How to Create a Simple Small Backyard Garden

If you’ve ever stood in your backyard and thought, “Hmm, something’s missing…” — you’re probably ready for a little green magic. Creating a small backyard garden doesn’t require heaps of land or a massive budget.

Whether you live in a city apartment, a suburban home, or somewhere in between, you can absolutely turn a tiny patch into your own lush retreat.

Let’s walk through how to create a simple small backyard garden that feels both calming and easy to manage, no matter where you are.

Step 1: Plan Your Garden Space

Before you grab a shovel or start ordering seeds, take a good look at your space.

Whether you’ve got a tiny lawn, a narrow side path, or even just a concrete slab — it can be transformed.

Consider Sunlight and Shade

Plants are just like us — they love a good dose of sunshine, but some prefer the cool. Check which parts of your backyard get the most sun and when.

Measure and Sketch

Grab a tape measure and sketch out a rough plan of your area. This helps visualise where you’ll place your garden beds, containers, or features like a trellis or bench.

Step 2: Choose Your Garden Type

Depending on how much space (and time) you’ve got, choose a garden style that suits your lifestyle.

Container Gardens

Perfect for patios or rentals. Use pots, troughs, or even repurposed buckets — just make sure they drain well.

Raised Beds

Great for controlling soil quality and reducing bending. Ideal for herbs, veggies, and even dwarf fruit trees.

Vertical Gardens

If you’re short on horizontal space, go vertical! Trellises, wall planters, or hanging baskets can turn a plain wall into a plant party.

Step 3: Pick Your Plants

This is the fun part. Think about what you want out of your garden — fresh herbs, salad greens, colour, or fragrance?

Easy Edibles to Try

Lettuce and spinach (grow fast and love cooler weather)
Cherry tomatoes (great in pots with enough sun)
Strawberries (delicious — and great in hanging baskets!)

Low-Maintenance Flowers

Marigolds (bug-resistant and cheery)
Lavender (fragrant and hardy)
Ornamental grasses or succulents (easy and stylish)

Step 4: Prepare the Soil or Containers

Healthy plants start with healthy soil. If you’re working with garden beds, add compost and organic matter to enrich it.

For containers, use good-quality potting mix — not the stuff from the backyard.

Step 5: Plant and Water

Follow spacing recommendations on seed packets or plant tags. Water gently after planting, and don’t forget to mulch to lock in moisture and keep weeds away.

General Watering Tips

Water in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid evaporation. Adjust based on your climate — hot and dry areas may need more frequent watering, while cooler spots can go longer between drinks.

Step 6: Maintain and Enjoy

Stay on top of watering, trim dead leaves, and do a quick weed check weekly. But also — take time to just sit out there with a cuppa and enjoy what you’ve created.

Bonus: Invite Local Wildlife

Add a bird bath, bee-friendly flowers, or even a little insect hotel to keep your garden buzzing.

14 Simple Backyard Garden Ideas

Looking for inspiration? These small garden ideas are perfect for adding charm, colour, and personality to your outdoor space — no matter how tiny.

1. Pallet Planters

Recycle old wooden pallets by turning them into upright or horizontal planters — perfect for herbs, succulents, or small flowers.

2. Hanging Baskets

Ideal for balconies or small patios, hanging baskets add colour at eye-level and free up floor space.

3. Ladder Shelves

Lean an old wooden ladder against a wall and use each rung as a shelf for potted plants or herbs.

4. Herb Spiral

Build a spiral-shaped garden using bricks or stones to grow herbs vertically — it looks cool and saves space.

5. Window Box Gardens

No backyard? No problem. Window boxes work wonders for flowers, strawberries, and herbs.

6. Trellis with Climbing Plants

A simple trellis can support peas, beans, or even flowering vines like clematis — great for vertical interest.

7. Raised Bed on Wheels

Create a mobile garden bed using a wooden box on castors. Move it to chase the sun or rearrange your layout anytime.

8. Garden Bench with Storage

Functional and pretty — a bench that hides your gardening tools or doubles as a potting station.

9. Fairy Garden Corner

Dedicate a little nook to miniature plants, stones, and whimsical fairy accessories — a hit with kids and adults alike.

10. Gravel Paths or Stepping Stones

Define areas of your small garden and make walking through it a joy, even when it’s wet outside.

11. Upcycled Containers

Think teapots, boots, wooden crates, or tin cans — add drainage holes and turn them into quirky planters.

12. Garden Mirror Illusion

Place a mirror on a fence or wall to make a small garden feel larger and reflect more greenery.

13. Edible Wall Garden

Attach small pots to a wooden frame or lattice to grow lettuces, herbs, or strawberries vertically.

14. Solar-Powered Garden Lights

Add ambience and highlight your garden’s best features with simple solar stake lights or string fairy lights.

10 Small Garden Layouts

These garden layout ideas can help you make the most of your limited space, whether you’re starting from scratch or upgrading an existing garden.

1. Grid Layout

Divide your garden into equal squares or rectangles using paths or borders. It helps keep things tidy and organized — great for raised beds or veggie plots.