10 Small Landscaping Projects for Your Yard

You don’t need a massive space to create a productive garden. With thoughtful landscaping and smart design, you can turn even a tiny outdoor area into a thriving edible garden. Here are ten small landscaping projects that will help you maximize space while growing fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs right at home.

1. Raised Bed Gardens

Raised beds are a great way to maximize growing space and improve soil quality, especially in small yards where in-ground planting may not be ideal. They allow you to control the soil mix, improve drainage, and reduce weed growth.

A few tips for raised beds in small yards:

• Use untreated wood, bricks, or galvanized metal to build your beds.
• Keep them narrow (about 3-4 feet wide) so you can reach plants from both sides without stepping on the soil.
• Fill them with a rich mix of compost and soil to provide a fertile growing environment for vegetables and herbs.

Raised beds work well for nearly any crop, including leafy greens, root vegetables, and even compact fruiting plants like strawberries.

2. Vertical Gardens

When ground space is limited, going vertical is the solution! Vertical gardens allow you to grow more food without taking up valuable yard space.

Ways to create a vertical garden:

• Trellises & Arches: Support climbing plants like peas, beans, and cucumbers.
• Wall-Mounted Planters: Install planter boxes or pockets on fences and walls to grow herbs and greens.
• Hanging Baskets: Perfect for strawberries, cherry tomatoes, or small peppers.
• Pallet Gardens: Repurpose wooden pallets to create a vertical herb or salad garden.

Vertical gardening not only saves space but also adds visual interest to your yard, making it a beautiful and functional feature.

3. Container Gardening Nook

If you don’t have room for garden beds, container gardening is the next best thing. Containers allow you to grow a variety of plants in small spaces, including patios, balconies, and small yards.

Benefits of container gardening:

• Flexibility – move plants around to optimize sunlight.
• Control over soil quality and moisture.
• Reduced risk of pests and soil-borne diseases.

What to grow in containers?

• Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants (use larger pots for these).
• Herbs like basil, mint, and chives.
• Dwarf fruit trees such as figs, lemons, or apples in larger containers.

Use a mix of container sizes and heights to create an attractive and functional garden nook!

4. Edible Pathway

Why not make your walkways both beautiful and edible? Instead of traditional landscaping plants, line your paths with low-growing, food-producing plants.

Great plants for an edible pathway:

• Creeping Thyme: A fragrant, edible ground cover that releases a lovely scent when stepped on.
• Strawberries: Compact and productive, they add beauty and function to pathways.
• Chamomile: Produces tiny edible flowers and can handle some foot traffic.

Pair these with stepping stones or gravel paths to create a visually appealing and practical design.

5. Fruit Tree Espalier

Growing fruit trees in a small yard is possible with the espalier technique. Espalier is a pruning method that trains trees to grow flat against a fence or wall, saving space while still producing fruit.

Apple, plum, cherry and pear are good fruit trees for espaliering in colder climates.

How to start an espalier tree:

1. Choose a young tree and plant it near a sturdy fence, trellis, or wall.
2. Prune and guide the branches to grow horizontally along wires or supports.
3. Continue pruning regularly to maintain shape and encourage fruit production.

Espaliered trees add a beautiful, structured element to your yard while making the most of limited space.

Next Read: Growing Fruit Trees in Containers for Temperate Climates

6. Herb Spiral

A herb spiral is a compact, space-efficient way to grow multiple herbs in one spot. The spiral design creates microclimates—drier conditions at the top for rosemary and thyme, and more moisture at the bottom for basil and cilantro.

How to build a herb spiral:

1. Mark out a circular area (about 3-4 feet wide).
2. Use bricks, stones, or wood to create a spiral structure that rises higher in the center.
3. Fill with soil and plant herbs according to their water needs—drought-tolerant herbs at the top, and moisture-loving ones at the bottom.

This design not only looks great but also allows you to grow more herbs in a small footprint.

7. Pollinator-Friendly Edible Border

Attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators is essential for a productive garden. You can create a border that is both beautiful and useful by mixing edible plants with flowers that attract beneficial insects.

Great plants for a pollinator-friendly edible border:

• Lavender (attracts bees and can be used in cooking)
• Nasturtiums (edible flowers and leaves, plus they repel pests)
• Marigolds (bright flowers that deter garden pests)
• Flowering chives (great for pollinators and delicious in dishes)

These plants will help ensure your fruits and vegetables get the pollination they need while adding color and variety to your yard.

8. Compost Corner

Composting is an easy way to recycle kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich soil for your garden. Even in a small yard, you can set up a compost system that doesn’t take up much space.

Small-scale composting ideas:

• A compost bin: A compact bin tucked in a corner can handle most food and yard waste.
• Vermicomposting: A worm composting bin is a great option for small spaces.
• Bokashi composting: A fermentation method that works indoors or in tight spaces.

By making your own compost, you reduce waste and improve soil quality, leading to healthier plants.

9. Rain Barrel & Drip Irrigation

Saving water is important, especially in urban gardens. Installing a rain barrel allows you to collect rainwater for irrigation, and a simple drip irrigation system helps deliver water efficiently to your plants.

How to set it up:

• Place a rain barrel under a downspout to collect water.
• Use a hose or watering can to distribute collected rainwater to your plants.
• Consider installing a DIY drip irrigation system to provide slow, consistent watering directly to the roots.

This setup not only saves money on water bills but also ensures your plants stay hydrated without overwatering.

10. Mini Greenhouse or Cold Frame

If you want to extend your growing season, a small greenhouse or cold frame is a great investment.

Options for small yards:

• DIY cold frame: Build a simple wooden frame covered with clear plastic or old windows to protect seedlings.
• Mini greenhouse: Small, portable greenhouses are available for urban gardens.
• Row covers: Use fabric or plastic tunnels over garden beds to extend the season.

With a mini greenhouse, you can start plants earlier in the spring and keep them growing longer into the fall and winter.

Making the Most of Your Small Yard

Small yards don’t have to limit your gardening potential. With these creative landscaping projects, you can grow your own food in an efficient and aesthetically pleasing way. Whether you choose to build raised beds, go vertical, or add a rainwater collection system, every small step can make a big impact on your garden’s productivity.