Tiny Space, Green Dreams: A Beginner's Guide to Gardening Anywhere

Spring has arrived, and so has the irresistible urge to start planting and turn even the smallest space into your perfect green haven. Whether you are looking to create a beautiful outdoor space or harvest your own home-grown food, now is the time to get started.

Getting Started

The most inexpensive way to garden is starting your plants from seeds. All you need is some seed compost, a seed tray (or some old Tupperware) and a sunny windowsill. Grab yourself some seeds and you will find all the information you need on the back of the packet.

However, nurturing seeds may be a little too high-maintenance for you, especially if you are a new gardener. For an easier route to plant parenthood, head down to your nearest garden centre to get some small plants to repot. Independently owned stores are best as the staff there will be knowledgeable and happy to answer any questions.

What If You Only Have a Small Space?

If you are limited in space, container gardening is the easiest way to get started. Anything can act as a pot as long as it has drainage holes, so it’s time to get crafty. An old bucket and a drill is step one to a charming display.

Keep in mind that the smaller the container, the more you will need to water. So, go as big as you can for your area.

What Grows Well in Containers?

Almost anything can grow in a container (yes, even trees!). Check the plant label for its full maturity size to ensure it fits well in your container and your surroundings.

If you only have windowsill space, give some herbs a home. They will thrive in small containers if watered consistently and provide you with an abundance of flavour throughout the whole season. Basil and Coriander are perfect for the warm weather.

Want a pop of cheap and cheerful colour? Head to the bedding plants (also known as annuals) section of the garden centre. My personal favourites are pansies and violas. These small plants will offer an abundant display of flowers but only last for one growing season.

Looking for colour year after year? Check out patio roses which are perfectly small for pots.

Considerations

One thing you will need to take into consideration when choosing plants is the orientation of your area. A south-facing balcony will get sunlight all day, however if your space faces north, this will remain in shade.

So take a good look at the space you have, and find plants that will work well there. You don’t want to pick a sun-loving plant and then watch it struggle when it can’t get the sunlight it needs.

Ferns and hostas love shady corners and have the most striking leaves. If you prefer florals, then foxgloves and fuschias are great shade-loving options.

Sun-loving flowers such as Dahlias make a huge, colourful impact, or go more subtle with salvias if you want to attract pollinators.  Beans also love the sun, but make sure you buy a dwarf variety unless you have something for them to climb up.

Watering is another key factor to consider. In the hottest part of summer, most of your plants will need watering every day especially those in full sun.

This may all seem super overwhelming, but gardening is a great lesson in patience and letting go of control. You won’t get it right in your first growing season, so don’t take it too seriously. Do your best and take the lessons you learned this season into next summer. Every gardener’s first years are filled with trial and error so the main thing is to just get started.

Written by Lexie Day