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3 SMALL-SPACE GARDENS

Garden Gate

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Issue 185 - Winter 2025

Here are three 14x14-foot patio plans, each with its own distinct flavor, because a small space doesn't have to limit your style.

3 SMALL-SPACE GARDENS

COTTAGE COOL Who says small spaces can't still produce a large amount of flowers and food? If you're a sucker for big blooms and homegrown edibles, here's everything you need to know.

POLLINATORS AND PRODUCE One secret to getting the most produce in a small space is to add pollinator plants. Here, garden phlox brings in the butterflies and bees, ensuring a bumper crop of vegetables. And you can't beat the coziness of being surrounded by plants on almost all sides. 'Shockwave' phlox is also a long bloomer and has variegated foliage for even more interest. The hybrid foxglove lives and flowers longer than most other varieties. The shape of the patio allows for a little more growing space for edibles but still leaves enough room to walk around the table.

CONTAINER GROWN Some vegetables are grown in containers because there isn't enough in-ground space available. In this garden, containers are placed in the border. The pots add height and keep the plants a manageable size. 'Astia' bush zucchini has lovely foliage that looks good in a container, but compact eggplant and okra make pretty plants too.

A Garden phlox

Phlox paniculata 'Shockwave'

Perennial; lavender-pink flowers in summer and vibrant green and gold variegated foliage; full sun to part shade; 12 to 18 in. tall and wide; cold zones 4 to 8

B Foxglove

Digitalis Illumination® Raspberry

Tender perennial; multiple spikes of fuchsia-pink flowers with apricot throats bloom on the same plant all summer; full sun to part shade; 18 to 24 in. tall and wide; cold zones 8 to 10

C Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum 'Garden Gem'

Annual; a bush tomato with snack-sized red fruit that matures early in the season and produces prolifically on smaller plants; full sun; 30 to 42 in. tall, 12 to 20 in. wide

D Nasturtium

FLERE HISTORIER FRA Garden Gate

Garden Gate

Garden Gate

The Giving Garden

This award-winning garden is rooted in personal connections.

time to read

8 mins

Issue 185 - Winter 2025

Garden Gate

Garden Gate

2026's Best New Plants!

While it's a bit soon to start planting, this time of year is great for dreaming and making plans for the upcoming season.

time to read

10 mins

Issue 185 - Winter 2025

Garden Gate

Garden Gate

Epimedium

This tough shade perennial provides year-round, deer-resistant beauty where few others thrive.

time to read

7 mins

Issue 185 - Winter 2025

Garden Gate

Garden Gate

Reader Tips - GREAT IDEAS FROM SMART GARDENERS

JoAnne found a simple way to keep delicate stems from flopping over: She cuts the bottom off a clear disposable plastic cup, then makes a slit up the side and slips it around the plant's stem. It's a great way to provide a house plant, newly planted perennial or new cutting extra support as it grows.

time to read

2 mins

Issue 185 - Winter 2025

Garden Gate

Winter Survival Strategies

If you're worried about the effects the weather might have on your garden this year, find ways to make sure plants are off to a strong start in spring!

time to read

1 min

Issue 185 - Winter 2025

Garden Gate

Garden Gate

3 SMALL-SPACE GARDENS

Here are three 14x14-foot patio plans, each with its own distinct flavor, because a small space doesn't have to limit your style.

time to read

5 mins

Issue 185 - Winter 2025

Garden Gate

Garden Gate

SHARED WISDOM

My “stone age” began in my childhood, when my dad would take our family on hikes to the creek behind our house.

time to read

7 mins

Issue 185 - Winter 2025

Garden Gate

Garden Gate

Light Up the Shade

This is the plant for you if you're looking for something unusual for your shade garden. Carolina pink is native to the southeastern United States, but it is becoming increasingly rare in the wild. Luckily, it's starting to take off as a garden plant, and a striking one at that.

time to read

2 mins

Issue 185 - Winter 2025

Garden Gate

Garden Gate

WHICH shade ANNUAL IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

THIS or THAT: IMPATIENS VS. BROWALLIA

time to read

2 mins

Issue 185 - Winter 2025

Garden Gate

Garden Gate

Pretty Permaculture

After some home construction, Joseph and Shalyn Donofro’s zone 5 backyard was left with low-quality, compacted soil and not much of anything else. They envision a beautiful space that supports their young family’s healthy lifestyle goals, teaches responsibility to their children and enables them to spend quality time outdoors together. They want the cottage garden aesthetic, as well as the benefits of basic permaculture practices, which encourage sustainability and enrich the well-being of both the garden and the gardeners.

time to read

4 mins

Issue 185 - Winter 2025

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