Focus on... Compact plots

Even the smallest spaces can successfully home a variety of plentiful harvests, says Lucy, as she explains how to make the most of even compact gardens

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.

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