Small Space Garden Ideas

Crystal RennickeCrystal RennickeUpdated: Apr. 24, 2020
Containers for Small SpacesProven Winners

Transform small space gardens into lush backyards with the right plants and these top ten tips for small space gardening.

  1.  Layering helps make the most of a small yard. Work from ground level upward, filling each layer with plants. Start with ground covers, annuals and perennials, then work up to shrubs, vines and trees.
  2. Plant flowering vines along fences, arbors and trellises for maximum visual impact without eating up lots of precious garden space. Brighten privacy fences with trellises and flat-backed planters.
  3. Mix bulbs with perennials. This provides spring color as the bulbs emerge and summer color when the perennials bloom.
  4. Try a tabletop garden. Select a sturdy table that can hold about 50 pounds, and fill it with pots of flowers, veggies and herbs. Upkeep is minimal, and you’ll save your knees and back.
  5. Containers are a quick and easy way to add flowers anywhere, especially in small spaces. To minimize watering, choose drought-resistant plants and larger pots, which don’t dry out as quickly.
  6. Even the tiniest yard needs trees or evergreens for a sense of structure. Many varieties of dwarf trees are ideal for small landscapes. Check out your local garden center…and make sure a plant marked “dwarf” is truly small enough for your backyard.
  7. Choosing plants that are too big for your garden can make it look even smaller and more crowded. Stick to plants with a compact growth habit. Don’t be fooled because a young plant looks petite. It’s the plant’s mature size that you’ll have to live with.
  8. Make room to relax. No matter how small your garden is, create an area for a bench or a chair or two. After all, gardening isn’t just about planning, planting and maintaining. It’s also about enjoying your hard work and effort!
  9. Make the most of your planting space and minimize watering chores at the same time by placing container plants directly beneath hanging baskets. When you water the pots on top, the overflow will water the ones below.
  10. Tuck tomatoes and peppers among sun-loving flowers, and train sprawling veggies like cucumbers and pole beans to climb up a trellis. Use lettuce as a border plant, or combine several varieties to make a low-growing bed. Think small—compact squares work just as well as long rows.

Originally Published: September 22, 2013