My name is Kerry and I live in Portland, Oregon. When I moved into my home eight years ago, the small side yards consisted of concrete and a chain-link fence. Over time, my husband and I replaced the fence and added green. We love our small garden!
A world of difference in this small space!
On the north side we painted gutters and window boxes and hung them on the fence. Here the strawberries growing in the painted gutters are beginning to produce.
The catmint (Nepeta × faassenii, Zones 4–8) growing in the window boxes on the fence is beautiful, and the hummingbirds and bees enjoy it too!
We planted a variety of succulents on the ground along the fence, which we divide as they grow. (This looks like it might be purple ice plant: Delosperma cooperi, Zones 5–9).
On the south side we built planter boxes, where we grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers. We added rain barrels for watering during Oregon’s dry summers.
To maximize growing space, we used hanging baskets, containers, and trellises. I enjoy all of the colors and scents as I walk by.
A nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus, annual) is in one of the hanging baskets.
‘Mr. Lincoln’ rose is a classic variety famous for its rich dark red color, beautiful shape, and strong fragrance.
We lined part of the fence with a small espalier apple tree. The tree is grafted so that each of the three rows is a different variety of apple. Our dog’s favorite is the Honeycrisp! (Want to learn more about making espaliers? Check out this article.)
We painted a wooden pallet, planted it with succulents, and positioned it on the back of the fence. The succulents spread to the surrounding area as well.
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Comments
What a clever, creative use of space!! It must give you so much pleasure!
Thank you! Yes, it's fun to watch everything grow
Absolutely wonderful what you have done with a tiny space.
Thank you!
Very clever & creative! Great job!
Thank you!
I love "before and after" photos to see how a space was changed!
That little hummingbird would have never been there if not for you making a garden out of that narrow space, such a great photo!
You've turned a dull narrow space into a useful place of interest and fun for yourselves and nature!
Thanks! We love seeing the hummingbirds and the bees.
Love your pallet succulent planter - looks so good!
Thank you! We used milk paint which chips over time and gives a nice weathered look. We stapled landscaping cloth onto the pallet to put the plants in
Congratulations. You have done wonders in a small area and all your improvements are unique but amazing. Well done. You are an inspiration.
Thank you! You are very kind. I can't take credit for all of the ideas - many were borrowed from other yards I saw and liked, or from episodes of Monty Don's Big Dreams Small Spaces!
You’ve proven that you can do a lot with a little. Nice job!
Thank you!
That is so clever !!! No stopping you !!! Love it all. Such ingenious solutions!
Thank you! No stopping indeed -- there's always room for just one more plant : )
Very cool use of space. Really like the espalier, and the use of succulents. Clever
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