It’s springtime in Des Moines and with the warmer weather also comes the opportunity to enjoy your outdoor spaces. But if your yard is feeling underutilized or cramped, there are a few things you can do to maximize your space while also creating a comfortable and calming garden for your enjoyment. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Create More Space

You may have more space than you realize, and by making some small changes you can create areas for seating, eating, reading, or BBQing. Does your yard wrap around to the side of your home? Instead of using that area for your recycling bins, use that extra real estate for an area of use. Create a coffee corner, add a bench for meditation or contemplation, or add a hammock for a lazy day of reading. Adorn the area with some potted plants if your landscaping is minimal.  Do you have large, wide bushes in your yard? It may be a good idea to replace them with a small dining set and some potted plants. Point being, your yard can be transformed to make it more functional for your needs if you use all of the square footage. Think outside of the box and get creative.

Go Vertical

Think of your fence and the walls of your home as a blank slate waiting to be filled with planters, herbs, flowers, or vegetables. Vertical gardening is a great way to maximize your space while creating a lovely focal point on your walls and fencing. There are many ways to create vertical beds. You can opt for hanging pots, pallets, plastic bottles, or crates to create the garden of your choice. You’ll want to be sure that the areas you choose for your vertical gardens will have plenty of sunlight as well as minimal wind to ensure the best environment for successful growth.  Vegetables that excel in these vertical containers are tomatoes, leafy greens, green beans, peppers, and small cucumbers. Herbs such as oregano, cilantro, parsley, chives and basil can also be added into the mix.  Lastly, don’t forget the flowers for both your viewing pleasure and to keep pests at bay, marigolds are a must. Sprinkle in some impatiens or geraniums for a pop of color.

Container Gardening

Don’t have a lot of space for flower beds? No problem, container gardening is a great option for adding some beauty to your garden. Container gardening is a great option for homes in Des Moines because as the seasons change you can transport your plants indoors to save them from the frost. Garden pots come in many different sizes, shapes, and colors, so feel free to mix them up to add some contrast and texture. You can plant anything in containers from vegetables, flowers, and herbs to small trees and shrubs. Just be sure the container is large enough to allow what you are planting enough space for a healthy root system. Also be sure that the pots you purchase have a drainage system to prevent root rot.

Consider a Smaller Scale

Be sure to choose outdoor furnishings that are scale to the actual usable space you have. Just as in your home, adding large and bulky furniture to a small space can make it feel crowded and unorganized. Consider the dimensions of the area you would like to use for eating or gathering when you’re deciding on your outdoor set. If you’re determined to have a large rectangular table, consider streamlined benches as the seating. If you’re determined to have chairs with a back and armrests, opt for a round table to conserve your space. 

By maximizing your outdoor space, you’re sure to enjoy the remainder of spring as well as the upcoming summer.