My first garden is rather small: Help Design! :D

14 years ago

Hello everyone! :D

I am going to be moving into a new (not so new) condo and will be able to finally have an outside garden.

The area is small about 10 or 12ft x 8ft, pictures below. The building is 2 stories high so there is not much light until around 12pm. I receive direct sun in the afternoon on the northeast patch of open ground and partial sun in the other areas.

Here are some of my ideas, suggestions welcome!

On the west side there is a tall wooden fence, with the 3 to 4inch ground space before the sidewalk, I was thinking either planting a vine like clematis or coral vine, or maybe plant cannas. However, I think that putting cannas in big pots around the small patio would look better and would make for easier transportation later. Any other suggestions for something in this small area? (Partial light in the morning into afternoon)

Suggestions are welcome! :D

North side

North close up, these two stumps can be moved

{{gwi:41421}}

Northeast: Since the northeast patch gets the most light I want something that flowers. I know very little about flowering plants and am open to suggestions! Possibly something fragrant and bright colored? Again, something that can be placed in a container and possibly mix plants. Can shrubs be placed into pots? Because I really liked a couple plants that have been mentioned to me before in other forums such as dwarf Hibiscus rosa-sinensi, Tibouchina urvilleana, or perhaps Brugmansia. However, I am afraid these will get too big for my area.(Partial light in the morning with direct sun in the afternoon and then back to partial/ shade in the evening)

{{gwi:41423}}

Northwest side

{{gwi:41425}}

Northwest close up - last stump on the right is able to be moved. My ideas are to use the tree stumps, I was thinking placing pots with fern, ivy or Mexican heather on top of the stumps; I want something that will vine down the pot and tree stump. (Partial light in the morning into the evening)

South side, I think this rain gutter will cause a problem. I do not want to plant anything and then it get drowned. What about a fountain or sculpture there? Along with some ivys or ferns (because they need little light). I like the idea of monkey grass lining the sidewalk and the bricks. But other than that I dont really have any ideas. I would like to keep these brick for my mini grill. There is an over hang from the second floor, shading most of this area. Someone mentioned shade loving plants and that I could use hosta to plant a circle, and for the inside plant some flowering plants. I LOVE this idea but don't know much about hostas or shade loveing flowering plants. Ideas? Can hostas be planted in pots? (Very little light in the morning, partial light in the afternoon into evening)

{{gwi:41429}}

If you have a different idea please let me know! :)

I visited my neighbor on and he has a container garden, which is what influence me to change my mind to containers rather than digging. I would still be able to do bulbs and such in pots. I want to have hanging baskets and lots of pots with bulbs or mix plants. I don't know what works together so please give me some ideas. I want a beautiful, fragrant and colorful garden.

Thank you and I hope to hear from a lot of you! :D

Ashley

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Comments (7)

Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Ashley, it would help us if we knew your climate. Like where are you? what grows here, might not grow there. I'm a foodie and I love beautiful plants that give back! Like roses, figs, grapes, pomegranates, olives, all in containers, of course. And for vines on the wall, how about some nicely scented jasmine. If you decided to grow some fruit type trees, no rules that say you can't tuck pansies, iris, or any other thing you love in those pots, and google high density planting. You will be amazed. A drip system (cheap at Home Depot) is essential for containers. All you have to do is fertilize now and then, and enjoy.
Suzi
ashley_plant_addict
Original Author
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Hi desert, I completely forgot to put where I am from. I am in zone 8, Dallas TX to be exact. I found a website that offered information on plants that grow in texas but most of them were wild flowers and grass.

What is a drip system? Is it for soil to drain quickly as to not rot the roots?

Thanks
Ashley
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tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Ashley - are we sure the previous owner didn't treat these areas with a soil sterilent? What is growing in the soil now?

Al
ashley_plant_addict
Original Author
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Al,
This is my parents old condo, my mom had big plans for this space and never planted anything. The green you see in the pictures are weeds. You should have seen the 5' tall weeds that were taking over. What is soil sterilent? Does it cause the soil to be bad for plants. Should I be worried about the soil if I am going to make this a container garden?

Thanks
Ashley
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Not if you'll make it a container garden. Often, people tire quickly of pulling weeds between cracks in paving & bricks, so apply a vegetation killer that sterilizes the soil for a looooong time and leaves residual traces for years. I just wanted you to be sure that hadn't occurred before you actually plant anything in the soil. Forgive me if I didn't read thoroughly. ;o)

I saw your email, btw, but I'm really behind in getting back to those that have written. Even my close friends are wondering. Sorting out the lists after the lightning is WAY more time consuming than I thought it would be, but I won't forget you. ;o)

TTYL, Al
Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
A drip system has a timer on it, and attaches to your hose outlet. It has an emitter that goes to each plant and gives them sweet water on whatever day and time you wish. It's automatic. You can live your day and not worry.
User
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Hi Ashley,
First question I have is, do you have a water spiget out back?
If not, you would have to water from a watering can from inside? right?
Does that rain gutter drain out right into your yard out back?
Many condos do not have acess to a water spigot at all, but if that gutter drains right out into the yard, you might not need one.
Research online on google rain barrel.
You can make one using a trashcan from Walmart or Kmart, there are instructions online, and you can water your plants (not vegtable plants)with this water right outside in your garden. Pretty conveient for you.
I love the idea of using those tree stumps the way you described. Go to a garden center and see what you can get for them.
You can also plant trees in pots.
Crepe myrtle will probably grow good for you in a pot, and you'll love the flowers, put that pot in the most sun.
Read, read and read more on this forum.
There is a wealth of info on these subjects.
Good Luck to you and please post pics of the garden when you get a chance.

My first garden is rather small: Help Design! :D

Comments (7)

Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b

ashley_plant_addict
Original Author

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tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)

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Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b

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My first garden is rather small: Help Design! :D

Comments (7)

Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b

ashley_plant_addictOriginal Author

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tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)

ashley_plant_addictOriginal Author

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)

Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b

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ashley_plant_addict
Original Author

ashley_plant_addict
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