Page 90 - South Mississippi Living - March, 2025

HOME & GARDEN
story by Gaye Winter
Have a small patio
or area for gardening? There are many beautiful combinations of herbs, flowers, and vegetables that can provide beautiful blooms and fresh produce in even a tiny outdoor area. All plants need to grow are sunshine, good soil, and water.
Here are some ideas to plan and plant a small patio garden, so you can maximize every square inch of growing space.
PLANNING YOUR PATIO
A detailed plan is a must to save money and stress. A garden should be fun!
With paper and pencil, think about where you would like to place containers and furniture along with raised beds. Be sure you don't block any windows or doorways; you can even think about how to go “vertical” for more space.
When choosing containers, almost any type will work. Make sure they are the sizes you need for what you are planning to plant:
• Three to five gallon plastic pails hold enough soil for peppers, okra, cucumbers, and tomatoes, for instance. If they do not have drainage holes, have someone drill the holes for you.
• Metal pails and wooden containers like flower boxes also work. Just make sure they also have good drainage.
• Terracotta pots are inexpensive, easy to find, come in various sizes, and usually have a drainage hole in the bottom. They usually dry out quickly in the heat of the sun because they are porous.
• It’s fun to have some “show-stoppers” among your pots and containers, too. Try using a whiskey barrel for a planter or a beautiful vertical shelf for flowers.
90 | March 2025
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living