Necessity is the mother of ingenuity. When faced with awkward or small spaces a gardeners creative ingenuity kicks in to accomplish natural beauty regardless of the confines of the space to work with. Planting small spaces has even become trendy to keep cost down, ensure low maintenance and achieve a more private cozy space to enjoy. There are numerous sizes and space shapes when considering small gardening but there are just a few common guidelines you will want to follow no matter the space.
1) Keep it Simple – Have a single focus or goal in mind (Ex: privacy, shade, relax area, or breakfast nook) and stick to it when planning. This includes the different elements that make up your garden. (colors, lines, structures, & accents)
2) Less is More – When working with small areas impact is easier to achieve with less colors, fewer structures or containers, and a minimum amount of plants. 1-3 plants will achieve the same look in a small deck garden as 5-10 plants in a large landscape bed. Planting too many varieties, numbers or trying to pack in every accent you like will quickly overwhelm the garden space.
3) Think Practical and Multifunctional – You want to make the most use of the space you have so use elements that can work for you in more than one facet. Use a small table that can double as storage or use a vertical planter that can double as screen.
Whatever the goal, enjoy the process of creating your very own space, whatever its size!
