

 

Choosing the container

How large and how quickly your plants grow to depend on the size of their containers. You might be able to limit the size of a plant by growing them in containers that are a size too small (i.e. six-inch pot versus four-inch pot). However, this logic doesn’t work for all plants, so do your research or ask the experts at Winding Creek Nursery prior to planting. 

Also, keep in mind that container gardening doesn’t mean you’re limited to the typical clay or plastic planters. With some imagination, a variety of items in your home can be transformed into a planter. When choosing the recycled container, make sure it can hold enough soil and allow for adequate drainage. 

 

Level up

If your space has a limited ground area, maximize your vertical space. Walls and trellises are a great way to grow vines or a favorite tree. Attach box planters to your balcony or fence, add window boxes to grow flowers or herbs. Not only will this allow you to get more greenery in a small area, but it will also add visual interest. Having plants at different heights grouped makes your garden more appealing and allows you to mix different plant varieties without seeming overwhelming. For added appeal and visual focus, design your space using a color scheme. Complementary colors will make your garden oasis feel put together.

 

Our certified staff and Illinois Certified Nurseryman can answer all your landscaping and gardening questions. Stop by Winding Creek Nursery for a variety of trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials, and vegetable plants as well as home and garden decor. Visit our website or call us at (630) 553-7211. For current specials and gardening tips, follow us on Facebook.