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The small garden problem:
How to turn a nightmare of a tiny overgrown garden, dominated by a shed over run with climbing plants and filled with junk, into a lush haven for you and your family?
Small garden solution: Determine exactly what you have to work with, design your layout, choose your plants and most importantly get the area cleared before!
Small is beautiful!
The best thing about small gardens is that they are often secluded or private, or can be made to be with climbing plants (my personal favourite). They probably won't have grass to cut or flower beds to weed. Most of the planting can be in pots which can be shifted around as you like.
Buried treasure:
Turning out your shed can produce a heap of 'junk' and assorted hoarded wood, ripe for imaginative recycling. An old wooden palette can be set down alongside the shed to make an instant deck area. Poles at each corner with cross bars fixed to them at the top, to create a pergola! If you have a scrambling bush or vine, untangle and tie to a frame for support, to eventually create a green canopy. If you really want to get sensual and relaxed you could introduce a mattress, bells and wind chimes for a calming effect - the perfect place to practice Yoga!
To distract attention from an ugly concrete floor, line the space with big pot plants, this will create a nice feeling in the space and take the eyes away from the floor, also a good talking point.
Do not barricade small areas by choosing upright plants vs spreading plants. You can always trim back your plants if they get a bit big for their roots ;)
Well worn garden tools and even an old barrow from the shed can be lined up in a proud row to create a gallery of garden antiques, put summer bedding plants in pots beneath the climbers and foliage plants.
Plant up containers with plae flowers such as Verbena and Cosmos which has a fluffy fern like foliage which can lighten dark areas.
If you want to create a harmonious contemporary look with your windows then introduce hanging baskets consisting of white and yellow flowers. For a full, soft focus, use Tolmiea, which is often called 'The Mother of Thousands', plant, and Plectranthus, both of which have attractive trailing variegated foliage. If you want some drama then add Ophiopogon negrescens.
Tip: Add water retaining crystals to the compost, they turn to a jelly which keeps the compost moist. Add pellets of plant food at the same time. They release their nutrients slowly into the compost over the growing period.
Weed Control: In a small garden you may be lucky and only have a few patches that need constant weed control but if you really do not want to deal with any weeds then to create a pathway, for example. Cover with special weed supressing membrane. It stops weeds from getting the light and water they need to thrive. A layer of gravel can then sit on top, if you want edging then add this higher than the gravel and stones will not be kicked into your planting areas.
The Edible Garden:
- Strawberries: Put stones in the bottom of pots to improve drainage, add compost up to the first holes, wrap each strawberry plant in paper to protect it, thread them through the lower holes from the inside.
- To ensure even watering, drill holes in a short length of plastic pipe, stand it in the pot and continue planting
- Fill the pipe with gravel, set two or three more plants in the top of the pot. Cover the surface with gravel. Put in a sunny position and water thoroughly, via the gravel pipe
- Water regularly, then enjoy the fruits of your labours - with cream!
