A small space garden can be created almost anywhere and when creating a backyard oasis design, use of space can be important. The backyard can have many demands for its space so a small garden is a plus. This is especially important for those who rent or live in a city. So if you are extremely limited in you growing area this just means you have to get creative and plan your garden using alternative growing methods. 
photo credit: MoToMo
Square Foot Gardening is a gardening method that I have used and highly recommend. By using your soil in a more efficient way you cut down on weeding, watering and insect problems. The method uses one-foot growing sections and you learn how much room a plant needs to grow and how to use this area in the most efficient way. Using this method you can fit a small space garden in many areas.
Gardening using containers is versatile and a container garden can be located on a roof, balcony, and patio or along the driveway. Many successful container gardens are grown on a porch, balcony or in an indoor room, which adds to your growing space.
Raised bed gardening can make use of a piece of property that may sit by the garage, by a hillside or just in an area that gets sun but has bad soil. By creating a raised bed you can improve the soil, even out any uneven land and raise the bed so that it’s easier to work in. My neighbor created the nicest hillside garden and took a piece on soil that was impossible to use and turned it into a beautiful garden oasis that provides, flower, fresh vegetables and a wonderful background for patio furniture. This area now doubles as a small secret garden retreat.
Hanging baskets are also a wonderful way to add to your gardening space. Many people grow flowers but there are many vegetables that grow well and look amazing in a hanging basket, I grow an upside down hanging tomato basket every year. By growing cherry tomatoes from the bottom of the basket, they are easy to pick. And that leaves the top of the hanging basket for a bean plants, lettuce and a few herbs. Just make sure to water this hanging basket well. 
photo credit: Susan E Adams
One other way I use additional space for growing to use my windowsills. Windowsill boxes and small planters offer extra space and work wonderful in the winter months to extend you gardening season. I always have a pepper plant, tomato plants, several bean plants, herbs and greens growing in the house. 
photo credit: mikewade
Sun rooms, porches, balconies and even a spare indoor room will work for a small space garden area. As long as plants have rich soil, adequate light and water they will grow anywhere.
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What would you suggest to use for borders for raised beds?
Hi Terry,
There are many items you can use for raised bed garden frames. It will depend on taste, the look you want and cost. I always look for a decent price.
Wood can be used, but make sure it is not treated. The chemicals for treating leach into the soil.
Any stone or rock. Most can be gathered for free if you have the time.
Bricks and cement blocks. These are my favorite to use. But I use a lot of wood too. Denise
My wife and I are planning to do square foot gardening in our backyard this year. It seems to be a really efficient way to use a smaller space. It will be a great learning experience.
We are also looking at taking the area the is behind the house, off the the left of our garage. I think it’s a perfect area for it’s own little garden and a perfect spot for a gazebo. If we do that we will also put a new set of sliding doors in our kitchen leading to that area.
I tried a couple of hanging baskets last year and they just took too much watering but over this winter I was watching a gardening program and learned that I could use diapers in the bottom of the container baskets to hold more water.
We are getting so excited and it’s so cold here now that I can’t even go outside.
I am totally sold on square foot gardening. (My other site, The Gardeners Rake has several articles on SFG.) It saves space and so much time. It’s a gardening method I have used for 10 years or more. Its amazing what you can grow in a very small area. A 4foor by 4 foot area can grow enough veggies for two people easily. I grow some larger varieties of veggies so I have a little more space.
Your small area sounds perfect for a tucked away garden oasis! And new patio doors will help to bring both area together and create a feeling of more space.
Hanging baskets: They can be tough but so much fun. The diapers will help so much and you can also get a soil additive that helps to hold moisture in soil. Its available at most garden centers. It looks a lot like styrofoam.
Two other suggestions I have.
1. try to pick plants that are drought resistant and that require less water. You can also put certain flower in a more shaded area, flowers that like shade and still have pretty flowers.
2. When I make a hanging basket I place a plastic bottle in the center of the pot that I have cut the bottom off and sink it into the soil. Plant my flowers, veggies or herbs around it and you cant see the “water funnel”. I fill this with water and the water is taken directly to the roots where it is needed the most.
Keep me updated on your backyard projects and good luck. As soon as my snow disappears I will be showing by backyard overhaul online. Thanks for dropping by! Denise