How To Make The Most Out Of Your Autumn Small Garden

Entry #2848, September 20, 2013

Not all of us can be blessed with acres of rolling hills in our back garden, for most of us we have to make do with a much smaller space. However, there are plenty of positives from having a smaller garden; they’re not only easier to maintain but also much cheaper too!  The main challenge for small gardens is how to create an outdoor small garden space that doesn’t feel overcrowded yet uses available space effectively. Small garden-holders can be tempted to try and pack everything in to get your money’s worth, instead, pick a design a stick with it!

How will you tend to your autumn small garden?

Image via: Houzz

Before you start thinking of ideas for your garden, calling in a landscaper and paving the whole thing it might be worth assessing your situation and asking yourself a few questions first. For example, if you have children the main purpose of your garden might be very different to if you’re retired and wanting to enjoy time in your garden. Once you’ve answered this it might help you decide whether you want the majority of your garden to be grass, paving or decking and what other features you might want to include.

Traditional lawn

Keeping it traditional with a lawn and flowerbeds around the perimeter is definitely still an option for smaller gardens. Traditional doesn’t necessarily mean boring either – a healthy lawn can help give a back garden a lift.

Ensure your lawn, flower beds and landscaping are kept up

Image via: Austin Outdoor Design

Decking in your small garden

Using wooden decking in your back garden is a great and hassle-free option for smaller gardens. A deck doesn’t have to be boring though a decent decking paint available from Ronseal will brighten up your back garden. However, there are a few rules you need to follow before you get the paintbrush out –

1)     Make sure the wood is clean and dry before you paint

2)     Remove all loose nails

3)     Fill any holes

Over colder months wooden decking will need maintaining; using teak oil such as the Ronseal Version will restore and protect the wood’s original nutrients lost through weathering.

Helpful tips for your small garden

Image via: Robin Amorello, CKD CAPS – Atmoscaper Design

Small Garden paving ideas around your outdoor home

Paving often conjures up images of huge breeze blocks and ugly gardens but paving your back garden can be a stylish addition to your garden. Rather than big paving stones which can overpower small gardens, go for smaller shapes such as

A couple more tips to maximise space in your small garden:

Keep garden furniture in proportion with the rest of your garden. Large, bulky furniture will swallow up all available space!

Look upwards! If you’re interested in growing your own plants/flowers/vegetables but don’t have room to squeeze in a flowerbed or a vegetable patch, potted plants, wall hangings and window boxes are ingenious ways of saving on floor space. Tomatoes, salad, strawberries, cucumbers, runner beans and squash are all pot-friendly.

Get clever with paint! White or cream coloured garden walls will give off an airy feel to a garden whilst a dark wall at the very end of your garden will give the illusion of a never ending garden.

Having a small garden doesn’t have to be a burden, it’s all about what you do with the garden to maximise the space!

For more gardening tips on Stagetecture, click here.