How to Squeeze a Vegetable Patch into a Small Garden
Think you don’t have enough room to grow edible crops? Try these ideas for size
Whether you have a small garden, a paved courtyard or just a balcony, it’s possible to find space to grow fruit, vegetables and herbs. Take a look at these ideas to see how you could create an edible area in your tiny outdoor plot.
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
Big up brick
Here’s a similar idea, but this time the beds have been raised. A shallow brick wall has been built to section off each area of soil.
Raised beds like these have a few benefits, including preventing soil spilling out onto the patio area and acting as a partial barrier to slugs and snails.
Find a garden designer in your area to help with your outdoor space.
Here’s a similar idea, but this time the beds have been raised. A shallow brick wall has been built to section off each area of soil.
Raised beds like these have a few benefits, including preventing soil spilling out onto the patio area and acting as a partial barrier to slugs and snails.
Find a garden designer in your area to help with your outdoor space.
Fashion a fountain
Maximise space in a full border by incorporating containers that take up room vertically. Here, for example, strawberries have been planted in a tower of pots.
The tiered construction allows the strawberries to tumble over like a fountain. By using the space wisely, the owners can add plenty of strawberry plants, and the designers say this arrangement helps to keep the fruit free of disease.
Maximise space in a full border by incorporating containers that take up room vertically. Here, for example, strawberries have been planted in a tower of pots.
The tiered construction allows the strawberries to tumble over like a fountain. By using the space wisely, the owners can add plenty of strawberry plants, and the designers say this arrangement helps to keep the fruit free of disease.
Go up the walls
Wall-hung planters are another way to maximise vertical space. They work particularly well on a linear fence like this one, as the fittings can be attached to the horizontal slats.
In this design, the slim baskets are ideal for growing herbs, which can easily be snipped off when the cook needs them for a recipe.
Wall-hung planters are another way to maximise vertical space. They work particularly well on a linear fence like this one, as the fittings can be attached to the horizontal slats.
In this design, the slim baskets are ideal for growing herbs, which can easily be snipped off when the cook needs them for a recipe.
Shelve it
Here’s a striking design. Rows of slanted shelves have been planted with edible crops to once again take advantage of height.
What makes this feature look even more visually interesting is the regimented way the plants are positioned. Each crop has been grouped in a uniform way, making it easy to find them and adding a quirky element to the design.
Here’s a striking design. Rows of slanted shelves have been planted with edible crops to once again take advantage of height.
What makes this feature look even more visually interesting is the regimented way the plants are positioned. Each crop has been grouped in a uniform way, making it easy to find them and adding a quirky element to the design.
Steel away
Classic timber and stone borders are an attractive choice, but if you’re looking for something space-saving, consider going for super-slim, contemporary Corten steel.
Here, the designers have grouped a collection of steel raised beds together. The colour of the rusted surface works well with the sandstone patio, and the rust will protect the metal from atmospheric corrosion, so they should last for years.
Classic timber and stone borders are an attractive choice, but if you’re looking for something space-saving, consider going for super-slim, contemporary Corten steel.
Here, the designers have grouped a collection of steel raised beds together. The colour of the rusted surface works well with the sandstone patio, and the rust will protect the metal from atmospheric corrosion, so they should last for years.
Raise your game
In a small garden, it’s a good idea to add height – it will encourage the eye to move around the area and visually expand the space.
A table-style vegetable planter like this one is great for this, as it adds vertical interest and allows for even more space-maximising storage below. An added bonus is that the height makes it easy for the owner to maintain and pick the plants without straining any muscles.
You might also enjoy Which Fruit and Veg Can I Grow in a Tiny Space?
In a small garden, it’s a good idea to add height – it will encourage the eye to move around the area and visually expand the space.
A table-style vegetable planter like this one is great for this, as it adds vertical interest and allows for even more space-maximising storage below. An added bonus is that the height makes it easy for the owner to maintain and pick the plants without straining any muscles.
You might also enjoy Which Fruit and Veg Can I Grow in a Tiny Space?
Be inventive with planters
Rather than flowers, this urban terrace is surrounded by planters packed full of edible crops. The plants still offer colour, interest and screening, but provide plenty of produce, too.
To ensure the plants stay well-watered, the designers of the beds, which are made from cedar, have incorporated an irrigation system within them.
If you’d like to do something like this, talk to a gardening professional to find the best system for your vegetable borders.
Tell us…
Would you include any of these ideas in your own garden? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Rather than flowers, this urban terrace is surrounded by planters packed full of edible crops. The plants still offer colour, interest and screening, but provide plenty of produce, too.
To ensure the plants stay well-watered, the designers of the beds, which are made from cedar, have incorporated an irrigation system within them.
If you’d like to do something like this, talk to a gardening professional to find the best system for your vegetable borders.
Tell us…
Would you include any of these ideas in your own garden? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
If your outdoor space is paved over, it might be possible to swap some of the hard landscaping for planting beds.
Here, for example, the designers have removed a couple of the large pavers. The surfaces have been replaced with soil and stone borders. With just a few changes, the household can grow edible crops on what was once just a concrete patio.