When your plant list is longer than the available gardening space, it's time to expand your planting options. Create new gardening spaces by adding raised bed gardens, raised flower pots and containers where the space allows.

Convert the end of the driveway or the edge of the terrace into a raised bed garden. Just use the raised bed liner to contain the soil. Raising the garden makes planting, maintenance and harvesting of the back and knees easier. It also allows you to create the perfect soil foundation by filling the elevated bed with high-quality planting mix.

Long-lasting cedar is the traditional choice for loft beds. Now you can also find products of various shapes and sizes made of wood and plastic composites or metal. Nowadays, it is much easier to find a way to complement your gardening style and space.

Reduce watering time using automatic watering metal raised beds (gardeners.com) or similar products. The self-watering elevated bed has a built-in reservoir to extend the watering interval. Or use overhead drip irrigation or soaking hose irrigation systems to easily spray water directly onto the required soil.

The elevated garden is just a container on the leg. They are perfect for terraces, balconies and other hard surfaces. Use them to define space, create privacy, and of course you can also grow ornamental and edible plants. When guests arrive, those with wheels can be easily removed. Or let them go to a party so that everyone can harvest and decorate their meals with fresh herbs and vegetables from the garden.

Just pull up a chair and start planting or weeding your elevated garden. Plant vines in plants with built-in trellises and protect the plants with frost and insect cover to extend the season. Choose an elevated flower pot with a shelf below to store gardening tools and accessories.

Even gardeners with small spaces can expand the planting space with the help of containers. You will find many attractive options for your front steps, terraces, balconies or decks.

Railing flower pots and window frames do not take up floor space, but can decorate any outdoor area. Plant herbs in pots near the kitchen, and plant flowers where extra color is needed. Add some pollinator-friendly plants to attract butterflies and hummingbirds to watch and appreciate.

Use outdoor lighting to extend your time outdoors. Or look for multifunctional options, such as solar-powered flower pots. Solar powered, lightly press the switch, you can choose monochrome or multi-color light color display.

Don't let the idea of ​​frequent watering stop you from growing in containers and elevated gardens. Automatic watering options are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, including classic and curved automatic watering Valencia window frames.

Once you have chosen your raised bed, raised garden or container, you need to fill it with planting or potting mix. Use the soil calculator to figure out exactly how much is needed. Just insert the size and shape into the table. It will tell you how many cubic yards or cubic feet of soil you need for an elevated bed, and how many quarts you need for a container and elevated garden.

Expanding the garden does not necessarily mean more work. Choosing the right options that provide convenience and easy care can help you grow more flowers and garden fresh produce during this season.

Melinda Myers is the author of more than 20 gardening books, including Gardening in Small Spaces. She hosted The Great Courses "How to Grow anything" DVD series and Melinda's Garden Moment TV and radio shows. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine, and was commissioned by Gardeners Supply to write this article with his expertise. Her website is http://www.MelindaMyers.com.

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Veratrum is a genus of winter flowering plants in the Ranunculaceae family and consists of about 20 species, many of which may be grown in our region. When I peruse an old-fashioned "New Garden...

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