Tiny [Manageable] Gardens

Apr 8

Are you living in very cozy quarters? Lack a green thumb? Have very little time?

We think gardens help further our mission of living a more verdant, artful life. For those of you who are time- and space-deprived, we searched high and low for creative ideas to help bring more green into the neglected nooks and crannies of your home and garden.

Here are some of the most unique, low-maintenance solutions we uncovered. Enjoy!

Think Vertical!

These hydroponic, vertical gardens are for growing produce—right in your kitchen window. They don't require soil, and they have a reservoir for water and nutrients in the bottom that can be programmed on a timer.

This vertical garden gives "wall art" a whole new meaning! It consists of a square tray with slanted compartments to keep the soil intact. The garden is easy to maintain once its installed, as it requires little watering.

Think Water!

Here's a different kind of garden altogether. The "AquaFarm" garden is designed to be a self-sufficient eco-system. It can hold up to five plants that are nourished by the fish, and the tank is even self-cleaning. Now THAT'S low maintenance!

Think Air!

Creating a small terrarium environment is a popular way to enjoy the plant world without a lot of space or hassle. The glass globe pictured here can be hung or placed on any surface. These air terrariums lend themselves to some creative flare and would be fun to personalize. Perhaps a class this summer at Raven's Wish? Stay tuned!

Think YUM!

The Nourish Mat, as featured in the video above, is a truly innovative solution for people who love the idea of eating homegrown vegetables but lack the time or knowledge needed to have a traditional garden. The mat has a built-in irrigation capacity and can produce as much as a regular garden four times as large. Perhaps best of all, pre-planted "seedballs" equate to EASY!

Think Sand!

In terms of sand gardens, we thought this one was especially creative. With some ground gravel, a fire-pit, assorted driftwood and beach grasses, you can enjoy a getaway garden that requires very little upkeep! This same concept can be translated to a much smaller scale, as shown in the picture below.

Think Sharing!

Have any more clever ideas on how to live a more artful life with time- and space-efficient gardening? We'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions--please share in the comments below!

Alicia Reid