Coming up with small backyard garden ideas can be quite the challenge when you are limited in space. Whether you live in a townhouse, a house in the city with no grass, or just don’t have a large backyard, we have 19 small backyard garden ideas that will maximize your backyards space.
As the owner of a small backyard, I was struggling trying to find places to start a flower garden without making the backyard feel too cluttered. After living here for three years, I have tried several different gardening ideas and have come up with solutions to gardening in a small backyard and am here to share them with you.
In this blog post, we will show you 19 small backyard garden ideas that will help you get an aesthetically pleasing gardening without sacrificing any unnecessary space in your small backyard. From small backyard garden ideas on a budget to small courtyard garden ideas, we have a garden idea that will defiantly suit your space.
This blog post is all about small backyard garden ideas.
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Best Small Backyard Garden Ideas
1. Vertical Vegetable Garden Idea
In a small backyard opt for space saving techniques like growing your plants and vegetables vertically! Growing your plants vertically allows you to save additional floor space or grass space. We love this small backyard garden idea for townhomes or apartment balconies or just small backyards.
BEST PLANTS TO GROW VERTICALLY:
- TOMATOES
- CUCUMBERS
- SQUASH
- GOURDS
- BEANS
- IVY
- ORCHIDS
- CLIMBING ROSES
2. Add a Water Feature
Add a decorative element to your small backyard that is both calming and pretty to look at. We have a water fountain in our small backyard garden area and the water dripping down is the most peaceful sound while we relax in our yard. Opt for floor water fountains to avoid taking up too much space in your garden.
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3. Raised Garden Bed Idea
A raised garden bed is ideal for small backyards that do not have any grass or limited space to plant in the ground. We love raised garden beds because they are high up enough so that critters won’t get into your plants as easily and you can grow almost any plant you desire in them. We also love that you don’t have to bend down to the ground to prune your plants and maintain your garden.
BEST PLANTS TO GROW IN RAISED BEDS:
- TOMATOES
- PEPPERS
- ONIONS
- PANSIES
- PETUNIAS
- CARROTS
- BEETS
- RADISHES
- CABBAGE
4. Ladder Herb Garden
Herbs are perfect to grow in small backyards if you want to start your very own garden that is both functional and beautiful. We high recommend an herb garden if you are limited in space because they do not require too much growing room.
BEST HERBS TO GROW IN SMALL SPACES:
- CHIVES
- SAGE
- THYME
- BASIL
- SAGE
- OREGANO
- MINT
- CILANTRO
- PARSLEY
5. Hanging Flower Garden In A Small Backyard
One of the best small backyard gardening ideas is to hang your plants to avoid taking up any additional space in your yard. Utilize hanging baskets on your front porch or against your fence to display your favorite seasonal flowers.
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6. Pot Vegetable Garden
Start your very own space saving vegetable garden by planting your favorite vegetables in pots! This is an awesome gardening idea if you rent your home or live in an apartment and don’t have any ground space. Be sure that your vegetables are getting the proper amount of sunlight wherever you decide to place your pots. Remember, that gardening may require some trial and error so you may need to test out which areas your plants thrive in the most.
BEST VEGETABLES TO GROW IN POTS:
- TOMATOES
- LETTUCE
- PEPPERS
- PEAS
- CARROTS
- ONIONS
- SPINACH
7. Potted Trees
Trees can also be placed in pots if you are limited in backyard space. Create a cluster of potted plants like this one or just place on singular tree on your patio to add some beautiful greenery.
BEST TREES TO PLANT IN POTS:
- JAPANESE MAPLE TREE
- AMELANCHIER
- DWARF CONIFERS
- BAY TREE
- CREPE MYRTLE
- OLIVE TREE
- CAMELLIA
8. Small Backyard Garden Idea Against Fence
One of the best places to start a garden or plant your landscaping is against your fence. Plant an assortment of seasonal flowers and shrubs to your fence to add visual interest to your small backyard.
10. Garden Wall
If you live in a city, a townhouse or just somewhere with no backyard space, this small backyard garden idea is for you. Make the most out of your space by creating a vertical garden that goes all the way up a wall in your backyard. This is ideal for herbs and vegetables that only need a few inches of soil to grow in.
BEST PLANTS TO GROW IN SHALLOW SOIL:
- SPINACH
- PANSIES
- DWAF MARIGOLDS
- CHARD
- LETTUCE
11. Small Backyard Garden Ideas on a Budget
The best way to save money on landscaping and gardening is to do it yourself. Stick to a budget by going to the nursery and creating your very own garden area. Be sure to select your plants based off the conditions they will be living in such as sunlight, soil quality and the amount of space they need to grow in.
12. DIY String Light Post
Get the best of both worlds by adding some cozy lighting and beautiful flowers to your small backyard. Hang your string lights from lamp posts and secure them on the bottoms with a planter filled with flowers. For more added decoration, hang flower baskets to your poles as an easy and space saving way to incorporate more flowers into your yard.
13. Create A Garden Around a Tree
Design a garden around your tree to add visual interest to your small backyard. We suggest planting perennial plants around your tree and creating a mulch ring for them to be displayed in.
PERENNIAL PLANT SUGGESTIONS:
- PEONIES
- LAVENDER
- FOX GLOVE
- DAYLILLY
- ASTER
- CONEFLOWER
14. Small Backyard Garden Seating Area
Incorporate a small seating area in your garden for you and your guests to relax and admire your backyard.
15. Start A Container Garden
Start your very own vegetable garden in a small container on your balcony or patio. Enjoy the fruits of your labor by incorporating the fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet and recipes.
BEST VEGETABLES FOR CONTAINER GARDENING:
- TOMATOES
- PEPPERS
- SQUASH
- CUCUMBERS
- LETTUCE
- STRAWBERRIES
16. Tiered Containers
Opt for a pot that has tiered levels to allow you to grow different types of plants in one pot. This is perfect for succulents, herbs and small vegetables.
17. Window Box Planter
Spruce up your home’s exterior in your small backyard by adding window boxes underneath your windows.
BEST PLANTS FOR WINDOW BOXES:
- ZINNIAS
- PETUNIA
- MARIGOLD
- HOSTAS
- TRUMPET VINE
- SWEET POTATO VINE
- IMPATIENS
- COLEUS
- CREEPING JENNY
- SALVIA
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18. Create a Garden Along A Pathway
Enhance any walkways or stepping stones by creating a garden area on either side of it. This creates a grander entrance to your backyard therefore making it appear larger than it really is.
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19. Incorporate Rocks Into Your Garden
Add visual interest into your small backyard by incorporating rocks into your landscape design or garden area. The rocks will add dimension to the space and also prevent any weeds or unwanted grass to grow through the area.
This blog post is all about small backyard garden ideas.
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