Planting A City Garden

Planting a small garden in your city space can greatly benefit yourself and the environment. A city blends different cultures and lifestyles; a city garden should do the same. Above all, a garden needs to be suited to the area. A large, natural-looking rural garden just wouldn't fit well into a busy, bustling, modern city space, and vice versa.

Planting a city garden presents some unique challenges, but once completed, it can bring life into an otherwise unwelcoming space.

In small city gardens, everything matters. Everything you plant should have a purpose for being there. The key is to pick a style and go with it. Here are a few tips to get you started on your city garden project:

1. Use your imagination. Experiment and have fun when planning and executing your ideas.

2. Don't use too many different types of plants or materials; this will only make it look more cluttered and less cohesive.

3. Sketch out your ideas before you start planting. That way you can see how everything will look before you start.

4. Research the plants you want to use. Make sure they fit into your lifestyle. Consider the amount of pruning and watering the plants will need.

5. Don't forget about your neighbors. If you live above someone, consider bringing plants inside for watering.

City gardens can be created using several types of materials. Again, your imagination is the limit. Materials such as concrete, glass and steel actually blend well with more natural elements like stone and wood. Remember that less is more. A bold, simple space can make more of an impact than a cluttered, fussy space, so don't pick too many different elements. If you have the room, plan for a sitting area, that way you can go outside on a nice day and enjoy your garden.

When you design your garden, think of the same rules you would consider when decorating your home. Here are a few ideas for adding some character to your garden:

1. A mirror is great in a small space because it can create the illusion of more space. It can also reflect the sunlight, which is great if your garden is partially shaded by a building.

2. Try painting an exterior wall. It is a creative way to add color and character to city gardens.

3. Use your vertical space. Building shelves or hanging baskets can take advantage of the unused space.

4. Consider container gardening. This requires less maintenance, and almost anything can be used to make a container. All types of flowers, fruits, vegetables, trees and shrubs grow well in containers. In the colder months, the containers can be brought indoors.