Eco-Friendly Garden Designs For Small Spaces

Caring for Earth is not a hippie thing, it’s a survival thing — Expanded Consciousness

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I enjoy glossing over the pages of garden magazines and books.

The sight of lush lawns, surrounded by hedges and a medley of flowers, as they extend for miles on end, takes me on a journey filled with both inspiration and envy.

Recently, I was browsing through a book I bought at a second-hand bookstore. What dawned on me was the lack of design ideas for those living in small spaces, myself included.

A few of my friends living in apartments have adopted a plant-forward approach, but feel limited in how to best use their space.

When they reach out to me for gardening advice, I share sustainable approaches as best as possible.

So while I’m still manifesting my 10-acre piece of land, I’m going to share with you functional ways to set up an eco-friendly oasis.

But First, What Is Eco-Friendly Gardening?

Eco-friendly gardening, also referred to as sustainable gardening, is an approach that involves using organic and natural techniques to reduce the negative impact on the environment while providing a healthy and productive garden.

Sustainable gardeners seek to preserve the ecosystem and maintain biodiversity.

So, how can you start your quest as a green garden ninja? Follow the tips below.

1. Choose compact and multipurpose plants

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Compact plants are those bred to grow smaller or serve multiple functions. They provide shade and food or serve ornamental purposes.

When looking to add compact and multipurpose plants, consider:

• Low-maintenance plants: Look for plants that can thrive in an array of conditions. Those that don’t require frequent watering, fertilizing, or pest control. For example, cacti can store water and survive in dry conditions.
• Herbs: Herbs are versatile. You can use them as culinary or ornamental plants. They’re fragrant too. Prune them to regulate their spread, or propagate them to establish new plants.
• Multifunctional trees: I believe a gardener living in confined spaces should have a tree or two. Something manageable like dwarf peach or lemon trees will do. They improve air quality around your home and attract wildlife.

2. Use vertical space

A great way to maximize space is by growing plants upwards rather than outwards. You can use trellises or walls to create the style.

Here’s the design in action.

• Create trellises: You can make these structures from wood or metal. They can be free-standing or placed against the wall. They’re ideal for climbing plants like tomatoes or beans.
• Hang baskets: This setup involves growing plants from overhead structures like porches. Trailing plants, like Swedish ivy, create a visually appealing effect just outside the front door.
• Stack containers: This concept involves stacking plant pots of different sizes on top of each other. The containers can be made from various materials like terracotta or plastic. When stacking, ensure you allow for drainage and can access each pot.

3. Encourage Wildlife

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The sound of birds chirping and bees buzzing as they hop from one flower to the next makes time spent in the garden worthwhile.

Wildlife is important for various reasons.

They pollinate plants and control pests. Here’s how you can invite more friendly creatures into your garden.

• Provide food: By providing nectar-rich flowers, you can attract various pollinators like birds and bees. I noticed bees love lavender and basil flowers. So consider growing lavender and let the basil bloom before you harvest it.

You can also install bird feeders and use them for other creatures except birds. A friend of mine manufactures bird feeders and supplies them to pet stores.
He told me one of the store owners mentioned that if you want to attract squirrels, you can add peanuts to bird feeders.

• Create habitat: Grow dense plants for tiny creatures to hide. You can also create bush piles–heaps of twigs, leaves, or organic matter. For a more stable structure, you can use rocks and logs.
• Plant native species: Native plants not only provide food and shelter but require less maintenance than non-natives. Consider adding more native plants to attract wildlife adapted to your local environment.
• Avoid chemicals: Avoid using pesticides and herbicides. These chemicals can be harmful to pollinators and beneficial insects. The residue lingers on the surface of the plants and can repel creatures trying to access the nectar.

4. Harvest Rainwater

I often have a couple of used food-grade buckets lying around, and use them to collect rainwater.

I should invest in a large water tank.

Harvesting rainwater is beneficial for a couple of reasons:

• Conserves water: It reduces the amount of water you need to use from other sources, like municipal water supplies. It’s also a smart way to not find yourself in a crisis should you experience a short supply of water.
• Better for plants: Rainwater is free of chlorine and other nasty chemicals, making it a healthier option.

Plants are happier and more vibrant after a couple of rain showers. Photo by Author

5. Compost, compost, compost

By composting, you’re able to collect food scraps and biodegradable matter and feed them to the soil.

Compost:

• Reduces waste: You can turn organic waste into a valuable resource for your garden.
• Improves soil quality: Natural fertilizer is rich in nutrients and minerals plants need to thrive. Adding compost to the garden improves soil structure, fertility, and water-holding capacity.
• Promotes biodiversity: The soil is home to a variety of microorganisms and beneficial insects that help break down organic matter. These creatures aerate the earth to create a prosperous garden.

Compost promotes earthworms. Photo by Author

What you need to compost:

• Container to hold organic matter
• A mix of brown and green material. Brown material can be leaves, wood chips, or paper. Green material includes fruit and vegetable scraps, or grass clippings.
• Soil

Method

1. Layer soil and brown and green material in the container.
2. Drench the combination with water.
3. Over time, the material will break down, creating a mature compost, a.k.a “black gold”. Add the compost to your garden as a soil amendment, or blend it with your potting mix.

Takeaway

Composting your kitchen waste, incorporating plants to encourage wildlife, and harvesting rainwater are great ways to create an eco-friendly garden.

Sustainable gardening is not only beneficial to the tiny creatures you wish to attract, but for you as well. If you’re a food gardener, you’ll be conscious of what goes into your body because you’ve eliminated the use of harsh chemicals.

I’m always eager to learn new ways to make my garden more eco-friendly. What techniques have you successfully used?