Get educated. Read books before you plant to learn about your many options. Some useful books are Small Space Gardens by David Stevens, Small Gardens for Modern Living: Making the Most of Your Outdoor Space by Hamlyn and Small Spaces, Beautiful Gardens by Keith Davitt.

Use vertical space. Plant climbing plants and use pergolas, trellises and fences to maximize vertical space for greenery. Truly Tiny Gardens by Thomasina Tarling is full of tips on efficient space use and other ideas for small gardens.

Pot vegetables. If you don’t have space for a vegetable garden, nearly any vegetable and herb can grow in a pot. A practical guide is The Edible Container Garden: Growing Fresh Food in Small Spaces by Michael Guerra.

Look before you leap. Consider a plant’s scale, proportion and aggressiveness before planting it. You don’t want to plant something that will take over or underutilize your small space.

Mulch and amend. These are critical to all gardens, especially small ones, because they reduce weeds and improve the soil.

Create garden rooms. Divide your garden into areas that stand on their own through varied landscaping. This also makes for easier care. Colorado Home and Garden Lovers Guide by Niki Hayden offers articles on a range of topics specific to this state.

Get artsy. Strategically placed mirrors, tiles and artwork can make a space appear larger than it is. Two books laden with clever ideas are Decorate Your Garden: Affordable Ideas and Ornaments for Small Gardens by Mary Keen and Ornament in the Small Garden by Roy C. Strong.

Get more shoebox gardening tips (and resources) in the Spring 2004 issue of Boulder County Home & Garden magazine. Subscribe today!