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

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.

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