Garden Patio Ideas

If you have ever thought of creating a patio garden oasis, the time to get started is now! You can recreate your patio from a plain and ordinary space into a versatile area that is both visually appealing and productive.

Planning is key to a successful patio garden, so before you plant, sketch out a blueprint of your space and think about the area’s functionality and draw out your dreams on paper.

Let’s explore some quintessential patio garden ideas and considerations to keep in mind as you work to transform your entertaining space into a treasure trove of plants, fragrant blooms, and edible treats.

Small Patio Garden Ideas

When planting space is limited to a patio setting, you may have to get a little bit creative so that the space can be used for both living and growing. One of the best ways to achieve this balance is by implementing vertical gardening into your plans.

Vertical gardening can enhance the ambiance and expand your garden space’s capabilities. They allow gardeners more space than the traditional horizontal patio plot, which means more plants can grow here, plants can spread out, and there will be higher yields. They also can create more privacy as plants climb.

Here are some beautiful and functional vertical gardening structures to add to your patio garden:

• Obelisks
• Trellises

• Towers
• Hanging Plant Stands

Utilizing wall space if you have any that butt up to your patio can also add visual appeal and make for efficient space use. Create a living wall by leaning a trellis in a pot or hanging wall planters can really warm up the space. It also softens the area and brings herbs, beauty, and fragrance to eye and nose level, stimulating the senses and making a patio more enjoyable.

You can also include elevated garden boxes to the edges of the patio area to raise up the level of your plantings. This means less bending for you to harvest and also adds the benefit of a privacy screen. Utilize the space underneath for plants that may enjoy more shade or need added protection.

Patio Garden Sunlight Requirements

Before you even think about planting, spend a couple of days mindful of how the sun shines down on your patio space and when shadows are cast upon the area. This is important information as you choose your plants and for knowing how much watering they will need. Look for varieties of plants that match the lighting conditions that you have such as low light plants.

Of course, there are some things that you can do to protect plants from the heat if too much direct sunlight is the issue. Adding an awning, patio umbrella, or even varying the heights and placement of your planters can improve your chances at having successful shade-loving plants in your patio design.

Watering A Patio Garden

The plants in a patio garden are predominantly planted in containers, which means that in addition to making sure that the pots and planters have adequate drainage holes; watering them regularly is paramount to their success. The roots of container plants are limited to seeking out the moisture and nutrients within the confines of a pot, so they rely on you to give them what they need.

There are some things that you can do to make watering less of a chore. Place saucers underneath potted plants, use watering globes to release water into your pots over time slowly, and set out some pretty watering cans on the patio. They can collect rainwater and will always be at the ready when you need them.

Are you a forgetful waterer? There’s even an app for that! There are planting apps that you can download that will give you planting advice while also allowing the opportunity to set reminders for important tasks such as watering.

Patio Garden Planning

As you plant your patio garden, consider plant heights in your design plans. You might want to keep taller plants on the edges of your patio so that they do not impede your visual line of sight. This is particularly important if you are using your patio for living and entertaining. If your patio opens to windows or sliding doors in your home, you also want to use care not to have large plants blocking out the light that shines through them into your home.

Use your space to your advantage and tuck in shade-loving plants alongside taller plants or underneath raised planters. Create a centerpiece on a patio table or accent table with low-rimmed pots that house shorter plants, or plant short varieties in an arrangement of multiple small planters.

You can also vary the heights on your plants and combine them in one pot. This is an attractive way of displaying your garden treasures. Combine companion plants that work well together to boost the production of your plants. Consider mixing plants with varying heights, colors, textures, and growth patterns to create a living work of art. For an example, you might select a trailing vine, an upright showstopper, or structurally-supported plant along with a vibrant bloomer to create visual interest.

Attracting Pollinators To Your Patio Garden

It is important to consider pollination when designing a patio garden. Mixing flowering plants and vegetables can boost plant productivity and provide you with a steady and plentiful yield all season long.

Consider companion plants such as the ones listed below when designing and planting a patio garden.

• Zinnias
• Marigolds
• Cosmos

• Calendula
• Nasturtiums
• Borage

They will attract beneficial pollinators while also adding beauty via texture, color, and fragrance.

Selecting and Storing Container Garden Planters

Once you develop a design plan, it’s time to select your planters and support structures. There are endless options when it comes to container planting. Pots and garden planters come in various colors, shapes, sizes, designs, and materials. You should consider and assess what you value most in a container before investing in them, and priorities vary from gardener to gardener.

Lastly, it is essential to also take responsibility for your garden planters and pots. They are important tools for growing and a large financial investment worth protecting. If you live in a climate that is subject to hard freezes, empty your pots, rinse them out, and store them upside down in an indoor space. This will help prevent irreparable damage from cracking and breakage.

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