Backyard Gardening In Small Spaces

March 24, 2014 by Peggy Layton 

If you really want to garden but you don’t have much space, don’t let that deter you. Here are some space-saving gardening ideas that just so happen to be affordable, too.

Rain Gutter Gardening

Rain gutters provide an ideal space for growing salad greens since lettuce, spinach and other greens have shallow root systems. This can be done in March and April since lettuce grows best in cool weather in the springtime. Mount the rain gutters the same way you would along the eves of your house. They don’t take up much space on the side of a shed or any other building. Mount them anywhere you have vertical space, such as on a fence, along a deck railing or under a windowsill. All you have to do is cut the rain gutter to size, cap the ends and drill holes every 6 inches for drainage. You can purchase the supplies to hang them at any place that sells rain gutters.
Supplies needed

• Rain gutter, any length you desire
• Rain gutter caps (2 per length)
• Rain gutter hangers (3-5 per length) mount every 3 feet
• Drill and 1/8 inch drill bit

Instructions

1. Place the length of rain gutter that you desire on a work surface. Clip one rain gutter cap on each end and lock them into place.
2. Turn the rain gutter upside down on a workbench. Drill 1/8-inch-diameter holes through the rain gutter every 6 inches along the entire length. The holes will allow the rain gutters to drain.
3. Position the rain gutter hangers along the surface where you want to hang the gutter every 3 to 4 feet. Using a screw gun, drive the screws through the mounting holes in the hangers and into the side of the building or fence to fasten them in place. Slide the gutter into the hangers to lock them in place.
4. Add potting soil to the gutter and fill it up so that it is level with the top edges of the rain gutter.
5. You may need a stepladder to reach the top gutter. Water the soil with a sprinkling hose or a watering can. With your finger make a furrow in the center of the soil down the length of the gutter. Plant the lettuce seeds into the furrow, planting approximately 20 seeds per foot. Cover over the seeds with potting soil and gently pack it down with your fingertips.
6. Water the lettuce often as it grows, keeping the soil moist at all times.