How to Create a Courtyard Garden in a Yard
- 1). Create the garden in your mind. Mark off the physical boundaries, and note any features to be moved or eliminated (e.g., scrawny shrubs, basketball goals, or compost piles). Decide whether you want an energizing space, or a calming environment. Visualize the flowers, the trees, and other elements such as statuary or fountains. For more inspiration, borrow features from other small gardens you admire. Finally, look for "Gardening in Small Spaces" books at your bookseller.
- 2). Confirm the logistics. Contact local zoning and building inspector's offices, and see if permits are required. If you live in a community with covenants or a homeowners' association, confirm that your proposed garden will be in harmony with their regulations.
- 3). Consult a landscape architect. Unless you are a garden design expert, find a professional who can transform your sketches into a coordinated plan that conforms to scale. Good landscape designers will include advice on specific plants, along with their planting and care instructions. With careful planning, your garden can exhibit colorful foliage throughout the year.
- 4). Decide who will do the digging. Once you have chosen a garden design, you have four options: (1) Prepare and plant the garden yourself; (2) Ask the landscape architect and his assistants to do the planting; (3) Choose a mix of Options 1 and 2; (4) Hire college horticultural students with plenty of energy.
- 5). Find a source of gardening information. For gardening questions, local Master Gardeners are a wellspring of horticultural knowledge. Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who work with local Cooperative Extension Services. Master Gardeners can perform many functions: (1) Identify plant, insect and disease issues; (2) Conduct plant clinics; (3) Conduct gardening lectures; (4) Design and oversee community gardens.
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