Think you can't grow a garden in a small backyard space? Think again! These small garden ideas will help you create a cozy backyard space full of flowers and edible plants! From raised gardens, container gardening, and even vertical planting, there are plenty of options to help you grow a garden this summer.
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We are just weeks away from planting our summer vegetable garden. I can't wait! It's crazy to think about how far our garden has come. The first year we started gardening, we had a small container garden. If I remember correctly, we only grew strawberries and a bunch of herbs in pots. We had them lined up along the pathway heading up to our back stairs.
Then, we decided to upgrade to a small raised garden plot in the ground. It served us well for many years and we were able to expand what we grew to include tomatoes, peppers, onions, and radishes. A little over a year ago, we extended our garden. And even though we have way more space to work with, it's still squeezed into a small backyard space.
Making the Most Out of a Small Backyard Garden Space
Our garden is proof that you don't need acres of land to plant on. No matter how big or small your outdoor space is, you can make the most out of what you've got and grow a beautiful, bountiful garden. So if you want to start a garden this summer, but are worried about the amount of space you have, here are some ideas to help you get started this garden season.
Make a Plan
Before you get your shovel out and start digging, plan your space. If you're digging a small garden plot, there are a few things you'll need to factor in like sunlight, space (the amount needed for your garden and also the plants you'll want to grow), and soil quality.
I'm a visual person, so I drew a quick sketch of our new garden space and what I wanted to include in it. We dug our extended garden space once our summer garden season was over so we could feed the soil over the winter. We did so using a cover crop that gets dug under in the spring.
Let's Go to the Greenhouse
Now that you have your garden planned, it's time to start shopping for plants. You can start seeds. But since they take a while - and we're that much closer to the summer gardening season - it's easy to hit your local greenhouse and shop for starter plants.
It's easy to go crazy and buy way more than you actually need (believe me, I know!). So make a list and plant herbs and vegetables that you'll use the most. Depending on the space you'll be planting in, you can also find "patio" varieties. These are compact varieties good for smaller spaces and also pots.
And if you do want to go beyond the basics, try some edible flowers. I'm growing nasturtium for the first time this year. The entire plant is edible!
Get Container-Friendly
If you're living in a space like an apartment and can't grow in a backyard setting, container gardens are still a great way to grow your own fruits, veggies, and flowers. Again, that's totally how we started our gardening journey!
Group pots in different sizes together. You'll need larger pots for plants like tomatoes and peppers, but herbs can be contained in smaller pots. You can even find special pots for strawberries.
Other container options include grow bags, buckets, and tubs. Just make sure whatever container you use has drainage holes drilled into the bottom.
Grow Up!
Looking for more places to grow in your small space? Grow up! Add hanging baskets, deck rail planters, tiered planters, trellises, and vertical wall garden planters to your space. I mainly use my hanging baskets for flowers, but I have seen them used to grow strawberries and tomatoes.
Micro Garden
Okay. So you might not be able to grow veggies in a mini space in your yard. But if you're more of a plant and flower person, you're in luck!
Once we put in our garden extension, I noticed the tiniest dirt edge on one corner of our garden. I've planted hens and chicks in that small space and can't wait to see them fill in!
Set the Vibe
With your garden all set, now it's time to set the vibe. I've painted garden marker rocks to mark our veggie plants, stuck cute garden stakes into pots, set out some concrete garden statues, and created bee baths to set around our yard. But one thing that really pulls the yard and garden together for me is solar lights.
I strung them up around the deck, hung lanterns around the yard, and also hung solar lights around our garden fence. At night, it's so nice to enjoy the glow!
You don't need a lot of space to grow a lot this summer. Make a plan, start with practical plants like veggies you'll use often and flowers for the pollinators, and create a garden space that works for you and your family. Happy gardening!
Do you have a tiny garden space that you love? Share it on social media using the hashtag #holokahome. Don’t forget to tag me @holokahome!
