Being a beginning gardener is one thing.  Being a beginning gardener with very little space to work with can pose a real challenge.  Learning all you need to know about gardening and how to fit it into a small space doesn’t have to be difficult.  Below are 12 space efficient gardening tips for beginners that will have you feeling like an experienced gardener in no time. Let these tips help you get started.

Research plants to know what will work in the area that you live in. Not every plant at the store may thrive in the area you live in. This is especially true if you live far away from the store or nursery where you buy your plants. Research information about what plants will grow in the area you live in before you make a final decision on the plants.

Focus on finding plants that won’t grow overly large. When doing research, focus on finding plants that won’t grow overly large.  An overly large plant may make your small garden look out of scale.  Smaller plants are better for smaller gardens.

Be sure that the soil in the small space is good for planting. If you don’t have healthy soil, it may be difficult getting things to grow in your garden.  You may have to purchase a few bags of soil to help you plants thrive.

Remember that over time, the plants will get larger. Be sure to read the planting instructions that will come with the plants.  Keep in mind the planting distance for the different variety of plants that you choose.  Over time, the plants will fill in the empty spaces between them.

Add a touch of beauty with a great border. With a small garden, you can probably afford to spend the money to get really a really nice border for the garden.  Flag stone will add a nice touch to your garden.

The smaller the garden, the less water you will need. Once you have the garden planted, realize that you don’t have to use as much water to keep it alive.  Overwatering is often a problem with smaller gardens.  Use a timed water system for the best results.

Know when to fertilize the plants. Fertilizing plants is also important in keeping a healthy, space efficient garden.  Be sure to read the recommendations that come with your plants when you buy them so that you know when to fertilize the plants.  Be careful not to over fertilize your plants as this will actually do your garden more harm than good.

Keep the small space clean from debris and grasses that may hinder growing. It you want your garden to look good all year round, you must keep it from debris and grasses and that make it look messy.  Grasses can quickly take over your garden if you don’t immediately get it under control.

Have the right tools for the small space. If you are gardening in an extremely small space, you may to smaller tools to help get the job done.  Make sure you aren’t using tools that are too large and serve only to make gardening harder on you.

Mulching is important to protect plants in extreme climates. No garden is complete without mulch.  With many different colors and textures to choose from, you are sure to find  mulch that will look good in your garden.  Mulch also gives your garden a polished, professional look.

Clip dead areas of the plants away. Some plants will need to be pruned. Rose bushes are one example.  Set time aside each year to spend pruning the plants in your space efficient garden.

Visit a local nursery for advice on planning in tight spaces. If you just don’t know where to begin, seek the help of professional.  Nursery workers are trained to give you advice on planting. Best of all, this advice is often free if you are willing to buy your plants there.

Use the tips above to help you get started planning in small spaces. These 12 space efficient gardening tip for beginners will help you to be on your way to the perfect garden.

This post was written by Sarah from 1001 Sundials an online store to buy decorative garden sundials and pedestal bases.

Outdoor Design Ideas
A great outdoor room design is a natural extension of your home. It can offer a fun, flexible space for outdoor entertainment or a private, peaceful escape. These outdoor design ideas will help you make the most of your space and budget and create an atmosphere that complements your lifestyle.

Cooking
Making and sharing meals is one of the best ways to enjoy your outside space and entertain guests. Creating a cooking-ready outdoor room design can be as simple as adding a basic grill or as elaborate as building a full outdoor kitchen. Design ideas for outside kitchens often feature convenient amenities like a refrigerator, bar, oven, sink, ice maker and beverage cooler. If you plan to do a lot of outdoor entertainment and cooking, you may also want to consider incorporating storage ñ for cookware, dishes and other culinary supplies ñ into your outdoor room design.

Shelter
Shelter increases the versatility of your outdoor room design – allowing you to enjoy it in different weather conditions. Just as with cooking amenities, you have a wide range of options. You can purchase an umbrella, install a gazebo or even add a roof structure to provide protection from the elements. You may also want to consider adding a screened-in area to your outdoor room design so you have an insect-free place to get fresh air. At the very least, you should keep insect-repelling products on hand.

Landscaping
Colorful, aromatic plantings ignite the senses and help turn your outdoor room design into a relaxing escape. Landscaping can also serve practical functions. To create a more intimate space for outdoor entertainment, add privacy plantings. You can also incorporate greenery that will help attract orrepel certain insects or wildlife. Caring for surrounding nature is one of the best ways to enhance your outdoor room design. Use high-quality lawn mower parts and sharp lawn mower blades to keep the nearby landscape looking its best.

Furniture
Your outdoor space should be able to seat at least the number of people who will typically be enjoying it. If you want extra seating for outdoor entertainment but donít want to crowd the area at other times, tuck away foldable or stackable chairs. There are many outdoor seating options on the market today that mimic indoor furniture – offering a combination of durability, comfort, function and style. When youíre selecting furniture for your outdoor room design, think about how you plan to use the space. For dining and conversation, a patio table and chairs is a go-to choice. For lounging, outdoor couches and chairs are a great option. Other fun, comfortable possibilities include a hammock, chaise lounge and day bed – all perfect for an afternoon of reading or napping. To create the full effect of an outdoor living room, add small tables (such as a coffee table and/or end tables) and a television to your outdoor room design.

As we get further along into spring, and summer being around the corner, the thought of a beautiful garden starts dancing in the minds of many. Whether you fill your garden with flowers or veggies, one thing is a fact. No one wants bugs eating their plants. Check out the tips below to combat bugs this spring and summer.

Tomato Trouble
There is nothing like eating a salad with fresh tomatoes you have grown in your garden during the summer. These juicy vegetables are a great source of lycopene and very helpful for your heart. That said, how many times have you gone out to check up on your tomatoes plants and found your seedlings have been “chopped” in half? This is due to cutworms. One DIY option TLC recommends is to, “make simple collars from empty toilet paper rolls to protect the stems until they are too large to sustain damage from cutworms. The rolls will break down in the soil, or you can compost them.”

Enlist the Help of Other Plants
Just like peanut butter goes well with jelly, there are plants that complement each other in the garden. I’m not talking about aesthetically, but in a scientific way. For instance, if you have a moth or lady bug problem in your garden plant some bay leaves. They deter both pests. Onions deter cabbage moths, aphids, weevils, carrot flies, moles, rust flies, worms and red spiders.

Cut the Clutter
Bugs thrive in foliage, under rocks and in the weeds. If you clear out your garden of any debris you are setting up your garden for success. If bugs can’t find a safe haven to live in your garden, they won’t be in there for the long haul.  Bird baths can also attract more than birds. Make sure you are checking your bird bath for bugs who may be finding safe harboring under the bath.

Stink Bugs
Also known as shield bugs, stink bugs can make life for your tomatoes troublesome. By mixing vegetable, olive or lavender oil with water in a 1:1 ratio you can spray the solution on your plants to rid yourself of these bugs. Another option is to plant decoy plants around your tomato garden (like the suggestion above). Some plants stink bugs like are marigolds, mustard and lavender.

Call in the Experts
If your bug problem escalates to the point where you can’t manage it any longer, it may be time to call in a pest control service. There are many of eco-friendly options for your garden if you are worried about chemicals in your garden (especially if you are growing vegetables/herbs). Many times professionals will know how to clear your bug problem efficiently and for good. This is a great option if you have tried on your own for too long with little to no results.

Have you battled bugs in your garden? If so give us your quick tips in the comments below.

Guest post courtesy of Frank Merryman and pest control Houston company Protext Pest Control, who has provided Houston pest control services since 1978.