You can grow potatoes in small garden areas, even on patios, balconies or in cities. With planning the backyard oasis will be a perfect place for a crop of potatoes.

One of the easiest ways to grow potatoes in a small area is in  a garden basket or wire cage, Using this method you actually grow the potato above ground.

This you tube will give you ideas on how to plant potatoes using this method.

One advantage of growing potatoes or other ground crops using a method like this it that harvesting is much easier. And for a more festive look add vines near the container or flowers and create a mini garden area.

There are many root crops that can be grown in baskets or wire cages. And depending on how the growing area is set up you can extend your growing season or even move the crop indoors.

Just because you live in a city or don’t own a lot of land does not mean you can not have a successful garden. You will have to learn how to plant in small spaces and make the most of the soil you have.

Technorati Tags: gardening, growing potatoes, growing potatoes in small spaces, small space gardening, vegetables

While looking for gardening ideas I found a different gardening technique I had not heard for before. It’s a rather unique garden structure that looks like it would work well in small garden areas or a backyard that has certain uses if different areas of the yard.

photo credit: Cait Vaughn

The following you tube shows this garden and how it was laid out.

I see a lot of different uses for this style of gardening and think I may have to add a garden design like this just to try it out and see how it works.

There were also some nice tips for garden layout, planting certain vegetables, herbs and flowers and why certain plants were planted where they were.

Technorati Tags: backyard gardens, flowers, garden tips, gardening, herbs, vegetables

A patio herb garden makes a great small space garden and serves a double purpose of producing herbs for cooking or for crafting purposes.

photo credit: jemasmith

Planting an herb garden on your patio isn’t only a practical use of space, but it also adds atmosphere and greenery to your patio.

These simple steps will help to make planting your patio herb garden a breeze.

First choose herbs to plant in your patio herb garden. What herbs do you sue the most? Take a look at your kitchen shelves for help with your selection. Basil, chives, dill, oregano, parsley rosemary, sage and thyme are the most popular herbs and are easy for even a first time gardener to grow. Once you have determined the herbs you would like to grow its time to select pots and containers.

Study your patio, them choose different sizes and shapes of containers to give your patio herb garden a unique and fun look. You may want to go with a rustic look, match containers to go with your landscape or make a garden that would appeal to children. With containers the atmosphere you can create is unlimited.

Make sure that your containers have holes in the bottom for good drainage, and then fill the bottoms with small rocks or gravel.

Next fill your containers with composted soil mixed in a 2 to 1 ratio with sand. Leave a 1-inch space at the top of the container. This gives you room to water without running the pot over and creating a mess.

Water the container and allow it to drain before planting your herbs. This step also settles the soil mix. I usually let the containers set overnight.

Next plant your herbs. It’s best to keep oregano, rosemary, mint and thyme in separate containers. They tend to grow large or spread and take over the container. You can grow the other herbs together in large shallow pots or a window box in your herb garden.

Last of all, it’s time to place containers on your patio in a location where they get at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight. Herbs have a variety of different colors and textures and add depth to a small space garden area, like a patio. Add a few edible flowers in your herb garden for more color. Nasturtiums are an edible flower.

Lavender and rosemary are more difficult herbs to grow but you may want to consider growing them. In many areas they are perennial if brought indoors during the winter months.

One other idea you may want to consider when planning your herb garden is making part of the garden into a vertical garden. This would be perfect for a small patio with a corner that gets direct lighting.

This patio garden could be a compact as 3 foot in length if you use vertical growing methods or a few hanging baskets.  It could also be a growing wall or barrier to create more privacy on the patio.

Herbs are easy to grow and have so many uses. You will be surprised how much this small garden will add to your home and patio space.

Technorati Tags: backyard patio, gardening, herb gardening, herbs, small space herb garden

I prefer my gardens to be more artistic but a rectangular raised bed garden will add color and use to you backyard.

This you tube show how to make a very easy raised bed garden.

The most important decision when making a raised bed garden is placement (6 to 8 hours of sun) and drainage and water. I like my watering source to be as close to the garden area as possible.

If you make the raised bed in the fall you can create most of your own soil by making compost and filling the raised bed area. If you are starting in the spring you will probably have to fill the new garden bed with soil you buy.

And with all gardens I recommend mulching the top of the soil with compost or chips to help hold in the moisture and cut down on weeding. Which mulch you select will depend on the plants you plan to grow. For perennials I usually use a chip or leaf mold. For annual plants and vegetable I use compost that I make.

Technorati Tags: backyard oasis garden, create a raised bed garden, gardening, make a raised bed garden, raised bed garden

With advances in solar cells and the widespread use of LED lights, options for solar accents in the garden abound. Whether you are looking for lanterns, landscape lighting, fountains, or a patio umbrella that doubles as a mini-power station, solutions are both easy to find and economical.

photo credit: rengber

The solar garden lantern, though a staple of outdoor lighting, remains a top pick among solar products. The consumer now has a wide array of choices for styles and materials, not to mention pricing. Another common option is the use of a single solar panel for multiple lights, which allows for placement in areas once considered too shady for a lantern.

Low voltage string lights are a natural evolution of solar power in the backyard. The solar panel can be placed in an area of maximum sun exposure, and the entire string will sparkle evenly long after sunset. Styles run from simple white holiday lights to large and colorful Chinese lanterns.

Adjustable solar landscape lighting allows for the illumination of trees, walls and garden artifacts. Without the need for a power source, placement of solar landscape lighting is easy and flexible, even at the edges of a property or driveway.

Solar fountains bring the welcome sound of running water into the yard, minus the worries about wasting electricity. Placing a fountain near a bedroom window creates a peaceful background for sleep, and there is no need to turn the power off. Many times these garden decorations also double as bird baths.

photo credit: Ian Muttoo

Many are re-discovering garden decorations brought to life by the use of solar power. For example, kissing fairies once hidden after sunset now have their snowy faces illumined by the light of a glowing orb. Likewise, a trio of gnomes hold lit lanterns high to see the trail ahead. The whole yard can indeed be a wonder at night.

For the backyard connoisseur who must have it all, a solar patio umbrella provides both an attractive and practical solution. During the day solar cells gather energy as the umbrella provides shade; during the night LED lights on the underside of the umbrella provide light for meals and socializing. The system can be turned off at any time and the solar cells will continue to gather energy.

As a final step, check the sales rank of products to help find the best solar landscape lights on the market. Adding motion, sound and lighting to the yard without the guilt of wasting energy provides a special satisfaction. In addition to bringing enjoyment, it can also be surprisingly easy and economical.

To further investigate the solar lights and decorations in this article visit Robert Mann’s Solar Garden Center .

Technorati Tags: backyard oasis night lighting, garden decor, gardening, landscaping, outdoor lighting, solar lights