The way we live is for every changing and space is becoming an ever-sought after commodity and therefore our gardens, now more than ever, have become an integrated part of our living space.
But, what are the limitations for a small garden? Most of us do not have rolling acres of land on which to carefully calculate the width versus length of our perennial borders. And, realistically many of us don’t have the time or the inclination to undertake the maintenance these acres of gardens would need.
Creating an outdoor area in a small space has its limits, but it should not be limiting. In a small garden, everything is in the detail. You can keep on top of maintenance, while still having time to sit and enjoy the space. In fact, many small gardens are designed around entertaining and relaxing, rather then the need to nurture masses of plants.
Whatever your reasons for having a small garden, there is no reason it cannot be a well designed show stopper. Virtually any plant or garden style can be adapted into a small garden space. The principles of strong garden design still apply, but they may have to be tweaked slightly.
Main Design Challenges
• The entire garden can be viewed as a whole
• Limited space for ‘hidden’ turns and spaces
• The need to make strong choices and overcome the inclination to buy on impulse
• Colour should be limited to provide cohesion and less is definitely more when space is limited.
• Compensate colour with a greater range and variety of textures
• Textural contrast will help blend the plant material and allow the garden to flow
• Every plant or feature will need to serve a purpose. There is no room for wasted space or underperforming plants. Plants should offer at least two seasons of interest
Small Garden Bonuses
• Design can be easier when you can take in the whole picture at once.
• It takes fewer plants to make a dramatic effect.
• Gardeners get to know every space and plant in a small garden. Any plant that is out of place or not thriving can be spotted and corrected quickly.
• Small gardens lend themselves to being enclosed. For example an evergreen or flowering hedge will give the illusion of a secret garden. A simple low boxwood edge transforms a small garden into a formal garden. Landscaping and fencing enclose and define a space for entertaining or children’s play.
• A small space garden lends itself to personal expression. Smaller gardens are extensions of you and your home and speak volumes about your sensibilities and tastes. But, if your tastes should change, it’s much easier to revamp a small garden.
Gardening Tips for May – From the Spanish Potting Shed
Although I'm in a flurry of activity for the forthcoming Chelsea Flower Show, I am writing this mopnth's tips from the seclusion of Finca Lucia in Andalucia.
Now on my travels to this delightful haven of peace and tranquillity (volcanic ash permitting) I’ve browsed across the Spanish Gardening Forum, hot topics for this month include; “how is your orange crop, flowering cacti and the tales of the poor palms”. Reading through the comments on orange crops I can see that gardening is taken just as seriously here as it is in the UK.
But back to our green and pleasant pastures. Now that most of the country is enjoying a period of prolonged warmth (not really heat) we should be seeing changes throughout the garden.
Weed Control
And as we experience the start of the growing seasons so cometh the weeds. Regular hoeing will keep the weeds down and stop them from becoming too big and overpowering. Also, putting down a layer of mulch will help to stop further weeds but remember to water well first, as this helps to seal in the moisture around your plants.
Lawns
Your grass will be growing well now so you'll need to keep on top of the mowing ideally on a weekly basis. Avoid scalping the lawn by keeping the blades relatively high, but each time you do mow it, lower them slightly. This is also a great time to feed established lawns and don’t forget to water them during the prolonged hot spells before they start going brown.
Vegetable Plot
This month is the perfect time to sow runner and French beans outside and if you sowed leeks earlier, these can go out too. Marrows and courgettes are tender plants so protect them from any late frosts and keep them well watered throughout the summer. If you don’t have room for a vegetable plot then don’t forget you can grow a wide selection of veg favourites and berries in pots and containers.
Flower Beds & Boarders
Stake your flowers now as this makes them easier to train.
Begin cutting and deadheading as soon as blossoming begins and for late blooming bulbs be sure to take off the bloom and leave plenty of leaf so the bulb can store energy for next season.
With so much available in sow direct seed, you should try and plan successive sowings of your favourite flowers. Have a look around your local garden centres for seeds or buy them direct on-line.
Plan to add edging plants to borders and walkways. Good annuals include ageratum, alyssum, dusty miller, petunias, lobelia, phlox, portulaca, marigolds, nasturiums, pansies and verbena.
And, don’t forget your window boxes and planters. Mix flowers, herbs and a little ivy for a beautiful display.
Happy Gardening
Now on my travels to this delightful haven of peace and tranquillity (volcanic ash permitting) I’ve browsed across the Spanish Gardening Forum, hot topics for this month include; “how is your orange crop, flowering cacti and the tales of the poor palms”. Reading through the comments on orange crops I can see that gardening is taken just as seriously here as it is in the UK.
But back to our green and pleasant pastures. Now that most of the country is enjoying a period of prolonged warmth (not really heat) we should be seeing changes throughout the garden.
Weed Control
And as we experience the start of the growing seasons so cometh the weeds. Regular hoeing will keep the weeds down and stop them from becoming too big and overpowering. Also, putting down a layer of mulch will help to stop further weeds but remember to water well first, as this helps to seal in the moisture around your plants.
Lawns
Your grass will be growing well now so you'll need to keep on top of the mowing ideally on a weekly basis. Avoid scalping the lawn by keeping the blades relatively high, but each time you do mow it, lower them slightly. This is also a great time to feed established lawns and don’t forget to water them during the prolonged hot spells before they start going brown.
Vegetable Plot
This month is the perfect time to sow runner and French beans outside and if you sowed leeks earlier, these can go out too. Marrows and courgettes are tender plants so protect them from any late frosts and keep them well watered throughout the summer. If you don’t have room for a vegetable plot then don’t forget you can grow a wide selection of veg favourites and berries in pots and containers.
Flower Beds & Boarders
Stake your flowers now as this makes them easier to train.
Begin cutting and deadheading as soon as blossoming begins and for late blooming bulbs be sure to take off the bloom and leave plenty of leaf so the bulb can store energy for next season.
With so much available in sow direct seed, you should try and plan successive sowings of your favourite flowers. Have a look around your local garden centres for seeds or buy them direct on-line.
Plan to add edging plants to borders and walkways. Good annuals include ageratum, alyssum, dusty miller, petunias, lobelia, phlox, portulaca, marigolds, nasturiums, pansies and verbena.
And, don’t forget your window boxes and planters. Mix flowers, herbs and a little ivy for a beautiful display.
Happy Gardening
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