How to garden in a small space

Lauren Bethke

Many of us in south Minneapolis have small outdoor spaces, so we need to do more with less. It can be a challenge to make space for a garden alongside everything else we use our yards for – pets, kids, patios, and more! From vertical gardening options to compact plant varieties, read on for tips and techniques that will help you make the most of your space.
My personal top tip for maximizing space in the garden is growing in containers. It may seem counterintuitive – after all, wouldn’t pots take up more space than simply planting in the ground? However, a common problem in our neighborhood is not having enough sunlight, and growing in containers makes it possible to move plants around throughout the year. As the angle of the sun changes throughout the spring and summer, you will probably find that different parts of your yard have different amounts of sun, and there may be no single area that gets full sun all year. A larger yard is more likely to have areas of sun, shade, and everything in between, but if you have a small yard with limited sun availability, it can be helpful to keep things flexible. Placing pots on rolling plant caddies can make this task a lot easier.
Another great option is growing vertically. This can be as simple as a vine growing up a trellis, or as complicated as a living wall. And think about ways to combine uses! For example, a pergola can serve a double purpose – providing shade for a deck or patio, and serving as a sturdy trellis for a beautiful vine. Clematis is a great vining plant that provides lovely foliage and flowers without being too aggressive. Or, think outside the box and grow cucumbers on your pergola!
A cool option for growing trees in a small space is using the espalier pruning technique. This works particularly well with apples and other fruit trees. Essentially, the espalier technique involves training the tree to grow flat, with a few large branches extending from each side, 180 degrees from each other. By using this technique, you can place a tree up against a fence or wall, maximizing space in the yard.
Hanging baskets are a simple and fun way to maximize garden space. Hanging baskets often require more frequent watering, as the increased air flow can cause them to dry out faster than plants in the ground or in a container. On the other hand, this can be beneficial for plants that prefer dryer conditions, like moss roses, succulents, or Mediterranean herbs like rosemary or thyme. Or, you could place a hanging basket in the shade to reduce water loss and grow shade-friendly plants like coleus. If you install sturdy hooks for hanging baskets on the side of a fence or garage, this can be a great way to add plants without taking up space on the ground.
In addition to physically placing plants to maximize space, you can also choose the plants themselves with space considerations in mind. Although growing pumpkins and watermelon can be fun, they take up a lot of space and don’t yield a lot of produce at the end of the season. If you want to get the most out of your garden, think about smaller, high-yielding vegetables. Leafy greens can be planted in a small space, don’t need full sun, and can be harvested many times throughout the season. When considering tomatoes, “determinate” varieties are more compact, but “indeterminate” varieties can be grown vertically on a trellis - so choose wisely depending on the amount of space you have available. You can also choose plants that are both decorative and edible, like swiss chard or purple basil.
For more information, check out the University of Minnesota Extension Yard and Garden website. Extension resources are written by experts and contain the latest and most reliable research-based information. Happy gardening!