how do i get more space in my garden

5 Ways to Maximize the Space in Your Garden

• Mix Up Your Garden with Color. In a home, people will often tell you that light colors like white can help a space to appear bigger.
• Look for New Ways to Grow. You don’t just have to make use of the floor space in a garden, you can enjoy extra freedom by growing upwards too.
• Play with Scale. ...
• Try Raised Garden Beds. ...
• Work with Geometric Design. ...

Full Answer

How much space do you need for a vegetable garden?

If you plan on using a rectangular bed layout rather than a traditional row layout, use the upper end of each between the plant spacing for your chosen vegetable. This spacing chart is not intended to to be used with square foot gardening, as this kind of gardening is more intensive. 40″ (1 m.)

How can I make a small garden feel bigger?

Finding the biggest and best garden seating ideas can still be done in a small space – and adding a little comfort factor is a surefire way to make a small garden feel bigger. 24. Bring the heat with a fire pit

How do you make an outdoor living space look bigger?

25. Add an element of privacy with curtains Trick the eye with curtains and create an outdoor living space which although tiny, looks larger than life. Plus, you'll enjoy a little more privacy too in your sacred small garden.

How to grow plants in a small garden on a budget?

When you're gardening in a small space on a budget, propagating plants from seeds or cuttings is a good place to start. It is far cheaper than buying small plants and satisfying too, as you watch the young plants that you’ve nurtured grow. You can also collect your own seeds from existing plants in your garden and increase your stock for free.

How do you save space in a small garden?

0:218:103 Easy Ways to Save Space Using Vertical Gardening - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTowers are an excellent way of supporting plants that would want to collapse under their own weight.MoreTowers are an excellent way of supporting plants that would want to collapse under their own weight.

How do I create different areas in a small garden?

Divide your garden into sections, using bamboo screens, trellis or walls of foliage and decorate each area with different plants and garden furniture. These are perfect for hiding small seating areas and comfy garden getaways.

How can I make my garden look good with no money?

42 cheap garden ideas to smarten up your plot. ... Repurpose old wooden crates to make stylish shelves. ... Use old jars as mini planters. ... Try DIY terracotta candle holders. ... Create a cool, industrial-style aesthetic with oversized planters. ... Make an upcycled hanging planter. ... Guide the way with a cute garden sign. ... Glow up your shed.More items...•

How do you plan a garden layout?

Arrange vegetables in a way that makes the most efficient use of space and light. Group tall vegetables such as okra, corn and tomatoes together on the north side of the garden where they won't shade shorter vegetables such as bush beans. Also, group vegetables according to maturity.

Why does my garden take up less space?

Your garden will take up less space due to the efficient use of every square foot of garden space.

Why is spacing important for plants?

The right plant spacing will: Help to reduce competition for the sunlight that is vital to growth . Help to conserve water by keeping the soil around the plants shaded.

Why do we plant in rows?

The traditional way to plant a garden has been to plant each type of vegetable in long rows. You might think this is a good thing, but there are a couple of very good reasons why this may not always be the best choice: 1 Waste of space: No matter how you plant your rows, you will always end up with a lot of wasted space between each row. 2 More maintenance: Not only do you have to weed between the plants, you also have to weed the spaces between the rows, making more work than necessary. 3 More water consumption: No matter what type of plant spacing you use, you end up watering the space between the rows. This wastes a lot of water. 4 Not all plants can be put in rows next to each other for reasons such as shade and room to spread out.

How to keep weeds from growing in my garden?

You can also use landscaping fabric to prevent weed from growing.

Why is it important to plant plants close together?

If there is one thing I have learned over the years, it is that intensive gardening, or planting close together has a number of advantages. It will allow you to maximize the productivity of every inch of available garden. When your plant spacing is very close, you leave very little room for weeds to grow.

What is the most important thing to know when planting a garden?

One of the most important things you must understand when planting a garden is that different vegetables require different amounts of room to grow. The possibilities are virtually endless as are the spacing calculations.

Why do plants need shade?

Shade may help to conserve water during the heat of the day, but if you plant everything too closely together , the plants will end up fighting for any available water. Ultimately, you have to come up with a perfect balance between spacing and how much water you can afford to use to keep your plants healthy.

How to make your garden private?

Make your landscape more of a personal retreat by adding elements that give you privacy. Try these easy ways of creating your own private garden. The most obvious -- and fastest -- way of creating privacy is to put up a fence. Fences help keep your neighbors from seeing into your yard. They also provide a sense of enclosure and safety, ...

How to keep shrubs looking good?

Here's a hint: If you shear your shrubs, keep them looking good for years by ensuring the bottom of the shrub is wider than the top.

Why are berms good for rock gardens?

A berm is also good for highlighting smaller plants, as it can bring them to eye level. Because of their sloping sides, berms drain better than flat beds, so they're well-suited for rock garden plants and any species that prefer dry soil.

What do tidy vines do to lattice panels?

Tidy vines will give the lattice panels extra interest -- and help them feel integrated into the landscape.

How to make a sound curtain between the street and yard?

Plant trees and shrubs on berms to form a useful physical and sound curtain between the street and yard. Include rocks and stones to give the mound stability.

What to do with a fence that is too stark?

If a fence is too stark, grow a hedge. There are shrub varieties perfect for using as hedges for every region. For a natural look, mix it up a little and combine a variety of shrubs. Don't be afraid to mix in a small tree or two for extra height, color, and texture.

Can a pergola block out a yard?

Pergolas. While a pergola probably won't block out your entire yard, it's a great solution for adding privacy to a smaller space. A vine-covered pergola creates a private, shady nook underneath -- perfect for a secluded bench or patio. A pergola also adds year-round structure to the landscape.

How to make a small garden feel bigger?

Where possible, use reflective and light-coloured materials as they will make the space feel larger. The same goes for plants: choose light, bright colours and your small garden will feel larger.

How to make a garden wider than long?

Gardens that are wider than they are long can be tackled in exactly the same way, so try to pull the eye across the space rather than allowing it to simply focus on the back boundary. This trick is particularly effective with short-but-wide gardens that slope down to the home where the rear boundary is all too obvious and may well appear to ‘loom’ overhead. Also, position larger elements – plants, boulders and pots, for example – in the foreground, with smaller ones in the background. As the distance between them appears longer, this creates an illusion of depth.

How to hide a mirror?

Always try to hide the mirror’s edges to further enhance the illusion. Close-knit trelliswork fixed tight to the wall around the outside of the mirror works well — for uniformity, perhaps cover the rest of the wall with it, too. Alternatively, train climbers up to do this job; but you will have to wait a while for them to grow to a suitable size. For safety, acrylic mirrors are preferable to glass.

How to keep things interesting in a small garden?

To keep things interesting, go for seasonal combinations, so that you have at least three different flowering species adding colour to your garden at any given time.

What are some good things to put in a gloomy room?

In tiny, enclosed areas, light-coloured paint isn’t the only option for brigtening things up — surfaces that reflect light, such as sparkly granite and quartzite, are more appropriate than dark blue-black slate or limestone. Polished steel pots and plants with glossy foliage, such as the Japanese aralia and hart’s tongue fern, will also help bring in a little light. Glass tables and balustrades are reflective, too, and being translucent, don’t take up much room visually.

How to hide what's on the other side of a garden?

Dividing a garden – regardless of its shape – into a series of rooms using planting, wooden trellis or freestanding walls will help to hide what’s on the other side of them. This obscures the actual size of the space, making the whole area feel much larger. If the garden isn’t all revealed at once, this creates a strong sense of anticipation, too — piquing curiosity about what lies beyond.

What is the best wood for a small garden?

A hardwearing wood such as teak or eucalyptus will be your best bet – rattan is usually too delicate unless it's a weatherproof synthetic version, and metal will rust.

What to do with furniture in a small garden?

Instead of large benches or bulky seating, go for compact options like a bistro table set and chairs.

How to make a secret garden?

Create your very own secret garden with hidden areas and cosy hideaways. Divide your garden into sections, using bamboo screens, trellis or walls of foliage and decorate each area with different plants and garden furniture. These are perfect for hiding small seating areas and comfy garden getaways.

What color plants make a garden look bigger?

Brightly coloured plants and features can make a compact space appear lighter and bigger. Golden or light-yellow colours, like Rudbeckia hirta ‘Irish Eyes’ or Alyssum montanum, are perfect for brightening up dark patches. These bright displays of foliage and shrubs will grace your garden with glorious light.

How to create a secluded seating area?

Install arches and pergolas to create a secluded seating area, and cover them with climbers.

What colors make a space feel more intimate?

As a general rule, hot colours, like reds and dark yellows make a space feel more intimate. Cool colours like light-purples, whites and blues recede the field of vision, making a small space feel larger. 6. Attract wildlife.

How to attract wildlife to a hive?

Attract more wildlife by planting their favourite flowers, which will please bees and butterflies and give you lots of colour. It will soon be a hive of activity and great fun for kids!

What to put in a garden to help with birds?

Bird boxes, feeding stations, roosting pouches and insect hotels will help bring your garden to life with exciting bird and insect activity. Garden nature can thrive even in the smallest gardens, so make space for wildlife in your garden design.

How to grow vegetables in a raised bed?

Using the block-style layout for a rasied vegetable bed as recommended by the Colorado State University Extension, the most common vegetables are planted in a grid pattern across the bed. Space measurements are suggested but can be amended once you determine if plants can be grown even more closely together or as the soil quality improves. Allow 2- to 3-inch spaces for carrots, bunching or green onions and radishes. Beets, garlic, leeks, spinach, onions and turnips need 4 to 6 inches of space between them on all sides, while celery, leaf lettuce and Swiss chard require 7- to 9-inch areas. Allow 10 to 12 inches on all sides between head lettuces. Corn does best in blocks for pollination purposes and should be planted about 12 inches apart in raised bed blocks or rows. Tomato plants require 12 inches of space on all sides, while peppers, potatoes and cabbages need roughly 15 to 18 inches of space.

How much space do tomatoes need?

Tomato plants require 12 inches of space on all sides, while peppers, potatoes and cabbages need roughly 15 to 18 inches of space.

How to broadcast seeds in raised garden?

The seeds of vegetables that are designed to be harvested before they get too large can also be broadcast. They include radishes, spring onions and beets if grown primarily for their tops. Broadcast seeds are scattered with an eye toward spacing them roughly 1/2 inch or just far enough apart so that they can germinate and develop. Thinning the plants as they reach usable size provides more space for the others to continue growing, a method that works well with spinach intended for use as small tender spring greens, as in a mesclun mix.

What crops can be planted in raised garden beds?

This method works well with leafy crops such as spinach, chard, lettuces and herbs.

How much space between lettuce and onions?

Beets, garlic, leeks, spinach, onions and turnips need 4 to 6 inches of space between them on all sides, while celery, leaf lettuce and Swiss chard require 7- to 9-inch areas. Allow 10 to 12 inches on all sides between head lettuces.

Why do you need a minimum distance for bush beans?

Other crops, such as bush beans and other low-growing vegetables, need a minimum standard distance so as not to crowd each other out and deplete the soil too quickly of the nutrients they all need.

Is a raised garden a condensed garden?

A raised garden might be classified as condensed gardening, as most vegetables can be planted more closely together, thereby maximizing available space and productivity. In a raised garden bed, standard recommended planting distances that would apply in a conventional garden can be reduced by as much as half or even more, ...

How Much Space Does It Take?

If you have limited space, consider the vegetables you can easily purchase fresh in your area and the vegetables you truly love but can't purchase locally. 1

What is container gardening?

As with ornamental container gardening, vegetable container gardening is a way to control the soil, sun, and growing conditions of your edible plants.

What can I plant next to tomatoes?

Companion planting is often touted for the benefit of reducing pest infestations, but it also serves to conserve space. Shade-tolerant plants benefit from being planted next to taller crops. Basil likes a respite from the hot afternoon sun and does well next to tomatoes. Lettuce will keep producing all summer if shaded by almost any taller plant. Early harvested vegetables, such as spinach, radishes, and peas, can be planted with slower-growing crops such as broccoli or peppers that will not take over the space until the spring-harvested vegetables have been harvested. 3

What is a small vegetable plot?

The Small Vegetable Plot. Vegetable gardening used to be the poor relation of ornamental flower gardens. Perennial borders reigned, and large, messy vegetable gardens were hidden in the backyard, usually the domain of the man of the house. Vegetable gardens were about producing food, not beauty. Featured Video.

What is succession planting?

Succession planting means reseeding quick-growing crops every two to three weeks during the growing season. It is especially useful with crops such as beans, zucchini, and lettuce that tend to exhaust themselves producing so much. By planting in succession, you will produce enough food for your family's appetite, and you'll have it all summer, not all at once.

How much sun do vegetables need?

Sun: Vegetables need at least six to eight hours of direct sun each day. Without sun, the fruits will not ripen, and the plants will be stressed.

Why do you rotate vegetables?

Rotating your vegetable crops to grow in different areas of the garden each year reduces fungal diseases and insect pests that overwinter in the soil. However, crop rotation isn't possible in small vegetable gardens. In a small garden, you must be vigilant not to let pest and disease problems become rampant.

How can I make my garden look nice, cheaply?

There is so much you can do to transform your garden on a budget. Planting is by far the cheapest and easiest way to add colour and interest, and then it's all about getting creative and more hands-on with the rest of your outdoor space.

How to create a zone in a garden?

If your garden layout is lacking in definition, but you can't afford expensive 'zoning' using multiple materials and advanced landscaping, you can quickly – and cheaply – create zones in your garden by installing lawn edging around your borders and/or flower beds. Recycled lawn edging that reuses rubber tires, or plastic edging are the cheapest options, but even using fancier, real stone lawn edging options are still cheaper than a whole garden redesign.

What perennials are good for a garden border?

Herbaceous perennials such as lavender and rosemary do especially well in garden borders, year after year. 7. Make a planting table with old pallets. (Image credit: Future / Brent Darby) Use this pallet converted into a table as a planting table or to display a collection of pots planted out with bright blooms.

What can a garden designer do?

An experienced garden designer can save you time and money in the long term, helping with everything from planning the entire garden and managing contractors, to guidance on where best to proportion your budget.

How to save money on tools?

By paying for good quality tools in the first place, you can save more money overall and keep to the same tools for years to come. Kilpatrick, says, 'Using the right tools for the job will save you time and money. Always use sharpened tools in good condition and, if you are planning to cut wood by hand, buy a brand-new handsaw. You will find it much easier to cut with a new saw. If you need specialist tools, hire them. Mixing mortar and concrete by hand is time-consuming and extremely hard work. You can easily hire a cement mixer for a few days at a very low cost. For long runs of fencing, consider hiring a nail gun.'

How to decorate a garden with flowers?

1. Group small pots full of bright flowers. (Image credit: Farrow & Ball) Planting colourful flowers in pots and containers is a really budget-friendly way to decorate a garden. Flowers are inexpensive, decorative and are often the first thing that guests are drawn to.

Is it better to grow fruit from seed or from a pot?

This is even more applicable when growing your own fruit and veg, as growing from seed is much more cost-effective and higher yielding than buying lots of starter pots from garden centres. Horticulture and landscaping lecturer Julie Kilpatrick, says, 'It can be very tempting to go to the local garden centre and buy the larger, more mature, plants so you get an instant effect. Young plants are cheaper and grow reasonably fast with the right care. They also adapt far quicker to the environmental conditions specific to your garden. Mature plants look great in the short-term but they might take so long to settle that younger plants will catch up and may even overtake them.'

How to maximize space in garden beds?

Within the garden beds, place plants in rows or a grid pattern. The goal is minimize walkways and maximize growing space. You only add fertilizer and soil amendments to the planting area, which saves time and money. Work with companion plants to attract beneficial insects and improve yields.

What to do with limited space in yard?

What if you have a yard with limited growing space? Consider grow bags or containers to start your garden. Self-watering containersare a lot more forgiving than terracotta flower pots, which tend to dry out quickly.

How to learn which plants grow best?

To learn which plants grow best directly seeded in the garden and which plants are better as transplants , visit the seed starting calendar. If you want to grow specific varieties, especially heirloom varieties, you'll probably need to grow your own transplants from seed. Starting your own transplants is a great way to save money, too.

How to transplant a plant?

If you’re not ready to tackle growing transplants for your garden, here are some tips to help you spot the best plants at the nursery: 1 Look for pots that are roughly equal in size to the plant. Big plants in tiny pots are more likely to be root bound (with roots tangled and growing in circles inside the pot) and suffer from transplant shock when planted in the garden. 2 Watch for signs of stress such as insect damage or yellow leaves. Many stores now set up seasonal plant sales in their parking lots. Even with regular watering, baking asphalt is hard on seedlings. 3 Ask whether or not your plants or seeds were treated or sprayed with potentially harmful chemicals such as neonicotinoid pesticides. Pollinators are critical for fruit set in the garden, so you don’t want to buy plants that may harm them.

What is the best way to start a garden?

Consider grow bags or containers to start your garden. Self-watering containers are a lot more forgiving than terracotta flower pots, which tend to dry out quickly. GreenStalk vertical planters are a great option to pack a lot of growing space into a small footprint.

How long should a garden bed be?

Beds should be 3 to 4 feet across – narrow enough that you can reach the center from either side. Beds should be roughly 10 feet long or less, so you’re not tempted to step into the bed and compact the ground. Within the garden beds, place plants in rows or a grid pattern.

What is the most common type of raised garden bed?

Rectangular or square beds are the most common, but you’re only limited by your imagination and building skills. Most raised bed kits are rectangular, but you can also plant your garden in found items like old livestock water tanks or sections of drain pipe.