Gardening In Small Spaces
The Gardener|June 2017

Size doesn’t matter when it comes to an exciting garden.

Gardening In Small Spaces

Gardening in a small space can be quite a challenge, especially if you have downsized from a bigger garden, but with careful planning it is possible to create a new garden that is both exciting and fulfilling.

The key to designing any garden is, of course, to decide how you intend to use your outside space. Mistakes are far more obvious in a small area so it is crucial to plot the dimensions of your property accurately, as well as the hard surfacing, garden furniture, accessories and the plants you intend to grow. There is nothing more rewarding than a garden that flourishes without having to be constantly tamed.

SHAPING THE GARDEN

Geometric shapes lend themselves to small areas as they do not encroach on limited space as much as informal, flowing lines tend to do. Rectangles, squares, octagonals and circles are exciting shapes with which to experiment and can be combined to create a truly stunning effect. To create an illusion of space, place hard surfaces on the diagonal at 45° to the building.

VERTICAL GARDENING

Vertical gardening offers the ideal solution when working with limited space. You will find a myriad of ideas in magazines, the internet and at garden shows on how to maximise space by planting in raised beds, stacked containers, individual planters suspended on trellis panels or freestanding planter boxes with a wire support frame.

SOOTHING WATER

This story is from the June 2017 edition of The Gardener.

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This story is from the June 2017 edition of The Gardener.

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