3 DIY Solutions for a Patio Garden

by Judy Szablak 06/26/2022

Having a small outdoor space doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the benefits of nature. Even for small porches and patios there are some clever garden solutions that will let you grow and care for the plants you love. The best part is that many of these same solutions can be DIY with the right tools and know-how. Here we’ll go over some of the best gardening solutions for your porch or patio.

Hanging Planters

Hanging planters are a perfect way to make use of the vertical space you have on your patio. You can either hang planters from wall brackets or from a ceiling overhang if available. There are many styles and designs for hanging planters available, both in single-pot and multi-pot options.

To make the most efficient use of space you can DIY your own macrame plant hangers to hold individual pots. Terra cotta pots are widely available, budget-friendly and easy to customize if you want to add your own artistic flair. You can also use your choice of plants as a point of style as well. Trailing plants with cascading vines will add visual interest spilling out of pots and bright flowers add pops of color to the view.

Multi-Tier Planters

Multi-tier pots and planters are perfect space-saving gardening options and another solution that’s easy to make yourself. Collect a set of pots or planters in the same size and place them inside one another slightly offset from the center to allow more soil room. You can plant individual, smaller plants in each tier of your new “tower” and create a whimsical look while saving space.

Make sure to consider the specific needs of any plants you want to grow in this kind of planter arrangement. If you’re going purely decorative, opt for plants that don’t have extensive root systems and won’t mind being planted close to their neighbors. For extra aesthetic appeal, consider mixing trailing plants with more vertically growing varieties to get the most out of the allotted space.

Ladder-Style Shelving

As household plant care has increased in popularity, so have the display and storage solutions. One of the hottest trends that is also incredibly useful is ladder-style plant stands and shelves. While these take up more floor space, they can hold upwards of a dozen different potted plants. There are plenty of ready-made options available to purchase, but with some basic carpentry skills and online tutorials you can make your own for a fraction of the price.

One of the great things about making your own ladder shelf is that you can customize the size and amount of shelves you need. You can stay narrow and vertical or extend out horizontally—just make sure everything is safe and well-supported.

There are countless ideas out there for plant display and storage no matter what size of space you’re working with. If you have a small patio but want to have a lush and extensive garden, combining these clever DIY options can help you create the miniature jungle of your dreams.

About the Author
Author

Judy Szablak

With over 30 years in the industry, Realtor Judy Szablak has been on national television for her real estate expertise on the HGTV Network, featured on Martha Stewart Living Radio "Morning Living” , NPR radio as an expert real estate panelist, It’s Relevant News channel, and quoted in the Wall Street Journal for her in depth knowledge of Fairfield County Connecticut real estate.

She was also on the local NPR radio station (WSHU) as a Fairfield County CT real estate expert. Judy has provided multiple online respected news sources with her real estate expertise including The Daily Easton, The Daily Weston, The Daily Fairfield, The Daily Stamford and The Daily Greenwich, as well as in print in the New York Post. She is a weekly Real Estate Columnist for WestportNow.com, another real estate column "Real Estate With Judy” is syndicated through Hearst CT Media Online and seen in The Connecticut Post, The Danbury News-Times, The Stamford Advocate, The Greenwich Time, The Hour, Fairfield Citizen, Westport News, Darien News, New Canaan News and the Wilton Villager.

 Judy is also the author of the book, The Art of Buying or Selling a Home, available at all major book retailers. Additionally, Judy has been nationally recognized in a number of national real estate trade magazines, some with distribution to over 1 million members. She was featured in Real Estate Today as early as 1994 for her commitment to, and implementation of technology in real estate. Judy appeared in the Certified Residential Specialist Magazine, as she provided advice on marketing strategies and ethics in the article titled "Marketing Makeovers.”

 Judy was also featured in REALTOR® Magazine, regarding image enhancement for Realtors. She was again featured in REALTOR® Magazine, in an article on "Achieving Flow” and operating at optimal peak performance. In another article in the same publication, Judy offered guidance to fellow real estate professionals as she explored the topic of implementing and maintaining personal websites. She has appeared in The Council of Residential Specialists Magazine, which featured her ideas regarding technology. Additionally, Judy authored an article on marketing and technology for the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Online Magazine. On two occasions, in 2015 and 2017, she appeared as a featured agent in Top Agent Magazine. I have a few other websites- www.TheCtrealtyBlog.com www.CtHomesAndRealEstate.com www.BestWestportHomes.com www.ThePetitePowerhouse.com www,SzablakConsulting.com