Ways to maximize a small garden
Sometimes you may not find enough time to dedicate to your garden. But having a small garden will be convenient for you as it wouldn’t need much attention as a big one. Here’s how you could make the maximum out of your garden: n Pile on pots : green up your patio or deck with oversized terracotta or plastic planters overflowing with anything from tomatoes to wild flowers. n Mix n’ match herbs : Eye-catching as well as edible, herbs bunched together on a table transforms a small patch of porch into hardworking acreage. Burgundy coleus in a timeworn metal tub provides a colorful counterpoint.
Fill a Birdbath : Hardy succulents, which stow water in their stems and leaves, thrive in a shallow birdbath perch. Pebbles — to hold more moisture in the soil — add to the desert-landscape look.
Climb a wall : Liven up a plain patio wall with a sun-seeking climber, like bougainvillea — the twining vertical vines balance the bushiness below. A simple stake in the dirt is all the trellis you’ll need.
Mix in texture : To create contrast and visual vibrancy, situate curvaceous containers on stairs and fill with interestingly shaped plants, from scallopleafed geraniums to spiky, serrated agave. Or, try combining vertical foliage with one that will spill over the sides to double up on varieties.
Pocket plants : Hang an old canvas or over-thedoor shoe organizer on a fence or wall, then fill the compartments with dirt and wispy ferns or vines.
Go outside : For a fast way to perk up a porch, relocate pots of lush flowers from indoors to out. With
a limited palette, like the pink and white blooms here, the collection feels cohesive, not chaotic. n Pretty up a pallet : Attach clay pots to a pallet with nails and stainless steel cable ties for a living art display that keeps your rosemary and basil at the ready.
Go Mini : Terrariums look exotic and high maintenance but they are one of the easiest horticulture projects to make and maintain.
Raise beds : For backyards with poor (or nonexistent) soil, turn to raised beds for a little help. These simple planters give veggies a little boost that can result in magnificent results. Bonus: Less bending as you garden. n Build a green screen : Covered with English ivy, a frill-free chain-link fence acts as a natural privacy barrier to shield a suburban garden from view.
Transport a bucket : The handle on this vintage toolbox makes relocating succulents to a sunnier spot a snap. n Step it up : Turn a wooden ladder into a space-saving stand for flowers, veggies, and herbs with just a few boards and a coat of paint.
Don’t fight the shade : In shady spots, paving over the plot with no-fuss stone makes more sense than growing a patchy lawn. For lush foliage, hostas and dwarf oak leaf hydrangea thrive with minimal sun.