Landscaping a Small Backyard

Using containers is a good idea if you are landscaping a small backyard. Containers come in so many different varieties of materials and sizes and they can fit into anyone's budget and decor. They can be placed and moved just about anywhere and plants can be replaced easily if they die or get too large.

You could even do vegetables or herbs for an edible garden on a small patio. This is especially great for apartment dwellers in the city. My uncle, who's lived in Manhattan all his life, always had a terrace garden full of plants.

The soil in a container is controlled by the quality of what you put into it, so unlike the ground, pots can be planted with a larger variety of plants. Dark corners can be brightened up with colorful flowers in reds, oranges, yellows and even white. You can even change the color scheme from year to year to add even more excitement!

The best thing about using containers is that they are portable. If you are having friends and family over for a large get together they can be moved out of the way or used as part of the decor.

Image courtesy of Dogeared-1144 @ Flickr.com

Any little space can be turned into a garden. If a small crack in a sidewalk can grow grass, you can use the small areas around your house to make your yard look bigger. Planting a foundation around the border of your home is a great use of space.

Sideyards and small corners can be turned into lush spaces full of flowers and small bushes. The varying heights will give a sense of dimension and draw your eye upwards. Use a variety of leaves and colors. Opposites attract. Whites can brighten up areas around trees and other shady spots.

Yellows always look bright and cheerful. Reds are dramatic. Purples and blues serene.

If you only use straight lines when landscaping a small backyard, you will only accentuate the fact that your backyard is small. Most backyards are square and by keeping to this dimension you are missing out on creating an inviting, larger looking area.

Curved walkways and paths that lead along rounded planter beds create the illusion of more space. They flow from one area to the next and have a way of making you feel that you are meandering along a large open area instead of feeling boxed in and small.

Just because you are landscaping a small backyard space doesn't mean you can't add a water feature. Ponds and containers full of water do not have to be large. You can do small features that will fit in your area.

Water features can be a store bought pre-molded form or made from materials you buy seperately and install yourself. All that is needed for a simple water feature is a small pump, a few containers and, of course, water! A birdbath can also double as a water feature. Some come with fountains that please both you and the birds and are great features to add when landscaping a small backyard.






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