Starting a garden can be daunting, which is why more people are turning to patio gardening as an easy alternative. You may not have the space for a full-sized garden. Or you may not be ready to commit the time, money, and energy required to build a large garden. If you want to try out your green thumb and start with something more manageable, then a garden on your patio, porch, balcony, or terrace could be the perfect fit for you.
Patio and porch gardening continues to grow in popularity, and it’s easy to see why. A patio garden is easy to start and manage, and can allow people with little or no yard — such as those who live in townhomes or apartments — to enjoy all the benefits of their own garden in a much smaller amount of space.
The joy of having fresh produce, herbs, and flowers readily available from plants you grow and care for yourself is a big reason many folks choose patio gardening. After all, adding fresh ingredients to tasty meals is a lot easier if those ingredients are just a few feet away. Another inspiration for many patio gardeners is simply the opportunity to create a relaxing, natural, vibrant space of their own, right outside their doors.
Starting your patio garden is probably simpler than you might think. All it takes is a few decisions and some initial investments and research. After that, your new patio garden will be yours to enjoy — with some light maintenance, of course!
Any space that’s level and receives plenty of sunlight will work. However, take care to consider the exact area. Pick somewhere with the right amount of sunlight (at least six hours a day is recommended), which may vary depending on your plants. Also, consider your plants’ proximity to a water source, as hot summers mean lots of watering.
Patio gardens are an excellent opportunity to try out your green thumb on a variety of plants. Flowers, herbs, vegetables, and even small trees are all easy to grow on a patio, as long as they’re positioned to take advantage of the right amount of sunlight. Thanks to the warm summers and moderate winters in Texas, a bounty of plants grow well here. For more, check out this helpful guide.
Choosing the right containers for your plants affects both the health of your plants themselves and the overall style/“feel” of your garden. Containers can take almost any form: planters, buckets, whiskey barrels, even old suitcases. When choosing each one, it’s important to consider the soil needs of your plants — smaller plants mean smaller root systems, and vice versa. Another consideration is mobility: some plants benefit from being able to move into or out of direct sunlight depending on the time of day. In those cases, wheeled planters or pot dollies are helpful, since you can move them around the patio as you need.
Like any garden, all that’s required is soil, light, and water. Any space that is level and receives direct daily sunlight can provide that. Your space may not be a patio but could be a porch, balcony, or terrace. Whatever space you choose, some planning may be necessary to optimize it for plant placement and watering proximity.
The short answer is, “a lot.” Everything from flowers, herbs, vegetables, and decorative plants like shrubs, grasses, or small trees. Every space is different, so be sure to optimize your garden design to take advantage of sunlight or your aesthetic tastes. Whether you want the fresh, functional nutrition of vegetables or the relaxing natural beauty of flowers or decorative plants, a patio garden can provide what you need.
Patio homes at Harvest by Hillwood in Argyle/Northlake, Texas are perfect for singles, young families, or empty nesters. With idyllic outdoor living areas that maximize lot space and mowing, edging and weeding taken care of by the Harvest HOA, patio homes are a convenient option for those seeking a garden home in a beautiful agrihood community.
If you love patio gardening, why not explore a community where gardening is at the center of everything? Harvest by Hillwood is an award-winning new home community that’s built on a rich history of agriculture and offers countless ways to prioritize natural living in a thoughtfully designed community.
Harvest residents who have a green thumb can work as much or as little as they like at the community garden at the heart of Harvest Farm. Farmer Ross, the operator of the on-site farm, is there to help gardeners of all ages, even offering on-site gardening classes for various skill and experience levels.
If you’re curious about putting down your roots with Harvest by Hillwood, check out our available homes or contact us for more information.