Landscape architect Leo Snider designs gardens to be both functional and beautiful. The garden featured in this segment is only 25' by 50', but every inch of space is used. Here are tips for making the most of your own small space. This small space includes a rose garden, a vegetable garden, a potting cottage, a cutting garden, an herb garden and a composting area. In the leftover space the homeowner added a cactus garden. Leo advises including a rabbit hutch in your garden because rabbit manure is a great source of nitrogen. The only pesticide used in this garden is dishwashing liquid, and only a few drops are needed occasionally to control insect pests. Using companion plants to attract beneficial insects is an environmentally friendly way to manage garden pests. And by placing companion plants such as alliums, marigolds, chrysanthemums and nasturtiums between vegetables you can discourage insect pests from going after your other plants. To save space, lay out your garden off one main path, which can be made fancy with crushed granite or bark and perhaps a bench. Build garden beds above ground level with 2" by 4" lumber or railroad ties to contain soil and keep out weeds. Place taller plants in the rear of the planting bed -- and on the north side of the garden to prevent them from stealing sunlight from shorter plants. Keep exuberant plants cut back to keep them compact and bushy so there's more room for other plants. And if you have the space, set up a potting or storage shed in a hidden part of the garden.
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