Photo byVietnam Tri Duong onPexels
Just because your patio is small doesn't mean that you can't be innovative!
There is no need to try to put too much stuff in your limited area. You don’t need to use all the available space and end up with lots of crowded plants. Be selective and intentional to develop a beautiful patio without doing too much. Here is a helpful guideline to follow when selecting plants.
1. Consult Your Neighbors
Before heading to the nursery, check out your neighborhood to see what plants are thriving. If a plant seems to be doing well in your area, it has a good root system established there and your conditions are also good for that plant's growth. If you discuss with your neighbors about what plants have worked (or not) for them, it will help you save both time and money.
2. Assess Your Outdoor Space
Your next step is to carefully examine the amount of sunlight your patio receives and the quality of that sunlight. You should see if the sunlight is strong enough to burn plant material. Evaluate the wind patterns, the amount of shade from surrounding structures and how the rain affects your space.
This evaluation will help you choose the appropriate plants to avoid purchasing plants that will not survive in that environment. For example, if your patio is sunny, you could use drought-resistant plants or flowering varieties.
If your patio is shaded, you may want to use ferns or other plants that prefer shade. If you have limited floor space, you will want to use vertical gardening. Climbing plants that can be supported by an H Potter trellis for climbing plants add vertical plant material without taking away from your seating area.
3. Discover What Plants are In Season
Another way to help improve the chances of success at your patio garden is to only purchase plants that are in season. Since the seasons are tied to the climate, in-season plants will be easier to care for and less expensive to buy.
You can achieve year-round color by combining plants that bloom or have great foliage at different times of the year. By intermixing these varieties, your patio garden will always look interesting and inviting.
4. Find Out What Plants Like and Need
Research before you purchase any plants. Specific requirements exist for each plant, including the amount of sunlight, how often to water them, what kind of soil they prefer, how the water drains from their roots, and how they will grow. The size of a given species will greatly impact your patio's design. If the species gets too large for your patio, your patio may appear to be overrun with the plant. To help determine how large a given species will become, ask how frequently it needs to be pruned.
Endnote
When you approach your small patio thoughtfully, you can transform it to meet your needs. Being observant of the space, using seasonal planning, and knowledge of plant care needs can help ensure that your small patio is a well-designed space and not over-grown. If done correctly, the small outdoor area will become not only a beautiful add-on to your home but also a place to rest and recharge.
