![Focus on... Compact plots](https://cdn.magzter.com/1387284923/1679315955/articles/SHateI8f41679393652864/FOCUS-ON-COMPACT-PLOTS.jpg)
IT’S official – UK gardens are getting smaller (by about 1% per decade, to be precise). And with larger plots harbouring more weeds and extra work, it’s no surprise that small-space gardening is popular among time-strapped growers. Luckily, there are loads of successful ways to grow crops in compact gardens. Let’s look at the best of them:
Smarter selections
Closer spacings and more intensive cropping is only successful if your soil is up to scratch. Adding bulky organic matter (like well-rotted manure or garden compost) will help add nutrients and lock in moisture. Dig a 3in (8cm) layer into the top spade’s depth of soil. If you’re growing in pots, opt for a good-quality brand that contains extra nutrients and water-retaining materials added (such as Gro-Sure Container & Basket Compost). If container gardening is your main focus, install plenty of water butts and install a drip irrigation system to ease your workload.
Make life easier on yourself by choosing naturally compact varieties. Dwarf veg, such as lettuce ‘Tom Thumb’, tomato ‘Sweet ‘n’ Neat’ and pepper ‘Redskin’ are ideal for tiny plots. There’s help here with fruit as well: raspberry ‘Ruby Beauty’, blackcurrant ‘Ben Sarek’, Peach ‘Bonanza’ and blackberry ‘Opal’ are just a few examples.
Light adjustments
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 25, 2023-Ausgabe von Amateur Gardening.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 25, 2023-Ausgabe von Amateur Gardening.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
![To dig or not to dig?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/srY9Bgqgg1696077695176/TO-DIG-OR-NOT-TO-DIG.jpg)
To dig or not to dig?
Should we be carrying out a full dig on plots now? Bob considers the pros and cons of the 'autumn dig' debate
![The box ball blues](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/MSiW9S-3s1696077564674/THE-BOX-BALL-BLUES.jpg)
The box ball blues
As if his beleaguered box hadn't already taken a beating, Toby now has to deal with some hungry box caterpillars
![Save your own seeds](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/gxMCpsinZ1696077466987/SAVE-YOUR-OWN-SEEDS.jpg)
Save your own seeds
Masterclass on: seed saving
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Strange sightings
Three unusual insects turn up in Val's garden in one day
![A bolt from the blue!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/7nMhGuBLn1696077232526/A-BOLT-FROM-THE-BLUE.jpg)
A bolt from the blue!
Cornflowers are perfect for garden and vase
![Winter moth prevention](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/uaMLSKKf61696077078880/WINTER-MOTH-PREVENTION.jpg)
Winter moth prevention
Ruth shows you how to avoid maggoty tree fruits
![Create a winter container](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/Jd1C8L2Ax1696076912753/CREATE-A-WINTER-CONTAINER.jpg)
Create a winter container
There are as many options as in summer
![Lightweight gardening tools](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/2M8ifxUcL1696076768203/LIGHTWEIGHT-GARDENING-TOOLS.jpg)
Lightweight gardening tools
AS well as being good for our mental health, gardening is also great exercise.
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Autumn price round-up
AG finds better bargains in lesser-known brands
![Rudbeckias](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/n0XuNlGYP1696073214532/RUDBECKIAS.jpg)
Rudbeckias
Rudbeckias are ideal for sunny summer patios and borders, with some able to survive our coldest winters