Balcony, patio, and courtyards, being relatively confined areas, does not mean you cannot have a garden - it just makes for a different kind of gardening . Any available space can be a garden. One plant in a pot in the corner - is a garden. In fact, small space gardening is only limited by ones' imagination, with the incorporation of decorative pots, containers, half barrels and the like. Recycled materials, such as old wheelbarrows, watering-cans, or discarded leaky bird-baths, can be revitalised with a coat of paint and put to good use - provided they can hold soil and can drain excess water.
Planning a Confined Space Garden.
There are a few matters to be taken into consideration, when planning your area. Firstly, considering the amount of available space - what is it that you want to do in this area? Is it to be a vegetable garden, herbs for the kitchen, an entertainment area, or just somewhere to relax. Next, really look at what you have here. Where is the entrance, the doors to the house, sheds, or anything else that is permanently placed? Is there anything here that is in fact useless - the broken bench that you never got around to fixing, that statue ( that everyone remarks upon - because it is So ugly), paint it or fix it, or get rid of it.
Take a chair and sit down, move it around, and think about where this feels right, for you. Do you want to be smack-bang in the middle? Maybe you want to feel a little bit hidden from the rest of the house - a little nook, maybe? This is where you put the furniture, in that place you will spend most of you time when out there. Is the area big enough, for that bench you have had your eye on? Other features? A pond, perhaps, a butterfly garden, herbs, somewhere for birds, a fernery? If some of your features are large planters, possibly made from stone; take your time about where it is going, as once it is filled with soil, it will be too heavy to easily move - should you change your mind.
Creating Your Pocket Garden.
Soil.
Pre-mixed potting soil from the garden centers is best. A lesser weight to carry, sterilized to prevent weed seeds from germinating, and contains a lot of peat moss - this helps to retain moisture and loosens the soil, so that it doesnt compact in pots.
Containers.
Containers made from lighter weight materials such as fibreglass are ideal for roof or balcony gardens. Styles of containers include, all manner of decorative pots, hanging baskets, wirework stands and baskets, wood window boxes, sinks, troughs, galvanized buckets, old shoes or boots, bathtubs, old tires, and all manner of recycled objects.
Watering.
Check container plants regularly, as they will dry out more often than a conventional garden - especially if you are using terra-cotta pots. Ensure pots have drainage holes, as roots sitting in water will drown. If you garden on a balcony sit plants on something to catch the water so that it doesnt run down on your neighbours. Mulch-your-containers, using pea-straw, or anything that comes to hand. There is a whole range of coloured stones and pebbles available these days - not only providing less loss of moisture, but look pretty good, too.
Fertiliser.
With more frequent watering, container plants require fertiliser on a more consistent basis than plants in the ground do. Also, with the amount of soil being limited, it therefore becomes depleted of nutrients quicker. Sea-weed, or fish-emulsion liquid fertilisers are excellent in this situation. Slow release fertilisers, such as the granulated sort, are also excellent.
Relative Size.
Proportion, is extremely important in small space gardening. By this I mean, the size of the plant compared to the size of the container. A single small plant in a half-barrel, will look a little lost; similarly, a stand of Bamboo, in a window box, will not only look awkward, but will also be very hard to manage.
A Microclimate is an area loosley defined by the effect upon it, by its environment; and therefore planted accordingly. So, those areas mostly shaded, say, by the fence ,the side of the house, or a large tree - are planted out with plants that prefer more shade, like ferns, orchids, hydrangeas or fuschias. As you gradualy extend out from this area, so more sun is available; and hardier plants are put in, like impatiens, azaleas or lilacs. Moving still further out, those plants which prefer full sun, like petunias, iris, daisies and the like. If all you have is shade, then plant all things that like shade. This is where pots come into their own, they can be moved from one spot to another, as needs must.
Function.
When creating small space gardens, you are actually creating an extension of your house - this is just another room, only very different. Be imaginative here, be playful - add coloured chairs, cushions and objet d'art. Maybe, put largish planters on small trolleys and rotate them around the area, as suits your mood.
Focal point.
Create a focal point such as a large pot, plant or tree, a water feature, or a dwarf bougainvillea for a long lasting and stunning display. You could create a little nook or arbour somewhere, placing a small statuette in there - just waitng to be discovered by the inquisitive. You could have a water cascade and secrete it behind some vines, giving that pleasant water sound an edge of mysteriousness. You are only limited by your imagination here, albeit on a small scale.
Lighting.
Fairy Lights or those small Christmas Lights hidden in plants and interwoven throughout a vined trellis, are a delightful effect. Directional Lighting with small spotlights can focus attention on a particular area for evening entertaining, combined with low wattage lights along the path, can be quite stunning. A small Spot-Light, pointing at a water feature, has quite an affect as the light reflects off the water, giving unusual highlights.
Hopefully, this article has given you some ideas about, how to garden in confined areas.
