Garden Ideas For Small Spaces
With the right strategies, you can transform your outdoor space into an area you'll be proud to show off. Whether you're looking for an area for entertainment, a an area for reading or a vegetable garden there are plenty of ideas to match your garden's design.
Make the eye swivel with the use of a series of focal points such as this garden created by Charlotte Rowe. Using different plants throughout the year creates interest.
Organic Gardening
Organic gardening aims to create healthy plants that thrive without synthetic chemicals. This means treating the soil by compost, manure and other natural amendments that provide nutrients to the garden, rather than synthetic fertilisers; weeding manually or with mulches or sheeting instead of spraying weed killer; and cultivating varieties that are naturally resistant to pests and diseases, which reduces the requirement for chemical pesticides and fungicides.
It's also essential to select the right plants for the garden site, a key aspect of that is knowing the soil type and its nutrients levels. Different plants thrive in different environments, and planting them in the wrong spot could cause problems. It is possible to determine the pH of the soil by testing the soil. If the soil is alkaline, lilacs and hydrangeas will grow however azaleas and rhododendrons thrive in soils that are acidic.
After a garden is established, it's important to provide it with regular fertilizer and other organic material that will help increase its health and productivity. This is an essential step to create nutrient-rich, rich soil that will let plants flourish. This can be done by adding compost to the soil either at home or at a gardening center. Then, top off the beds regularly with it. Natural soil amendments like bone meal, blood meal and rock phosphate can be used to boost the fertility of soil.
Finally, it's important to be on guard and check the garden often for indications of trouble. Insects and other pests can quickly turn a once-thriving plant into a garden of horrifying calamities, so it's essential to recognize problems early and take the necessary steps to prevent them from happening. Planting a variety of different plants such as flowers, fruits and vegetables, can attract beneficial insects to the garden, which will help keep insects at bay.
starting a garden seasoned gardener will know that it requires more than effort to achieve amazing results. By embracing nature and cultivating healthy plants, a common gardener will be able to delight in the pleasures of watching the sight of a Grevillea flourishing or picking a tomato for breakfast.
Climbing Plants
No matter if you have a tiny balcony or a huge yard climbing plants are the perfect way to give height and interest to your garden. They can conceal unsightly areas, cover empty fences and walls with the form of foliage and flowers and offer shade and privacy. There are a myriad of options for all climates.
Depending on the species, climbing plants can be evergreen or deciduous and can develop into flowersing or woody vines. Some, like jasmine and ivy, are vigorous plants that climb without much effort and are able to quickly cover walls or trellis structures. Some climbers, such as clematis and wisteria are more refined. They grow slowly and flower throughout the year. No matter what kind of climber you choose it is crucial to think about the structure you'll require to support it. Trellises can be used to support most types of climbing plants. They are made of metal or wood, and come in different shapes.
Some climbing plants twine or attach to their supports by using specialized leaves and shoots. Certain climbing plants, like star Jasmine and clinging Ivy have sticky pads on their stems or aerial roots which allow them to stick to surfaces without any additional support. But, all climbers require some sort of guidance in the beginning of establishing themselves. They must be tied to the structure to keep them there, and some may require a little care like trimming and pruning.
Consider the trumpet vine, Campsis radicans, for a beautiful and fast-growing vine to cover your pergola or fence. This native plant will bring a smile to your area, and also attract bees and pollinators. This beautiful plant can be a bit of a nuisance and could cause damage to your home if not controlled.
Xeriscaping
Xeriscaping is a landscape design that blends low-water-use plants with materials to create an outdoor garden. It's not just a specific style or group of plants, instead, it's a set of seven common-sense gardening principles that help save water, time and money. A successful landscape xeriscape incorporates these principles in every aspect of the design from planting to conservation of water to hardscape features. It's best to plan for a xeriscaped garden from the start, as it takes some forethought and research to begin.
The main component of a xeriscape includes selecting drought-tolerant plants for the entire landscape. It's important to select a soil with good drainage and holds water. Mulches made from organic materials also improve the soil's ability to hold on to water. Mulches are affordable, easy to maintain, and can reduce the need for irrigation, acting as a blanket on the soil. They also regulate soil temperature, and slow evaporation.
Another xeriscape option is to plant various plants instead of one type of grass for an enticing, diverse appearance. Mixing flowering perennials, trees and shrubs has become an increasingly popular option. Cottage gardens are an excellent example, as they have an appealing and romantic feel, with their combination colors, shapes, and sizes.
Xeriscape plants require less water than traditional grass, however they do require to be hydrated from time to time. A rainwater collection system could be employed to conserve water and keep the landscaping tidy. For example a rain barrel could collect and hold stormwater runoff, and then release it to garden beds as required. Examining your landscape during a rainstorm could aid in identifying other areas that cause rainwater runoff, and then find ways to redirect it.
You can also save water by using fewer pesticides and fertilizers in your yard. Reduced use of these chemicals could harm beneficial organisms and have a negative impact on the quality of water and air. Hardscape features such as benches, flagstones, and pavers can make your xeriscape more comfortable and useable. They are durable, versatile and can be formed to create a comfy place to sit and enjoy the flowers and plants in your xeriscape.
Trees
Trees are a wonderful addition to any garden, offering shade and attracting birds and insects. They can also help prevent soil erosion, which is a big issue in certain gardens. They can be used as a path through a forest or divide the space of an area of. In the right circumstances, they can be used to deal that involve waterlogging and bogginess particularly if you choose the right type of trees (such as alders or willows).
Trees don't have to be full-grown standard specimens, either. They can be planted in a variety of ways or trained to grow along fences, walls and other structures. This can be accomplished with any kind of tree, though fruit trees are ideal. This is a great idea in case your garden is small or you're looking to create a space within your property.
Many people add benches to the canopy of an older tree to provide relaxation and entertainment. You can make an outdoor living space by bending the branches to resemble the shape of a wigwam. Children love playing on the branches of big trees. You can also hang lanterns on the canopy at night to create a charming appearance.
A retaining wall at the base of large trees can be very attractive and protects the roots against damage caused by other landscaping techniques such as excessive mulching. It is essential to leave enough space at the base of the tree for the roots to grow naturally.
You can add a creative accent to the bark of a tree by painting it with water-based latex paint that is non-toxic and non-toxic. This is a classic technique in hot climates, and it helps to protect the bark from sun's harsh glare. It can be a beautiful finishing touch for a shade garden. It provides color and contrast to the lush green foliage.