Happiness is coming home and taking refuge in your own green space, where you can enjoy the smells of nature, even if you live a few miles away from it. If only we could all come home and smell those roses, or blueberries, or just have the opportunity to watch a migrating hummingbird feeding on our flowers.
Although there are challenges and difficulties that arise when designing a small garden at home, it is worth the time and effort to have one, no matter how small your home may be.
In recent days we published, in an article, the steps that you should follow to to start designing your garden from scratchBut today, in this one we want to help you design a small garden at home, through the six basic steps detailed below:
- Create a plan for your garden
Measure your space. Then, draw it on graph paper or on your computer. It doesn’t have to be pretty, but the scale should be accurate. For printed portability, it’s best if the sketch fits on a standard sheet of paper, for example, an A4 (8.5 “x 11”). Convert each meter to a scale that fits the paper. Now that you are looking at it objectively, you can see how and where the elements of your future vegetable garden will fit.
Assign spaces
How will you use this garden? Are you going to eat there? Have a barbecue? Grow fruits and flowers? Host guests? Once you know what you want, add all those elements to the sketch: a table, seating, a barbecue, planters, a shed, etc. How big is the table and how wide are those chairs? Draw it to scale. Consider furniture that does double duty (a table that doubles as a stool or a plant stand) and pieces that can be folded and set aside.
Incorporate solid elements or “hardscaping”.
What does your space need in terms of construction? Be realistic about what is essential for safety or building codes. Aesthetic elements such as fencing, decking and masonry will depend on your budget. Professional hardscaping can be expensive, but there is a good chance it will be done well and last for many years. Don’t forget to include a water feature!
Take into account climate and sun exposure
Choosing the right plants for your garden, regardless of size, depends on the location. In Tenerife we have microclimates, so you should take this factor into account. Not all plants are resistant to all types of climate: some do not tolerate much cold, while others do not thrive in the heat. That is why knowing your area well will allow you to choose the right plants for your region, city or town.
On the other hand, the layout of your house could mean total shade over your future garden, so there would be plants that would not be possible to grow, because some require a minimum of sunlight. Even in a small space, one side of your garden may be different from the other. Also pay attention to the wind, because roofs and balconies often support strong gusts of wind that can wreak havoc on many plants.
Choose plants that work together and adapt to your climate.
Add plants to your sketch using colored markers. In horticultural literature and on plant labels, plants are described as:
- Suitable for full sun (more than six hours of direct sun);
- Semi-shade (three to six hours of direct or intermittent sunlight); or
- Full shade (no direct sun).
Depending on how you keep notes, choose plants that are best suited to each exposure and microclimate. A collection of plants that blooms or produces throughout the growing year is more compelling than one where everything disappears after spring. Choose plants for different flowering times, as well as for interesting texture and foliage. Vary the heights by using pots of different sizes, as well as a mix of annuals, perennials and shrubs. Repeat some plants several times (odd numbers look more natural), to tie the scheme together.
Some plant basics to keep in mind when making selections for your garden:
- Annuals last one growing season and die back in winter. They have a big impact and are an excellent seasonal solution for tight spaces.
- The plants perennials are herbaceous plants that live more than one year and flower for two to six weeks.
- Shrubs are woody plants that can be annuals or perennials in your area. Choose them for bloom time, fruit and structural interest.
- Climbers expand small spaces by increasing interest. They can be annuals or perennials and are excellent for maximizing vegetation in a small space.
- Trees (small and medium) work well in small gardens and require larger containers. Every few years, potted trees benefit from root pruning to prevent banding.
- Choose the right pots
You will need them, unless you are gardening in the ground, with plenty of space. There are plenty of suitable pots that help plants thrive. If weight is an issue, because perhaps your garden is on a rooftop, you should use plastic, metal, fiberglass or lightweight grow bags. Wood, terra cotta and concrete are fine if weight is not an issue.
The size of pots or containers depends on the plants. Annuals can thrive as small as 4″ in diameter. Perennials need more space, 10″ and larger. Shrubs, 16″ and larger. Small trees, 20″ and larger.
A local garden center such as ROOTS MACARONESIA will be invaluable in helping you make the right decisions. Keep in mind that if your garden is located on a windswept balcony, larger pots are less likely to tip over than many small containers, so consider grouping plants together rather than potting them individually.
Do you want more tips to design a small garden at home? Visit us at ROOTS and we will advise you about the best plants and elements to design that garden you want to have.
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