How To Landscape A Small Garden
For most of us who live in apartments, townhouses and units in the inner city and suburbs close to
the city, don’t always have the luxury of a big garden space. A typical urban garden is usually small
in size and enclosed by walls, hedges, fences or simply some plants. However with a little
creativity, smart designing and astute landscaping, small gardens can also make a big impact.just
like the insights for landscaping small gardens and backyard soulful and inviting sanctuaries you
see below.
Having a big backyard is simply amazing. There are numerous things you can do with it like adding
various plants and trees. If you wish, you can even add a pool, altogether with pumps and other
equipment. Unfortunately, not everyone is as lucky to have so much space.
Some people are rather limited when it comes to their backyard. However, this doesn’t mean you
should despair. It is more challenging arranging a small backyard than a large one and it means that
you will require to think creatively
Asking a professional landscape architect for advice can often be the best option. Sometimes,
homeowners start tinkering with their backyards only to discover that they have perhaps bitten off
more than they can chew. You might even invest some money in it only to discover that your
solution was not as great as you initially thought or that the workload of creating a pretty and well
designed outdoor space is more than you initially anticipated.
Therefore, before taking on the planning and designing yourself, ask a friend with green thumbs and
gardening experience for advice. This may be a good idea before you start putting your own ideas
into practice. Also, this can save you money as professional consultation can be expensive.
Small garden basics
Small gardens can feel quite claustrophobic. No matter what you do with it, you will probably want
to have more plants or a bigger deck or a larger table. The best way to tackle the issue is to remove
the lawn and plants to observe the space ‘naked’. However, this may not always be feasible.
Also, you have to address the issue of your neighbours. What do I mean by that? A garden is a
private sanctuary where you can relax and entertain with family and friends. Think about planting a
tall hedge or a decorative screen. This will instantly make the space seem more cosy
Pathway
To create a well planned garden, it is important to have good flow i.e. a pathway. The pathway
should end on a patch of concrete or deck or maybe even some lush but well maintained lawn, an
ideal place to put your garden table. And here is where most homeowners make a mistake. They
wish to have more than they bargained for rather than being realistic. Sometimes, even a table can
be a luxury depending on the limited dimensions of your garden. Nevertheless, I have to say that the
garden is not the same without one. There is nothing better than relaxing in an inviting backyard,
surrounded by pretty plants. So try and be creative and think of smart seating solutions
Clean-up
Many people often also use their gardens as storage spaces. You can find pots, hoses, lawnmowers
and other miscellaneous things lying around. This can significantly reduce your available space
making the garden feel even more tight. Make sure to store all the tools away. Whether it’s a
basement, shed or garage, there is always some space for storing equipment
Plants
Lastly, we have to address what actually makes a garden – plants and flowers. However,
let’s be realistic. Mature trees can overwhelm small gardens. Yes, you can definitely plant
a large tree but then, you will have to relinquish other plants. Most people are indecisive at
this point. They want both a tree and mature plants or they want several different flowers in
their garden. This can be overkill. Overdoing it can sometimes make the garden feel like a
hot mess. Stick with minimalism and you will be able to manage your small garden without
any hassles.
Landscaping a small garden although challenging can be creatively satisfying. Grouping
plants of various heights can create visual interest and appeal and a beautiful earthy
canvas to your small outdoor space. For a backyard that is spatially challenged, vertical
green walls are the smartest solution. For gardens that are difficult to plant trees in, well
maintained topiary planters that emulate trees or bamboo plants in planter boxes can be
the alternate design solution. The trick is to create a smart yet well landscaped space that
is low on maintenance and big on design.
Do you have a small garden? How have you landscaped it? Share with us in the
comments below
