Best Ways to Garden in Small Spaces on a Budget

If you are anything like me, you love to garden but also know that sometimes it can be difficult to know how to start out. This is especially true if you live in an apartment or don't really have the space to start a garden, and if money is tight. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to garden in a small space, all while sticking to your budget and not breaking the bank. This easy guide for gardening in small spaces will help point you in the right direction.

1.) Coming Up With A Plan The first step in gardening in small spaces is to come up with some sort of game plan. If you live in an apartment and only have a balcony or patio to garden on, then you are going to have to be a bit more creative when it comes to finding a way to plant everything, while not taking up all of your space with plants. The first step to coming up with a good plan is to find inspiration. I have found that following gardening, DIY, and landscaping boards on Pinterest has helped inspire some of the best and most creative ideas when it comes to gardening! Occasionally, these ideas have also helped me save a few dollars in the process. If you do not already have a Pinterest account, I highly recommend you get one and start following a few gardening boards. They are loaded with all kinds of fun and quirky ideas!

2.) Collecting Items

Once you have a plan or at least some sort of idea on where you are going to start with your garden, or what you would eventually like to achieve, the next important step in gardening in small spaces is to start collecting the tools and items you will need to garden in a small space. Reusing and upcyling household items is a great way to garden efficiently, all while saving space and money. Looking for items on websites like Craigslist or Freecycle, or checking for gardening supplies at resale & thrift shops is another great way to get more bang for your buck, and find unique items that will work great in any garden! Some of my favorite garden treasures have come from thrift stores.

Household Items That Work Great To Use As Planters

• Cans
• Milk Crates
• Bottles
• Jars
• Toilet Paper Rolls
• Lanterns
• Fish Tanks
• Fish Bowls
• Tires
• Old Toolboxes, Mailboxes, or Baskets
• Glassware
• Gutters
• Pipes
• Cinderblocks
• Concrete
• Wagons, Wheelbarrows, Wagon Wheels
  
• Lightbulbs
• Coffee Mugs
• Pallets
• Old Bird Baths
• Laundry Baskets
• Broken Terra Cotta Pots
• Metal Tea Canisters
• Watering Cans

3.) Get To It!

Once you have a plan and the items you will need to start your garden, you will want to buy soil, seeds, and plants if you have not already done so. I have learned from experience that planting flowers, fruits, veggies and herbs from seeds tends to usually work better than transplanting plants that are already half grown and sold at the stores. Seeds are also usually fairly inexpensive to buy, with prices usually ranging anywhere from $1.00-4.00. I've found a variety of good seed starters at places like Lowes and Target. Another thing you might consider when purchasing seeds is trying to find items that you can re-use later. What I mean by this is being able to save the seeds again for next year, or replant from recycling plant parts. (i.e. green onions, celery, pineapples, etc.) Once you've got all your seeds and everything else you need, its time to get to it! Here are some cool ideas to help get you started:

Savvy Small Space Gardening Tips

Shoe Organizer Garden - One cost effective and quirky way to garden in a small space is to invest or recycle a canvas shoe organizer. This shoe organizer can be hung up and kept off the wall with a few strips of wood. This type of garden planter works great for growing herbs.

Salad Box - If you are looking for an ideal way to plant lettuce, kale, or other greens, then you might consider creating your very own salad box. Raised beds on table legs or platforms work great for this type of garden planter, and also require less bending over to tend to your garden, which is even better. You can create your own simple salad box by upcycling and hollowing out an old desk, or taking the drawers out of a dresser. Other items that work well are redwood planter boxes with a few 1 x 4's. Simply piece these items together with a few tools like a hammer, nails, and some glue, etc. and you're good to go.

Pallet Garden - One of the easiest and most efficient ways to garden in a small space, like on a balcony or patio is to get a pallet and set it vertically. This type of planter works great for herbs like basil or rosemary, or even to make a "catio" for your feline friend. You can grow some catnip and other types of cat grasses within the pallets. Check out this easy DIY guide to build your very own pallet garden.

Gutter Garden - Gutter Gardens are becoming more and more popular in small gardening spaces. This brilliant solution involves taking gutters and connecting them to walls in a sunny area, so that they are off the ground, away from bugs, animals, and a foundation that can sometimes become too wet. Check out these cool DIY guides for gutter gardens and hanging gutter gardens.

Canning Jar Garden - Making a wall mounted Spice Rack from Canning Jars is another cheap and easy way to garden in small spaces. This idea can even be used by those individuals who don't have outdoor space to garden in, at all. A canning jar garden will work great outdoors on your patio, fence, balcony, garage wall, etc. or indoors on the wall of your living room or kitchen.

Terraniums - Terraniums are a fun idea for any gardener who loves to get creative and have fun while gardening. Some of my favorite terraniums that I've made came from items that I thrifted. (i.e. old fish bowls and spice bowls with lids, garden gnomes, fake flowers and vines, rocks, pebbles, sand, etc.) A terranium will add flair to any garden that is on a patio or balcony, or any garden that is indoors.

Rain Boot Planter - Another cheap and whimsical way to add a bit of style to any garden is to use old rain boots as a planter. They can be hung from the walls, a fence, or just sit on top of a table or the ground. This specific planter is a fun idea to do if you like gardening with your kids.

Window Boxes - Another cute and simple way to garden some of your favorite flowers or a few of your favorite herbs is to invest in a window box. These can usually be found at your local gardening store or a home goods store. You can even re-use household items like wine boxes, baskets, and wooden crates to make your very own window box. To add a bit of pizzaz, try painting your box and distressing it. You can even buy some stencils and write some cute messages or words on the box, to turn any plain old box to an adorable window box in no time.

Coffee and Soup Can Garden- A coffee and soup can garden is another easy idea when it comes to gardening in small spaces. Coffee cans and soup cans are two everyday items that you probably already have lying around the house. If you paint them to add a bit of charm and then plant your favorite flowers or herbs in them, they can be placed on the ground, window ledges, or tables, or even be hung from ceilings, rafters, roofs, walls, fences, trees and poles.

Square Foot/Raised Bed Garden - Making your own raised bed garden doesn't have to be as difficult as it seems. In fact, you can even measure out the specific amount of distance and feet you want the garden to be. You'd be surprised just how many vegetables and flowers you can manage to fit in just a few square feet. Cinder blocks work great for this type of garden, especially if you are planting something like strawberries. If you don't have enough space to build a raised bed garden, you might even consider just using a few cinder blocks by themselves and planting a select few plants and inside them.

Laundry Basket Garden - Laundry Baskets work great for gardening things like potatoes. They also work great for keeping around your garden when it comes time to harvest your plants and rinse them off. Even better? A laundry basket works as a natural strainer. Gone are the days of having to lug everything in the house one item at a time to rinse and strain.

Conclusion

Feeling inspired yet? Remember, just because a space is small, doesn't mean it can't have gardening potential. I live in an apartment and for my garden I literally just went into the woods and collected buckets full of rocks. Then I dug around our windows where the grass was dead, and laid down some soil and river pebbles which I got on a summer sale at Lowes, and then I outlined the landscape with the collected rocks. I planted from seeds and spread mulch around, bought $2 solar lights from Target, and thrifted gardening tools like watering cans, and materials to make terraniums and gnome gardens. 

I also bought 6 red bricks from Lowes for less than $20 and just dug up a bit of grass in front of our patio where I wanted to place them, placed them down in a curved path and patted the dirt back down. It took about a year for the grass to grow in around it (I could have bought grass seed and planted, but I was lazy) within a year's time, we now have a cute DIY path leading from our patio do our small garden. With a little bit of imagination, and creativity, and a bit of hard work, your small garden space can be thriving in no time, and you don't even have to spend outside your budget to make it all happen. Best of luck!

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Special Relaxing Touches You Can Add to Your Patio

So you don't have a large yard, but you have a nice size patio, however you don't appreciate your neighbor watching you relax, and it's not really that comfortable. So how can you add a little bit of privacy to your patio area. With a few special touches you can have a relaxing patio area, without too many prying eyes. Or perhaps you just want a piece of yard where you can kick back and relax during the spring and summer months.

Garden Wall

A simple garden wall on your patio can give you a nice amount of privacy with a great look. The best part is that you don't need to have a concrete wall, but can have one covered in with a few bushes and flowers. It will take a little bit of investment on your part, but if you shop early spring you may find a few sales. Be sure that you take measurements so that you get enough bushes to cover the outer edge of the patio. The bushes need to be high enough so that it gives you a bit of privacy. If you measure incorrectly. Try doing a bit of research on Pinterest to find a few garden walls idea.

Bird House Fence

If you like the sounds and sights of birds in the morning or throughout the day, then a bird house fence may be for you. A bird house fence can basically be a stockade fence with a few of the posts replaced with bird houses. It adds a nice touch to the fence, and gives a unique look. You can even experiment with different unique colors. Why not make your patio a place of relaxation, and comfort while adding privacy.

Comfortable seating

Of course the best part of any patio is that you can make a comfortable seating area. The best part about the seating area is that you don't have to spend a lot of money. You just need to look for the right sales and deals. You also don't need a lot of seating, but just enough to keep you and a few guests comfortable.

Outdoor carpet

One thing I really enjoy about a patio is the outdoor carpet. It's really relaxing to walk outdoors without any shoes on, and just relax. There are plenty of outdoor carpets that are made to deal with the elements, and easy to clean. However, a lot of outdoor carpets do not have any cushion to them, but you will not be walking on it for too long, so no need to worry about the thickness.

Need more design ideas, try searching for design in the top right corner or proceed to next article about garden design Patio Improvement Ideas That Work Year-Round for Entertaining

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Patio Improvement Ideas That Work Year-Round for Entertaining

Have you thought about improving your backyard patio for spring and summer after years of using the same design? Particularly after a harsh winter (or three), your previous design may have taken a beating that gives it an embarrassingly worn look to guests. You may need some different ideas to help enliven things for the summer and for use year-round, including during relatively stable winters.

Adding a Pergola

Pergolas have become excellent stylistic choices for backyard patios without necessarily protecting from the elements. That's because they still have openings at the top, though provide enough covering where they make direct sunshine less intense. They're the perfect hybrid between a gazebo and arbor. Using different designs, you can create ones that provide little private areas with table and chairs where visitors can hold conversations.

Weather-Resistant Rugs

While you may have avoided using rugs in your outdoor patio area, a weather-resistant one can spruce things up without needing much else. More and more high-quality rugs resistant to weather have become available on the market, including from such unsurprising big names as Martha Stewart. And while buying from familiar names usually means quality, look for ones made out of recycled material if you want to live green.

Using a Fire Pit

Here's another stylish option that can improve your patio based on appearance and year-round usefulness. With a fire pit, you basically have a multipurpose system for roasting marshmallows or for building a general fire to keep warm during the fall or winter months. You can set up an environment not unlike a warm living room if you entertain during a winter that doesn't necessarily resemble Polar Vortex. Fire pits can be found on Google shopping for varying prices depending on stylistic choice.

More Creative Plantings

For those that want more nature around their backyard patio, you can add some vast improvements by honing in on your plantings. Adding more or shaping the ones you already have creates some interesting ideas.

Some people use plantings with their pergolas to create a natural wall for private settings. Others may want to create elaborate gardens with tropical plants or flowering borders around the patio. Adding flowers around a patio path can also create an aroma that some guests will love. That may have to be sans roses since you'd play risk of at least one guest being allergic to them. If you are looking ways to brind more light to your garden as well as aiming for a classy look this article titled Tips to Brighten Dark Areas in Landscape Design

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5 Containers to Use Instead of Flower Pots for Your Veggies

Thrifty Containers for Growing Vegetables

Even though I have a fairly large yard, I do a bit of container gardening as well. Container gardening lets me grow flowers and vegetables in areas of the yard where normally I can't grow anything such as the steps or on the sidewalk. Containers also let me elevate vegetables that our family eats raw (such as salad greens and basil) which keeps them out of reach from our family pets who aren't terribly discerning where they do their business.

While oversized flower pots are the most common type of container for planting your vegetables, there other options too. Here are 5 containers that I use for planting container vegetables.

Old galvanized wash basins

If you have Grandma's leaky old wash basin still kicking around the house, these 10 gallon basins are ideal for growing vegetables such as carrots, radishes, and salad greens. The ones I use have cracks in the bottom which allow for drainage; basins that still hold water should have a dozen or so holes pierced into the base using a five penny nail and a hammer.

Old canning kettles

While Grandma's old copper canning kettle holds firewood in my living room, her old canning kettles made of galvanized steel or speckled enamel have also found new life in my garden for flowers and lettuce. Because some of these do have antique value if in excellent condition, I only use the kettles that no longer hold water for growing vegetables.

Watering cans

Cans that have rusted, lost their spout, or their handles are usually tossed in the trash. I reclaim these fun containers for growing herbs. Old watering cans look cute when arranged on tree stumps, staggered along the steps leading up to the front door, or nailed to the top of fence posts.

Kiddie swimming pool

Years ago when I lived in a mobile home park, the soil that surrounded our home looked too iffy for growing food crops. What I did instead was to buy a couple of $5 kiddie pools to use for growing garden veggies. Kiddie pools are great for square foot gardening plus can be elevated on saw horses to keep out the cats. Like the wash basins, these pools will also need holes punched in the base to avoid water log.

Old wire bike baskets

The increase in popularity of coconut basket liners opens up all kinds of possibilities for turning wire baskets, wire crates and other wire containers into attractive containers for gardening. I use coconut liners to turn Mom's old bike racks into herb baskets that can be hung from the side of my garden shed. 

For families watching costs, containers for container gardening doesn't have to cost a lot of money. As long as the container is deep enough, has drainage holes, and isn't made of harmful substances that can leach into the soil, you can pretty much turn just about anything into a container for vegetable gardening. Looking for more information about container  gardening <--- click here

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Easy Ways to Enhance Your Landscaping

Is your yard a failed work in progress? Don't have the time, cash or energy to move it into the awesome neighbor category? Wish there was an easy fix? While landscaping is hard work, there are things you can do to perk up your exterior without spending a lot of time or money. You might be surprised what a few cheap simple fixes can do to change the appearance of your landscape.

Dump a load of....

What do you prefer? Much? Gravel? Fillers like these can cut down on maintenance while beautifying your yard and garden. We have one neighbor who completely rocked in their entire lawn. They scattered plants here and there to comply with code requirements. You know what's surprising? It doesn't look half bad. They told me their investment was less than $500. That's not bad, considering the cost of most green lawns and gardens.

What if you're not into that amount of rock?

Simply covering bare areas still makes a visible difference. Keep the good parts. Cover up the bad.

Use containers.

When time is your enemy, low maintenance containers brighten landscaping. When we moved in, our front lawn was devoid of florals. We hadn't the time to go all out with a big floral garden. Therefore, we did a good clean-up, adding floral pots here and there. We used seeds and bulbs in the pots, rather than buying full grown arrangements.

Keep it clean

Even the worst yards look better when kept neat and tidy. If you don't have a lot of time or money to invest in your yard, keeping it clean goes a long way toward your eventual goal. We still have some bare spots here and there. So do the neighbors. The difference is that we keep ours raked clean. Believe it or not, just that factor improves the look of our landscape considerably in comparison.

Trim it up.

Just giving bushes and shrubs a trim makes a world of difference. A shaggy bush that oversteps it's boundaries makes for an unsightly home, no matter what else is going on. Bushes are large and draw the eye to them. Keeping them trimmed is free if you have a few good tools. Why not get out there and take advantage of the fact?

Hose off your home.

Power wash your house. Use the garden hose if that's all you have. It'll cut down the insect population too. Paint the front door red. Clean up the walks. Add an accent or two, here and there. Small changes can really perk up your front yard. Even if you don't have house beautiful, you can have a home that reflects your loving, caring spirit.

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Spring is Almost Here, Time to Get Out the Gardening Catalogs

Every year it seems like it is time to replant and decide if we are going to have a produce garden or not and if we are going to keep the flower garden the same or not. There are those of you who live in big cities and apartments and you are saying oh I wish I had the room to garden. Good news, you can, just not on as big a scale as urban and country folk.

For those who have limited space

There are potting gardens and these gardens can be any size you want. You can even grow vegetables in flower pots. The vegetables that grow the best in flower pots are tomatoes, beans, herbs, carrots and other small vegetables. I would not try to grow corn; however I am not saying you cannot try. There are even dwarf fruit trees that do very well in pots. Dwarf fruit trees such as; banana, oranges, apples and even pomegranate. These dwarf trees grow from four to eight feet in height which make them ideal for patio or balcony. They need to be able to be moved inside in the colder regions.

Flower pot gardens can be planted in any size pots, but care must be given to the size and number of planes to be grown in the pot. Potted gardens are only limited to the imagination. There are water gardens, hanging gardens, even "fairy" gardens and terrariums.

Planting full size gardens

When deciding what to plant in a flower garden, it is best to use a catalog so you can see what the flowers will look like; however, you will want to compare prices. For example; a four foot by six foot butterfly/hummingbird garden with 29 plants sold as a planned garden can costs $32.99 plus $12.95 shipping; whereas you can buy the plants individually from the same company with a savings of about $5.00; here how it works. The garden plan with 29 plants works out to be $1.14/per plant. That sounds like a really good deal. Now let us look at the real price of each plant:

• · 1 Rainbow Butterfly bush $3.99

• · 1 Orange trumpet vine 3.99

• · 10 Hardy Perennial lilies 10/6.49

• · 1 Ever-blooming coneflower 2.99

• · 10 Blazing star lilies 10/2.99

• · 3 Blue columbine 3/2.99

• · 3 Dwarf Daylilies 3/5.99

Total: $29.43

These same plants bought individually works out to cost $1.01/per plant. Because the total is under $30.01, shipping is only $10.95. Therefore that is another saving of $2.00. It is very important to check out what is a better deal. Would these same plants, be cheaper at the local garden center? I am not sure. You would have to shop around to see which is the better value. These figures came from the Michigan Bulb catalog spring 2014.

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Tricks to Decorating a Small Outdoor Space

Not everyone has a spacious outdoor area with plush grass, fragrant flower gardens, and ample room for entertaining. But that doesn't mean we don't all want to enjoy the outdoor space that we do have. No matter how small your outdoor space, there are things you can do to create the perfect spot for gardening, reading, entertaining, or simply relaxing in the shade. Follow these tricks to decorating a small outdoor space and get the most out of your patio, garden, or other outdoor area.

Before you begin, take measurements of the space you're working with. Draw layout ideas that appeal to you, and confirm that what looks good on paper will work in reality.

Double-duty pieces - Any time you work with small spaces, it's important to make the most of everything in the room. When choosing tables, chairs, benches, and other items, try to select things it that can serve multiple purposes. Seating with hidden storage, side tables that can double as seating, and so on, are smart options when decorating a small outdoor space.

Hanging plants - When space is limited, you have no choice but to go up instead of out. Create privacy and add color and texture to your outdoor area with lush hanging plants. Purchase several lengths of chain and hang hanging baskets at different levels. This helps block out sunlight, and adds an inviting atmosphere to a plain patio or porch.

A portable garden - Container gardening is fun, easy, and a great way to add life to an outdoor space. Whether you want a vegetable or flower garden, you'll find that portable containers are the perfect option. When entertaining, containers can be wheeled out of the way, but can be easily pushed back into place when guests are gone.

Storable furniture - While lounge chairs are comfortable, they may not be practical when decorating a small outdoor space. Instead of taking up a lot of space with one bulky item, look for chairs that are cushioned, but can be folded and stored inside a storage unit or beneath a bench.

Built-in seating - If your outdoor space is awkward in shape, you may find it difficult to arrange a comfortable seating layout. One way to combat this problem is with built-in benches. These custom fit options hug the walls and open up walking space. Top benches with weather-proof cushions in bright cheerful colors and patterns. Be smart and create hidden storage space beneath the benches.

Decorative lighting - Set the mood to your outdoor space with decorative outdoor lighting. There's something whimsical and inviting about miniature white lights, which can be strung along railings and banisters. Rope lights will serve a similar purpose, while garden lanterns or tiki torches add a party feel.

Living wall - Even outdoor spaces can benefit from a focal point. If there isn't one readily available, consider sprucing up one side of the outdoor space with a living wall. Set up tall lattice work and arrange climbing vines or flowers to cover the entire area. Garden trellis' can support oversized container plants to create the same look.

Whether you choose to use all these tricks, or just a few, you're sure to find that time outdoors is more enjoyable with a nicely arranged, and attractively decorated, outdoor space.

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Hassle Free Container Gardening

Enjoy the Pleasures of Gardening in Small Spaces

Many people who live in apartments or condos forego the pleasures of gardening because they think they don't have the room. Container gardening is an easy and efficient way to enjoy many of the same benefits as traditional gardening and anyone can do it regardless of where you live. Fill a pot, basket - even an old tire with colorful flowers for a foolproof, hassle free garden. All you need is a little TLC and a bit of guidance and you'll have a container garden that all of your friends and family will envy.

First of all, become familier with the different types of containers so that you choose one to best fit your needs. Containers can be anything - traditional ones such as clay pots or wooden window boxes to the not-so-traditional, like old tires, baskets and wheelbarrows. I once planted flowers in one of my nephews old tennis shoes! The main thing to remember is that all containers must have good drainage. Regardless of the type, they must have at least one drainage hole. Then it is best to put some kind of "feet" under the container (bricks or a terra cotta saucer.) This is so the water can drain easily out of the bottom. It also helps to cover the hole inside the pot with a bit of broken pottery to facilitate steady drainage. Clay pots are classic, but they're very pourous, so water evaporates quickly in the heat. Plastic containers are lightweight and easy to move around. Wood and ceramic are also good choices. Let your pots make a statement, much as you would a new piece of furniture for your home. Remember - a cast iron urn says "formal" while a wooden barrel says "rustic."

You should fill your container with three key ingredients - a good quality potting soil or soilless potting mix, water-retaining crystals and a slow-release granular fertilizer (try to choose one specificially for containers.) You shouldn't use soil from your garden because generally plants in your garden are different from container plants. Leave one or two inches between the soil and the top of the pot so there's room to water without soil spilling out of the container. When placing plants in the container, a good rule of thumb is to think in terms of three rings: a center plant (usually the tallest plant,) then a ring of plants that cluster around the center plant and finally, an outer ring of plants to drape over the edge of the container.

Some good choices for the centerpiece plant are pennisetums, large cannas, banana plants, elephant's ears, guzmania and colocasias. For the second "layer" of mounding plants, try hens and chicks, sage, ageratum, coral bells, black mondo grass, geraniums, verbena or dahlias (the shorter varieties.) Finally, for the outer ring, some good choices are sweet potato vine, draping verbena, coleus, petunias, nasturtiums, creeping sedum, thyme and sprawling geraniums. Of course, these are just some suggestions - anything goes in container gardening. One of my favorites is to just fill a big pot with lavender and a few thyme plants to spill over the side. I enjoy geraniums in my window boxes because they come in a variety of vibrant colors and last way into the fall. Enjoy the process and over time you'll learn which combinations you like and what works best for you.

One final note is to remember pots tend to dry out very quickly, so water, water, water! Early morning and evening are the best times to water. Experiment and have fun - you can't go wrong with container gardening. Like painting - you're the artist and if you don't like the way something looks, just pull out the plants and start all over! Soon you will be on your way to a hassle free container garden you can be proud of and enjoy all summer long!

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Patio Gardening in Containers

Tips on Growing a Garden in a Small Space

More and more of us are moving into homes without a lot of sprawling real estate. The reasons may include: 1)lower monthly mortgage payment, 2) property less costly to maintain, or 3) it requires less upkeep. Many families live happily in urban condos, lofts or apartments. Even single family homes today have smaller yards and in some instances only a patio.

But having a small space does not mean a garden is out of the question. A little creative thinking can turn a boring patio into an inviting "mini farmers market", alive with color and energy! There is no need to squelch that inner gardener in you!

The Advantages of Gardening in Containers on a Patio

Gardening in a container has many advantages.

    Containers can be moved to the appropriate place on a patio. As the angle of the sun changes during the year, so can the container. If you find the plant is getting too much sun or not enough, you can find a better spot for it.

    Color and fragrance can be scattered around the space, filling it with energy and ambiance.

    When a change of residence is made, container gardens can move with you and bring certain memories with them. My hanging pothos once dripped water on my ex-mother-in-law's head. It traveled with me to my new home, where it filled an urn proudly, as if celebrating with me my new single status!

    Container plants can be moved to showcase the most glorious in the garden. Those that are in season, with either blooms or fruit, can be moved toward the front. It is hard for most gardeners to give up on a plant, even if it has only one tiny little green shoot and I am no exception. My sickly plants take back seat to the beautiful ones, out of sight, where they will either recover or die a private death.

Gardening in Containers,(Ortho Books,1984) has been my long-time reference partner for container gardening. (If only I could have found a man so timeless!) In the "Climate and Container-grown Fruit Trees" section, it states: "planting in containers allows even tender plants far from their natural climate zone to grow well; you can move them to shelter when cold weather comes, and wheel them to a shady spot when it gets too hot."

Consider the Patio's Space When Picking Plants

Obviously, a 10 x 10 patio can only hold so much. When planning a garden for your space, it is important to keep in mind the growth potential of each plant. Also, make sure it blends in with your patio in a way that adds beauty and calm. You and your guests might avoid your patio entirely, if it has an overgrown tangle of branches poking your head and vines growing unfettered over everyone's toes.

For patios you should only choose the dwarf variety of fruit trees, which offers many choices such as orange, lemon, apple, apricot, nectarine, and even pomegranate! My grandkids love to check my dwarf nectarine tree when they visit, hoping there is a ripe one.

Almost any type of vegetable can be grown in a container on a patio, thrive and produce a good crop. You can choose from beets, eggplant, cucumbers, parsley, peppers, Swiss chard and of course, tomatoes. There are many "bush" varieties of plants now that grow less leggy and more dense for a concentrated crop.

An herb garden is a wonderful addition to your patio. Herbs are like mini vegetable plants that can be grown in individual pots or in a planter box and set on a shelf. Wherever a little space is available, your herbs can grow. They add wonderful fragrance that wifts through the air when a breeze is blowing! Additionally, if your patio has some ground soil you can plant mint or lemon thyme between stepping stones or along the patio edge where they will release fragrance when they are stepped on or brushed against. If you don't have ground soil, they can be planted in hanging baskets.

A small 10x10 space can easily hold a dwarf citrus tree, one bush tomato and one pepper plant, a cucumber vine tied strongly to a trellis in the corner, and a row of individually potted herbs such as parsley, chives, basil and thyme. Just keep an eye on growth and prune when necessary to keep everything under control.

Picking Containers for Vegetable Gardens and Fruit Orchards

Anything can be a container for your patio plants (pot, box, basket, can, bowl), but the size of the container and how well it provides drainage is important. Instructions are outlined in Garden Shed's "Clever Container Gardening Ideas" on Better Homes and Gardens website: "When choosing containers, remember that they need proper drainage to prosper. Drill drainage holes in the bottom of your planter. Then layer pebbles or shards from broken terra-cotta pots on the bottom to prevent the plant's roots from clogging the holes".

According to my trusty, dog-eared Gardening in Containers, "Choosing Containers" section, dwarf citrus trees should be planted in containers about the same size as its root ball. However, If the soil is well drained, it can be larger by 3 to 4 inches. They suggest bare root trees should be planted in containers the size of a 5-gallon can.

Since the container may be a long-term home for the tree, it is wise to sit the container on a platform with wheels or casters for easy movement as the tree gets larger.

From my own experience, vegetables grow well in containers with room to grow; however, it would look silly to plant a slow growing vegetable plant in a huge pot. Research the growth expectations for the plants, i.e., the height they are expected to reach and the estimated sprawl and chose the container accordingly.

Maintenance Tips for Your Container Garden

If you want to have a fruitful crop in your mini farmers market, you must be aware of the soil, fertilizing, pruning and watering requirements that are best for the types of plants you have chosen. Information is readily available in print form and online. One such site is Scotts Miracle-Gro's website.

You can make your own organic soil or buy a commercial brand, which might be composed of sand and an organic mixture containing all or some of the following: peat moss, shavings, sawdust or bark. Some gardeners add rich loam to the mixture to hold the water better, or some of their own compost. Once the plant is in the soil and container, it can be topped with bark chips or peat moss to further improve the moisture retention.

All plants require regular watering, with care given not to overwater but also to never let the root ball dry out completely. If the plant is wilting at all, water immediately, as all plants can dry out quickly in containers. Learning how to properly prune a tree is essential also, as is the seasonal timing of when it is done. According to the Fruit Tree Nursery Website, "If we don't prune them correctly, then we will have an odd shaped tree and unhealthy fruit".

Some fruit trees require fertilizer and others are self-fertile, so do your research. A weak solution of fertilizer and water can usually be applied to vegetable plants every other watering. The best advice I ever got was to just look at the plant. If it is growing and bursting with new little green shoots and buds, you are probably doing things right. If it looks sickly, you might need to step up your game and expend a little TLC.

You Are the Gardner!

There are many plants perfect for your container garden, but making a success of it depends on you. Good plant choices that are thoroughly researched, along with consistent, loving care will provide delicacies you'll have on the family dinner table in no time....and YOU can take all the credit!

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