How to Grow a Small Garden
Some homeowners find that they simply do not have the space available to plant a large garden. Other gardeners are just starting out and do not want to be overwhelmed by caring for a large garden. Whatever your reason might be, planting a small garden can bring you a lot of joy.
- Choose your location. Your garden should be placed in an area that gets adequate sunlight. At least 6 hours a day of direct sunlight is important to grow plants well. Place your garden so that it is convenient to your home and a water source, as this will make it much easier to care for.
- Protect your garden. Since your garden is small, every plant counts. Don't risk losing some of your crops or having some of your flowers destroyed. Put a small wire fence around your garden to keep out pesky animals and rodents that may damage your plants.
- Choose plants wisely. Pick plants that perform double-duty. Flowering vegetable plants, for example, can give your garden a beautiful appearance while providing your family with fresh food. Another option is to choose plants that are beautiful in more than one season. This will provide your garden with more visual interest throughout different times of the year.
- Think miniature. Do not believe that you can't plant fruit trees or vegetables in a small garden. You can. All you have to do is seek out the miniature versions of these plants. Dwarf fruit trees can be a great addition to a small garden, as can miniature versions of your favorite vegetables.
- Plan your space well. Place taller plants toward the back of the garden, so as not to block the light from the smaller plants. Take advantage of the vertical space that you have available by training vine plants to climb a fence or trellis. This will free up precious ground space in your small garden.