SMALL SPACE EXPLORATION

YOUR garden may be defined by a fairly small space, be it a balcony, courtyard, corner or even a wall. But there is plenty of gardening you can do with some space-saving tricks.

- DAVID DOMONEY

The first goal should be maximising the area you already have. Find the best parts and make the most of their benefits. For example, small urban plots offer a warmer, protected microclimate, great for tender vegetation.

There are a few hacks you can try to make the most of your garden space. Find functionality alongside form and select furniture which doubles up as seating and storage.

Also, try to maintain negative space (unoccupied areas) to avoid crowding. Consider your garden space as an open box. Once you fold down the sides, you have a lot more space at your disposal. Therefore, try to include mirrors for the illusion of a larger space, murals, and other wall decorations.

You can also incorporate vertical climbing plants too. These add interest at height but don't take up much space.