Gardeners with limited space have more options than they may realize.  I never realized how many ways there are to design your garden and new ideas are popping up everyday that make it possible for people in all kinds of settings to garden successfully.  Below are a few ideas I think are pretty nice and are possible to incorporate into a smaller area.

Stair flower bed designs come in a variety of sizes and styles. Some are stacked flower beds that build on each other and come in 3, 4, 5 or more steps. Each step is its own flower bed. Ladders can make a good base for rectangle flower boxes and potted plants. By taking advantage of the stair stacked design, you can save space. Some ladders are smaller and can fit very well in smaller spaces. Stair styles also fit rather nicely on a hillside and provide structure that helps to prevent erosion. They can be designed around a staircase to add beauty to the area or around curved sections or winding areas.

Stackable flower pots come in a variety of designs, shapes, and sizes. These are a perfect solution for a variety of herbs and strawberries. Each level has 1-4 compartments and each pot interlocks with the one above it. Drainage holes provide even watering throughout all the pots.

Wall or fence mounted options come in a variety of different designs. Rectangle flower boxes and hanging pots are both popular methods. You can make stands that function as a wall or fence using poles and concrete blocks. Using your fencing as planter support is a great way to save space and make room for other things in the garden. Herbs, strawberries, bushing vegetables, and berries will all do well in fence hanging containers, if they have good drainage and are well spaced so the plants get good air circulation.

Cinder Blocks are very versatile for smaller garden areas. They can be stacked to form garden beds or stair beds. The holes of the cinder blocks can be used as planters themselves too. Many people put pollinating flowers in the cinder block holes to help improve their garden environments.

Grow Boxes allow you to grow a variety of fruits and vegetables in a container box that has a self-watering reservoir, trellis, and wheel options. They are the perfect solution for patio gardening. Most vegetables and fruits will thrive in them if provided the right environment.

Grow Bags are a more recent solution to smaller spaced gardening. They are made of fabric that has fine holes in them to allow for drainage and handles so you can move them around the garden. This is an advantage when you are unsure of where your plant will best thrive.

Spiral Gardens are designed in a spiral on a hill or using raised beds. They allow you to fit a larger amount of plants in a smaller location and makes companion planting easier. Plants that like dryer soil are planted on top and plants that prefer moisture are planted below. Some spots of the spiral get lots of sun while others are more shaded. This provides you with a variety of environments in one location.

With all these options above, having a small space should not be a barrier to having the garden you desire. It can actually be an advantage in many ways when your garden is all located in one well-organized area. It makes the process of care more efficient and easier to achieve. Vertical gardening provides plants with great air circulation and containers can be moved around giving you time to get to know them before deciding on a permanent spot. Most of these options are affordable so if you don’t like something it can always be changed.