Become an Urban (or Suburban) Small Space Gardener this Spring

If you have a tiny yard or no yard at all, it can feel daunting to think about adding a garden to your space. The truth is, you can have a successful garden with little or no outdoor space. The world of urban gardening has opened up tremendously in recent years. Whether you’re choosing to do a vegetable garden or hope to grow pretty flowers, there are tons of fabulous ideas for urban gardeners looking to start their own city oasis.

Take a few of these fabulous tips to bring life and beauty to your space!

• Map Out a Plan- Any landscaping needs to start with a plan. Your space doesn’t need a professional designer, but a simple hand-drawn map can give you an idea of how to best maximize limited space. Think logically and consider how you use the space before making the first purchases.

• Go Vertical- Think in terms of height for your urban oasis. A free wall could be filled with potted plants for a stunning effect that uses very little horizontal square footage. Also, consider purchasing plants that can be planted in a tiered container to double or triple your total amount of crops.

• Tackle a Terrarium- If you want to give your indoor space a Secret Garden atmosphere, terrariums can create magical spaces housing lush plants with minimal upkeep.

• Window Boxes Are Your Friend- If you’re able to add window boxes, you can creatively add several more plants in a space that is already in use.

• Container Veggies- If you don’t have a yard, you can still grow crops for food. Consider a container garden for vegetables, herbs, and fruit plants this spring and summer! Many times these can thrive even better than comparable plants in the ground. Do some research to find the best plants for your space.

• Add Flavor with Herbs- Herbs take up very little space and also add a wallop of flavor to your dishes! You can grow herbs indoors and out easily. These are a great entrance into gardening food plants. Plus, everyone loves a homemade pizza with delicious fresh basil!

• Go for Layers- Think about adding differing heights, textures, and scale throughout your urban garden. You may want your urban garden to provide privacy or sound protection. Layering heights and volume can create a lush and full garden landscape that makes your balcony or patio feel like an oasis.

• Use Creative Planters- Your garden doesn’t have to be filled with hardware store containers. Think creatively to create art pieces that happen to also contain plants in them. Vintage pots, rustic furniture, or metal buckets can make for unique planters in your garden.

• Create Container Gardens for Easy Rearranging- Most likely you’ll need to use containers in an urban garden. Choose small containers on wheels or casters to make rearranging simple and to work with your space as needed.  

• Don’t be Afraid of Height- Sometimes gardeners think their small space won’t work with tall plants or potted trees. Height will make your space feel more substantial and draw the eye upwards. It’s a good idea to add height to your garden for a myriad of reasons other than just great design, the soundproofing and privacy from taller plants can’t be beaten.

• Compost Your Food Scraps for a Healthy Garden- Are you composting? Compost is the best way to create incredibly nutrient rich soil for your garden. There are tons of small space (and no smell) options for creating compost in urban settings. Finally, stop tossing your scraps and make your garden healthy and happy in the process.

Do you have a garden in a small space? What are your favorite resources for small space gardening, we’d love to hear from you!

Photo Via StockUnlimited.