If you’re feeling under or over whelmed with what to do to dress up, plant, or make sense of your small garden space, it’s time to get your inspiration flowing. In this post, (Part 1) we give you 5 steps that will get your engine started. The idea is to let your creative juices flow, and to explore your likes and dislikes when it comes to plants, outdoor furniture, texture, color, style, material… You get the idea!
For the moment, forget that it’s a tiny space and just imagine the possibilities. Learning what you like when it comes to plants, furniture, garden styles, etc, is an essential first step, that many people don’t consider.
So let’s get started…
Step 1: Get Ideas Online
The obvious start is to go online and visit some photo sharing sites like Pinterest, Flickr and Google Images.
In the screenshot below, from Pinterest, we searched using the phrase “small garden space,” and as you can see, up came a slew of photos, largely of gardens neatly designed into outdoor rooms and also vertical garden designs. Pinterest tends to have quite a bit of description and text which can be very helpful. We also found a good selection of photos using Google Images.
Step 2: Regional Garden Ideas to Get More Localized
To get the pulse on gardening in your local area plan to visit sooner rather than later your local botanical garden if you have one, or any parks nearby that you enjoy. Maybe there’s a garden or two in your area or neighborhood that’s caught your eye. If you’ve not noticed this before, take a look and see what’s caught your interest and gotten you to stop. Take photos of gardens, plants and any elements of a garden that pleases you the most. You may find it helpful to jot down notes such as: an address, what you liked (or didn’t).
Step 3: Go to your Local Nursery and/or Garden Center
Now that you’ve had a look around, both online and offline, visit your local nursery to see what selection of plants are available and grow well in your area. Take photos and jot down any favorites or anything that makes you feel jealous that they have it and you don’t! Notice the types of plants within, including: Natives, vegetable starts, herbs, perennials, tree, shrubs, vines, ground covers. Take notes, if you go to a lot of different stores as you won’t remember where you saw this or that.
Step 4: Spend Time in Your Garden
There’s no better way to get to know your garden than spending time in it. Do so at different times of day, and observe things like sun and shade, wildlife, and wind. Notice what’s growing. Do you have a favorite area? Make garden notes and include the current season.
Step 5: Picture How you Want to Enjoy your Garden Space
Let your imagination run, even if your right brain tells you that you don’t have the space, budget, resources etc. Make notes of things you’d like to do in your future garden space, for example: to entertain with an outdoor dining space, to relax and read a book, to play outdoor games, to get the kids outside, to grow fruit, herbs and vegetables.
Following these steps to Inspiration, you can then look to the next steps, which will make it easier for you to convert your inspiration into a simple garden plan.
Go broad, the Internet gives you access to the whole world of gardening with pictures and interest. The key to get going is to begin by taking a good look at what you like.
Enjoy,