How to Garden Without a Yard

Gardening is a wonderful thing. It provides food for your family, pretty flowers to look at, and is great for the environment. Though many of us dream of having a big backyard with multiple garden beds to grow plants in, most Americans live in cities where having a large outdoor space is very rare. However, your gardening dreams do not have to be crushed based on where you live. In fact, most gardening can be done on a deck, porch, balcony, or any other outdoor area. Here is our guide to gardening without a yard.

On Your Deck/Porch: If you are living in a townhome, chances are, you have a deck or porch of some kind. This is the perfect place to start a garden! Examine the space and see what you comfortably have room for: pots, railing garden boxes, hanging planters, ect. Next, think about your climate and geographical location. Do you get a lot of rain? Does your deck get the most light during the day? Is your porch shaded the majority of the time? Use these factors to determine which plants to get. 

On Your Balcony: Balconies can be tough since they are typically pretty small, but there are creative ways to save space and still grow your plants. One idea is starting a plant wall. You can either attach the pots to the wall with anchors or hooks, or set up a wire frame to hang your pots on. They do make frames specifically for this reason that you can find online. Another idea is creating custom garden boxes that fit on your railing or window ledge. This will save your tons of ground space.

On Your Roof: Rooftop gardens are a real thing, especially in the city. This is one of the best options if it is viable for you. Rooftops are typically pretty large and get lots of sun and rain, making them ideal for growing plants! Depending on your space, you may even be able to use raised garden beds or a mini greenhouse. Obviously these are most common in the city, but some apartment buildings and townhomes offer rooftop access in the suburbs. Keep in mind that your plants will be in full sun most of the time and exposed to the elements, so pick ones that are hardy and require a lot of light.

We hope these ideas help you on your gardening journey and show you that gardening is an obtainable hobby for anyone! If you’re looking to build a deck, porch, patio or any other exterior space, FSBD offers custom deck and porch builds, hardscaping, creative masonry, outdoor entertainment features, like fireplaces and outdoor kitchens, and so much more. If you are looking to create the space of your dreams, give us a call and we’ll get you on the fasttrack to your outdoor oasis.