Just because you have a small space, Think up not out. Plant tall vines, shrubs, full size evergreens. Then plant small pots of shade loving flowers around the bottom of the tall plants.

Don't fill your containers to the brim with soil, leave at least one inch at the top so water can pool and soak in.

Give your container plants extra water and fertilizer. in hot weather you may have to water everyday.

Trellises are making a comeback, use them as a mini screen, or like half open shutters in a corner, put one in a big pot on your patio or porch.

Don't forget your houseplants, give them a fresh handful of potting soil.

You will have the best luck, if you use plants native to your area. The wildlife will appreciate it too.

When you landscape don't use black plastic, use landscape fabric instead(it's healthier for the soil, and plants).

Leave browning foliage on spring blooming bulbs to rejuvenate them for the next year.

Before planting a new bed take the time to improve the soil, by adding plenty of peat moss, compost,and other soil amendments. It pays off with more beautiful flowers and less watering.

Don't forget to add plants with a terrific fragrance, along a pathway or next to the patio. Some of these sweet smelling favorites are: Daylilies, Dianthus, Plox, Nicotiana, Petunia, and Roses.

When planning your flowerbed don't forget to add a small meandering pathway, even if it ends at a fence. Its inviting, and it makes it easier to work on both sides of the bed. your guests will love strolling through the garden, and you can add a few surprises in the knooks and cranny's.

If you want to attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your yard, and have limited space. Then use plants that will attract both like: Monarda, Butterfly bush, Petunias, Zinnias, Cosmo, and Corn flowers.

DID YOU KNOW:

Basil repels mosquitoes and flies;

Borage keeps tomato worms away;

Coriander kills spider mites and aphids;

Garlic keeps away Japanese beetles, aphids, weevils, fruit tree borers and spider mites;

Garlic, onions and chives keep plants free of aphids, rabbits, and beetles hate garlic buds;

Mint keeps ants away;

Nasturtium lures insects & keeps them off nearby flowers;

Sage keeps cabbage moths, carrot flies and ticks away;

White geraniums & Japanese beetles do not like each other;

ALKALINE TEST FOR SOIL. To check if your soil is severely alkaline, take a tablespoon of dried garden soil and add a few drops of vinegar. If the soil fizzes, the pH is above 7.5

ACIDITY TEST FOR SOIL. To check for the acidity in your soil, take a tablespoon of wet soil and add a pinch of baking soda. If the soil fizzes, the soil is probably very acidic, with a pH less than 5.0

Sow more zinnia seeds the end of June to replace the ones that devlop mildew.

To increase the yield of your tomatoes add a couple of antacides (Tums) when you plant. Tomatoes love calcium.

Tired of cleaning the dirt from your fingernails after a day of planting in the garden? Before you start grubbing in the dirt with your hands, scratch a bar of soap with your fingernails. When your ready to clean up the soap will dissolve.