11 Ways to Max the Benefits of a Small Outdoor Space
Urban living in Australia means we need to make the most of our outdoor spaces. Check these mini gardens for gems of inspiration
Forget grand gardens, expansive rolling hills and giant country homesteads. A serene or functional garden can fit in any type of space. Here are average living spaces with gardens that are anything but average. They may be tiny and spartan, but they are fascinating. Care to take a look?
2. Add dimension
Terracing is one of the greatest tools in a small space. It allows the gardener to add new soil in raised beds on a concrete base, gives varying light to different types of plants and adds dimension to a small backyard. Adding terraces visually expands a small plot into distinct, separate spaces.
Terracing is one of the greatest tools in a small space. It allows the gardener to add new soil in raised beds on a concrete base, gives varying light to different types of plants and adds dimension to a small backyard. Adding terraces visually expands a small plot into distinct, separate spaces.
3. Mix it up to create interest
This space may be small, but it lives large with a seating area, a charming water feature and a multitude of plantings. Water gives a sense of movement, and the lime-colour plants add brightness to a shady corner.
This space may be small, but it lives large with a seating area, a charming water feature and a multitude of plantings. Water gives a sense of movement, and the lime-colour plants add brightness to a shady corner.
4. Cultivate a hobby
A bonsai garden is a great option for a deck. The plants grow very slowly and look charming in a shelved display. The best part? This entire garden takes up only a metre or so.
A bonsai garden is a great option for a deck. The plants grow very slowly and look charming in a shelved display. The best part? This entire garden takes up only a metre or so.
5. Get potting in a big way
Do you have an open space without soil? Do you live in an apartment with plenty of hardscaping but no available planting space? Think pots, and think big pots. You can plant just about anything if the pot is big enough (at least 40cm across), including small fruit trees and other edibles. Choose a single finish to unify the pots as a garden.
Do you have an open space without soil? Do you live in an apartment with plenty of hardscaping but no available planting space? Think pots, and think big pots. You can plant just about anything if the pot is big enough (at least 40cm across), including small fruit trees and other edibles. Choose a single finish to unify the pots as a garden.
7. Bunch your plantings
Is the cottage look more your style? Cottage gardens are perfect in a small space. Cluster 10 to 15 plants around your doorstep for a charming look. Go for plants with fragrance to create an experience every time you come home. Plants that work well in a cottage garden like this include lavender, rosemary and rose.
Is the cottage look more your style? Cottage gardens are perfect in a small space. Cluster 10 to 15 plants around your doorstep for a charming look. Go for plants with fragrance to create an experience every time you come home. Plants that work well in a cottage garden like this include lavender, rosemary and rose.
8. Think tall
Another classic cottage plant is the charming hollyhock. Situate this plant in the back of a small border to add height to your garden. When you grow hollyhocks from seed, expect to see your first blooms in the second year.
Another classic cottage plant is the charming hollyhock. Situate this plant in the back of a small border to add height to your garden. When you grow hollyhocks from seed, expect to see your first blooms in the second year.
9. Grown your own vegies
Perhaps you want to use your outdoor space to grow edibles. Grow garden vegies and herbs in a raised bed. The square-metre gardening system allows you to grow the most produce in the smallest amount of space.
Perhaps you want to use your outdoor space to grow edibles. Grow garden vegies and herbs in a raised bed. The square-metre gardening system allows you to grow the most produce in the smallest amount of space.
10. Grow overhead
Think up when you are in a small space. Trellises, arbors and pergolas are great for creating more growing space.
Think up when you are in a small space. Trellises, arbors and pergolas are great for creating more growing space.
11. Use every available space
You can have a beautiful garden in a small suburban backyard, a townhouse deck, a rooftop garden or a front porch. Grow vertically, consider large pots and break the space up into rooms to make your garden special.
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU…
Please share your small garden solutions, tricks, tips and photos in the comments section below.
You can have a beautiful garden in a small suburban backyard, a townhouse deck, a rooftop garden or a front porch. Grow vertically, consider large pots and break the space up into rooms to make your garden special.
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU…
Please share your small garden solutions, tricks, tips and photos in the comments section below.
Fences, gates and other structures can break up a smaller backyard into sections. This gives the garden a sense of being larger and allows you to create different experiences within one space.