National Trust gardener Teddy Jones has shared his top tips for creating a garden haven – even for those who may just have a balcony or a patio available rather than a garden
If you have a garden on the smaller size, you can still make the most of it with some easy tricks to maximise your space. Teddy Jones, assistant gardener at the National Trust’s Castlefield Viaduct has shared some of his top tips for those looking to do create a small haven outside.
There are certain plants that can be used in small spaces, and they can even still attract wildlife Teddy shared, and the good news is that you don’t need acres of land for a sanctuary.
From small patios, to apartment balconies, Teddy said if your space is extremely limited, try plants that will scramble up, rather than out, like brilliantly scented sweetpeas. “I grow mine up a trellis I made from old pallets. Vinca major (periwinkle) can climb up or droop down, giving a cascading effect as its violet-blue flowers tumble from your balcony.”
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It’s also easier than you might think to coax wildlife into your mini garden, he shared. “A dish or pot of water will be appreciated by birds and hoverflies, and a simple bunch of sticks, hung up or left in the corner of your balcony, can act as an insect ‘hotel’.”
So instead of throwing away any broken pot sherds, leave them in a small pile as shelter for invertebrates. And if aphids appear, hold your nerve – chances are, ladybirds will move in and deal with these sap-sucking visitors, without you needing to reach for harmful sprays.
Before you start creating your green oasis, the expert advised to think about whether your area, a windowsill or a balcony, is in full sun or cool shade, and choose plants that suit your light levels.
“It doesn’t need to be complicated – plant what you like and enjoy it. One of my most effective window boxes is simply a packet of wildflower seeds, sprinkled onto the soil. Now it’s a colourful mix of poppies and daisies that acts as a magnet for butterflies and hoverflies.”
Sometimes, you don’t even need to buy seeds, you already have what you need in the fridge, he noted. Plant a strawberry in a pot and as the fruit breaks down, the seed will settle into the soil and germinate. If you buy a living herb from the supermarket, remove it from the pot, separate the roots a bit and plant it up. “I planted parsley this way two years ago and it’s still giving me a good harvest. Other herbs that grow really well in containers include coriander, sage, chives and basil.
“Nasturtiums are also easy to grow, spectacularly colourful and both their flowers and leaves can be eaten, making them a great addition to small spaces. Tomatoes don’t even need a pot; you can cut slits into a bag of compost and plant them direct.”
However one thing to remember when growing in containers is that pots can dry out quickly, so unless you choose drought-tolerant plants, you may need to water more often than you would if you were gardening in beds. A cheap way to create your own irrigation system is to make a small hole in the lid of a water bottle and push it, upturned, into your pot where it will drip slowly into the soil.
Covering exposed soil with mulch will help lock in that precious moisture. If it’s convenient and your budget allows, you can buy mulch, but you can also use fallen leaves and prunings to do the same job.