small garden as the great requires planning, Ingė Auželieneprofessor at the Kaunas College of Forestry and Environmental Engineering, teacher of the greening course «Yellow Wheelbarrow», tells what can be done now, in autumn:
It is best to plan the garden from autumn – you still «freshly» remember what vegetables you liked, what interesting things you saw, how the shadows lengthen on the plot. It is important to plant not those vegetables that your neighbor can give you or that you bought at a yard sale, but those that you really like to eat – then the motivation is different!
A small garden: we have been planning it since autumn
size of the garden, important for the family, is often viewed differently based on needs. I suggest planting more crops that grow fast and can be eaten fresh, so that you always have fresh veggies ready to serve. You can also grow for soup – freeze, can, dry – but think ahead if you will have the desire and time for this. Advice: Only plant what you truly enjoy eating!
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Soil compactor: what is it? We are testing an alternative to plastic nurseriesGarden plan. The garden should have all kinds of vegetables: leafy, bean, root, fruit. Since it is not wise to plant the same crops in the same area for several years continuously, I recommend splitting the garden into four sections and growing vegetables from all categories in changing spots. This method is known as crop rotation. With this, the same vegetables return to the same place after a 3-year gap. Naturally, be flexible with this advice, especially if you prefer certain vegetables over others.
Also, if you want to utilize your small garden and space effectively, plan multiple harvests each year. For example, plant lettuce or radishes in the fall (the best time to do this is now, before frost!), in spring, after the harvest, grow peas and later you can plant lettuce again for the fall. Small garden and combinations within it. Fruit trees, bushes, vegetables, and gardens: all of these can coexist, just choose the right companions, the right shape, and location. We can comfortably plant fruit trees in the garden or flower bed if they have compact leaves and few dropping fruits. If you want apple trees, pick columnar ones or those grown on trellises. Another option is to plant fruit trees in the northern area of the garden, where the shadows of the leaves won’t fall on the garden.
Don’t be afraid to mix decorative plants with edible plants – these two functions often go hand in hand. For example, a pumpkin on a compost bin not only receives much-needed fertilizer, but also covers and beautifies it. And many plants are not only tasty in themselves, but also decorative.
Garden work in autumn. If raised beds in your projects and you have already reserved a place for them, now is the time to prepare. Make a bed frame from boards, add raked leaves, straw, grass clippings and garden soil or compost prepared there. The best bed will be made during the winter! In spring, if necessary, you will replenish the soil, sow the first fruits and cover with film or a transparent sheet to warm it up more quickly. In a raised bed, the cover is very easy to apply.
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Chelsea Flower Show 2018 and Monika Sliesoraitytė’s impressionsHow to install raised beds, watch the video report on the «Yellow Wheelbarrow» YouTube channel.
Compost other leaves and grass, as well as organic garden waste and annual plant remains. Compost you have to lie down, and you don’t have to do anything extra now, the heating practically stops. Instead, in a year you will have excellent fertile soil without any particular effort.
Autumn leaves can serve as mulch. So don’t try to remove the leaves completely – if there are any near the bushes, rake them underneath. Except for lawns: leaves left on it can damage the lawn in that area. It is not for nothing that we say that the lawn requires a lot of care.
Conlusion
A small garden, just like a large one, requires thoughtful planning and clear intention. Autumn offers the perfect opportunity to reflect on the past growing season and prepare wisely for the next. As highlighted by Ingė Auželienė, professor at the Kaunas College of Forestry and Environmental Engineering and teacher of the greening course “Yellow Wheelbarrow,” this season is ideal for making informed decisions while memories of successes and disappointments are still fresh.
Planning in autumn allows gardeners to evaluate which vegetables truly brought satisfaction — both in taste and productivity. Instead of planting crops simply because seeds were available at a sale or shared by neighbors, it is far more meaningful to choose varieties that you genuinely enjoy eating. Personal preference directly influences motivation, care, and overall engagement with the garden. When you grow what you love, the process becomes more rewarding and purposeful.
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What are the most valuable tomatoes? Dietitian Vaida Kurpienė answers:This period is also valuable for observing natural elements such as sunlight patterns, shade length, soil condition, and plant placement. Understanding how shadows move across the plot or which areas retain moisture helps refine the layout for better results next season. Sketching plans, rotating crops, and improving soil health during autumn can prevent common mistakes and increase efficiency in spring.
Ultimately, a successful garden begins not with planting, but with thoughtful preparation. Whether the space is small or expansive, strategic planning ensures balance, productivity, and enjoyment. By reflecting honestly on your preferences and observations, you create a garden that aligns with your lifestyle and tastes. Autumn, therefore, is not the end of the season — it is the foundation for a more intentional and satisfying gardening year ahead.
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