Small Garden Designs

Small gardens designs are used in apartment’s balconies, townhouses patios and courtyards.  Many designers feel that they are limited to space, so they are limited to design.  This is not true. 

Small gardens can be a place of wonder and can open right up with a great plan, some concept of illusion and depth is needed, but it is not difficult.

Truthfully there is no reason why a small garden design can’t be just as attractive as the next garden.  Small gardens have a lot going for them, they are easier to maintain, and take less time.  A well panned small garden can be kept with mulch easily has limiting weeding, and other chores, such as the spraying of herbicides.

This style of garden is becoming more common as our space becomes limited in the city and urban areas.  The small garden is also easy to design, as it only needs a minimum amount of materials and tools.   The basic materials that you will need for your small garden designs are wood, stone, soil, compost, mulch, manures and water.   The tools that you will also need are a small shovel, trowel, mini wheelbarrow and a good pair of quality secateurs. 

If you do decide to become a full fledged miniature gardener you may also need a small garden shed and possibly a mini greenhouse.

The mini greenhouse is used to raise seedlings, and give sick plants a rest and rejuvenate.

The Size, Layout, and some handy ideas!

The size and layouts of the garden design will be dictated by the spaces available. It is recommended that you plant to scale by starting off with a few small trees and focal points.  This will decide the size and scale. The you can add small shrubs, ferns, herbs, and container plants to your garden design.  You may also want to consider dwarf citrus trees and a passionfruit vine as screen to protect your garden from peering eyes and you give you the privacy you require.  Grafted passionfruit vines can be purchased at your local nursery.

Small garden designs, which one?

There are many designs that can be chosen to suit style such as Asian, traditional, herbal, permaculture, container, and the favourite of many, the miniature water garden.  Try not to mix themes as this tends to make the garden look messy, and unorganised.  There are two that you can mix though, the water garden with any of the above. 

Tip:  In limited spaces consider painting walls with reflective flat white paint to reflect the light and retain heat.  This method is also used in temperate areas to grow tropical plants and fruits.

Courtyard garden design

Courtyard gardens are usually small and enclosed areas that are designed for small garden recreation such as reading the newspaper, and just sitting back to relax.  Many like to use their courtyard garden as a centre piece for their garden plant collection.  Many gardeners usually collect along one species line such as succulents and cacti. Others may choose tropical species such as orchids, ferns, miniature palms or even the ever majestic bonsai.

The vegetable garden design

This vegetable design can also be a hobby and a fantastic way to save some of your hard earned dollars.  Containers can be utilised in the small space of your courtyard, patio or veranda and grow amazing amounts of food.

Plant dwarf species that are designed for container gardening, many nurseries stock this type of seedling, and it can also be purchased as seed online, or in the shops.

Always use a quality grade potting medium and mix in a couple of handfuls of compost to give the plants a boost of nutrition and growth.  They will love you for it.  Also recommended is to purchase a liquid fertilizer with a seaweed base, to add those extra minerals the plants are searching for.

References

Small Garden Designs

Small Garden Designs part two