Image source
http://www.bo-laget.se/oversikt.php

Whilst researching this topic, small garden ideas, I have found that most of the available information is often lumped together in the urban garden back or front garden ideas sections of books and websites. It appears that small garden design only applies to these few areas of interest. I do understand the thinking in this, urban equals town, towns equal small gardens or yards (garden or yard, depending on what side of the pond you sit) and urban garden often means either a back or front garden, or both.

But I would like to think that when searching for small garden ideas you might have in mind a balcony garden or an area within a larger garden that you might want to keep separate. Why limit yourself to only front garden ideas. Small garden design ideas can be gleaned from many places, including whopping great garden estates and botanical gardens. Good garden design ideas come from many sources.

Here in the image above we have a corner seat against a wall covered in a climber. I bet this can be seen in many large gardens but it works very well on a small balcony garden. Garden design ideas can be taken from any size garden and applied to your own living space.

You should not limit your scope by only viewing ‘Small Gardens’ when looking for your small garden ideas inspiration.

Think of small gardens as compartments, rooms or pockets within a garden. By doing this your small garden ideas will flow more readily as your information and ideas base is much larger.
One easy way to have a better understanding of what works and what doesn’t is to see what others are doing.

I have put together a list of small garden ideas websites that will hopefully provide some good garden design ideas inspiration, starting with 50 small garden ideas.

http://www.shelterness.com/50-small-urban-garden-design-ideas-and-pictures/

There are many differing viewpoints when discussing small garden design. THE PROBLEM – You have a small outdoor space but don’t know how to maximise it’s functionality and worth… – Do I improve this area for my lifestyle and wellbeing? – Do I invest money in this area to get a good return from the sale of my home?

http://thesmallgarden.com.au/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-outdoor-space-part-1/

It is important to think about ‘living zones’ in even the smallest garden. Think about what you enjoying doing in your outdoor space – it could be entertaining guests, playing with your kids or simply having some ‘me time’ with a good book.

http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_GB/campaigns/Outdoor/small_space_garden_ideas.html

Is your yard or garden small on space? Get big ideas for making the most out of your outdoor sanctuary

http://www.sunset.com/garden/landscaping-design/small-gardens–00418000077330/

Stretch a little square footage into a lot of room for outdoor living with these budget-friendly ideas. We’ll show you how to make the most of limited outdoor living space.

http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/porch/outdoor-rooms/improve-small-backyard/#page=1

To create a feeling of expansiveness in a small yard, carve out distinct garden areas and outdoor rooms.

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/thumbnails/0,,1635165,00.html

More pictorial small garden ideas. When the space is limited but enthusiasm isn’t, think containers.

http://www.marthastewart.com/337398/small-space-garden-ideas

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Today, more than ever before with the help of the Internet it is ridiculously simple to search out others recommendations for any given area of interest, in any given location, whether it be alpine gardens or a grand courtyard garden incorporating architecture and planting design ideas.

The photo above of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens is courtesy of TripAdvisor

But do not think for one minute that you actually need to book a holiday, once again with the Internet at your disposal you can take a virtual garden tour and glean some very useful gardening tips also.

For instance, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town situated on the slopes of Table Mountain is one place on my ‘must do’ list. Youtube and Trip adviser with over 1600 reviews and 480+ images gave me all the info I needed to confirm, I must do this soon.

Even the thought of spring in Paris can elicit a sigh. The combination of great architecture, history and outrageously good food makes Paris one of the most alluring destinations in the world, and garden lovers who visit the “City of Light” in spring can enjoy grand displays in the city’s numerous parks and public gardens.[...]

Click here for more inspiration www.houzz.com

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I did suffer in the past but not any more. My miraculous cure, from not only Hay Fever but Asthma as well (according to my UK doctor and my symptoms) came when I moved out of the UK.

Drastic I know but most certainly effective. OK, the move away was not brought on by the ailments but the move away did make my ailments disappear.
This is why I ask, is this a British in the garden thing?

I was told, at the age of 50 that I did have asthma and was prescribed the various inhalers that I needed to use regularly. I already knew that Hay Fever was an issue for me as working in Horticulture it had become apparent, early on. If I did not start taking the tablets in early April I knew that runny nose, itchy eyes and that horrible wretched feeling that goes with Hay Fever would follow and would continue for most of the Summer months. Not good for someone making a living from growing plants.

Birch trees, wind pollinated plants, ornamental grasses, ferns, lavender and lilies are the plants to avoid in the garden if you have hay fever and pollens, mould, spores, dust and strong scents will not help if you suffer from asthma according to the article below by David Wilkes in the Daily Mail.

Oh, and in case you are wondering, I went to China – The land of dust, strong scents and plenty of wind pollinated plants.
From the day I arrived and still now nearly 7 years on I have never needed a Hay fever tablet or asthma inhaler – Leaving the UK cured me, overnight – It’s a funny old gardeners world…

And one other thing, my hay fever suffering and asthma got far worse when I lived in East Anglia, UK, the land of oil seed rape and mustard…

Rapeseed pollen contains known allergens. Whether rape pollen causes hay fever has not been well established, because rape is an insect-pollinated (entomophilous) crop, whereas hay fever is usually caused by wind-pollinated plants. The inhalation of oilseed rape dust may cause asthma in agricultural workers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapeseed

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustard_plant

The fields of the UK seem to have a lot of oilseed rape in them this year (2012). Why?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18249840

By David Wilkes PUBLISHED: 17:22 EST, 22 May 2012 | UPDATED: 04:17 EST, 23 May 2012 Both of these gardens look trendy and lush, but there is one important difference. One is a hotbed for hay fever while the other will leave allergy sufferers pleasingly sneeze-free. The trick is [...]

Click here for more from www.dailymail.co.uk

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