Gardening is always creative, but there’s something truly special about getting the most from a small garden space. Limitations fuel creativity, and finding the best ways to express yourself in a smaller garden can be a lot of fun. Also, it gives you a space that is uniquely yours, designed to make you happy and show off your ideas. Garden design for small spaces might seem tricky, but if we remember a few basic principles and a couple of design tricks we can make gardening magic happen even in the smallest spaces. Let’s dig in!
Basics of Small Garden Design
The first step in small garden design is to take some time and get to know your gardening space. Every space has its own needs and its own possibilities, so we find it best to look at the space and its features first before developing a garden concept. If you have a firm idea of what you want and are determined to make it happen in the space you have, that’s great! But at least take some time to let the space speak to you and see what hidden potential or possibility it might have. You might be surprised at the directions it takes you and what you discover and create along the way.
Your imagination can run wild with step two: develop your vision for your garden. This can be anything that your space allows: a small decorative garden on a windowsill, a patio container garden focused on succulents, a kitchen herb garden, a larger veggie producing space, and so much more. You’ll need to take into account the amount of sun your space gets, how much space you have and its layout, and the ways in which you want to use your garden—we always recommend leaving some sitting/gathering space if possible for when you want to just relax in or near your garden. Even pulling a chair up to the windowsill and enjoying your indoor plants can be a welcome break from an increasingly crazy world.
Now the fun begins: pick the plants you want and then design a layout for your garden. We’re putting these two steps together as they do go hand in hand: the plants you want shape your layout and the layout space available in part dictates the plants you can have. Indoor gardens, patio gardens, and outdoor landscaping all have their own needs, so you’ll want to balance all factors of garden design in choosing your plants and their layout. With a little creativity you can combine the plants, the colors, and the features you want in some version. And again, let yourself be surprised along the way; you’ll have new ideas and new insights as things progress.
Now it’s time to dig in, get your hands dirty, and build the garden. This can happen all at once or in stages, depending on what works best for you and your garden space. We do recommend starting from the back of your space and working outward if possible just so you’re not stepping over/around your previous plantings, but other than that use some common sense and be as gentle with yourself, your soil, and your plants as you can. Remember: your plants may change or evolve as you start to create your garden, and that’s OK! Gardening is always an experiment and a learning process, so roll with it and let yourself learn as you go.
When the garden is (mostly) installed—no garden is ever really complete—you’ll have time to clean up a bit and then take stock. Clear up the debris, the spilled soil, the plant trimmings, and any other waste, dispose of it appropriately, water your plants if they need it, and then . . . relax. Take a moment with the beverage of your choice and just enjoy what you’ve done. Think about what you might like to change, what you learned along the way, and maybe take a few notes in your garden journal. Every garden is a learning process and every garden teaches us something, each and every season. Gardening never really ends, and it’s perfectly normal to “finish” your garden and then have a rush of ideas you’d like to implement, change, or explore.
Small Space Gardening is Magical
There’s something really special about small gardens. Folks create beautiful spaces in apartments, condos, small houses, and dorm rooms and each of them is an expression of their creators and a celebration of the plants involved. If you have a small space of whatever kind, we hope you’ll explore the possibilities of a garden for yourself. If you have questions to ask or experiences to share, please reach out via email or in the comments—Gardzen is all about community and we love to hear from you!
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