Create a Garden Layout That Works for You
Whether you have a small space but are dead set on growing 100 pounds of potatoes in those four square feet or have acres to work with, the best gardens start with a detailed plan. Previously mentioned Smart Gardener not only helps you diagram your garden or landscape, it can recommend a garden plan based on your selected plants and location, along with a personalized gardening to do list and other intelligent features.
If you're short on space (and/or love symmetry), a square foot garden might be for you; this raised bed garden dedicates 1x1 square foot plots to specific plants and can be cost-effective. On the other hand, rounded edges could get you more planting space. We've also showcased several vertical and other small space gardens over the years, from the shoe organizer herb garden and this shipping pallet version to the simple salad in a box.
Calibrate and Automate Your Garden
Finally, gardening is a fun hobby, but it's also hard work at times. Make it a little easier on yourself with some gardening hacks. For example, calibrate sprinklers so they always water your lawn just right (which means, as little as possible, conserving water). Build a drip irrigation system so you never forget to water your garden, or make an automatic plant watering systems using plastic bags. If you're container gardening, you can make EarthBox-like self-watering planters. Or, even better, get your container garden to not only water itself but also tweet you when it needs a water refill. Gardens are so high-tech these days.