by Lilian Okello

Created on: July 05, 2008   Last Updated: July 06, 2008

THE SMALL GARDEN

Gardening in small spaces can be rewarding if you follow these rules:
Start with a plan
A landscape plan is a critical to the success all gardens -, but is even more important when you have a small garden. Besides, it is cheaper to draw several times on paper, erase and redraw your plan until you get what you want and then plant only once. By all means, get a professional drawing if you can afford it. However you can also make a drawing to scale that highlights special features you want to incorporate, such as barbecue spot, a children's play area etc and the types of plants you want .Keep in mind that simplicity works best in small spaces.

Choose your plants carefully
Pay attention to the size of your plants. Large trees and plants are usually better suited to big gardens. In Dee Raymer book he has given a listing of locally available plants that are suitable for different sizes of gardens.

Work with a theme
Use a theme to help you clarify your thoughts and provide your garden with a single focus. Theme will allow you to enjoy the landscape as a cohesive place where everything fits in together. Choose a colour scheme and stick to it. Avoid introducing too many varieties of plants as they can be visually distracting .Its better to plant en masse.that is .one type of plant in a single area rather than three different types. Plants become strong dramatic and architectural when they are planted en masse.They no longer get lost in the garden .Every individual feature, such as the shape of the plant, flower colour and leaf texture stands out.

Take care of the details
In a small garden, mistakes diseased plants, overgrown weeds or broken paving are glaringly. Make sure the hardscapes such as steps, walls and the driveway are well maintained and look good up close. In addition, pay keen attention to the soft features of your space, such as plants. Plant your best plants where people are most likely to see them. For example place a fragrant plant near the main door where visitors will notice them.

Go vertical
Since your options for expanding horizontally are limited, think about advancing upwards. Vertical accents such as bird baths in trees and changes in level, such as a raised patio, attract the eye away from the boundaries of the garden and make it appear more spacious. An attractive creeper along a high wall is another example of taking the eye upwards.

Blend, blend, and blend
Ensure your garden blends in with the house and complements it. Small garden benefits from a seamless flow. The same applies to the contours in the garden. Where possible, avoid right angles on pathways and lawns, and work in curves instead.Remember, nature rarely works in sharp corners or right angles and curves help to give your garden a natural look.

Lights, action
Lightning is particularly useful in small gardens. Apart from creating mood, it can create depth. Lighting can create different affects: uplighters take the eye upward and outward and hence add to the illusion of space. In addi6tion, lighting provides safety so that you can use your garden even at night
.
Growing little gardeners
Help your children develop a love for the natural world and gardening early by providing them with a section of the yard where they can experiment. To make it easier, get those child-friendly tools with which to plant, boots to romp around in and work clothes that can withstand dirt and repeated washings. Allow the children to choose what they want to grow. Good choices include beans, sunflowers, potatoes, strawberries or tomatoes. Gardening will teach the children values such as patience, delligence and responsibility.

Learn more about this author, Lilian Okello.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.