I was downsized out of my beloved garden!

I stood on my postage-stamp sized patio, peering directly into my neighbor’s window. My new outdoor space was a big change from the acres of land I had spent years cultivating into elaborate gardens on my previous home, a sprawling farm. But my son was finally settled in college, and my old stone house had become too much to maintain. It was long past time to downsize to a smaller place, so I rented a small place in a charming neighborhood far different than the rural area I had lived in for the past twenty-five years.

Leaving my gardens was heartbreaking. The azaleas were flourishing, the peaches on the peach tree were the sweetest I’ve ever tasted, and the butterfly garden just needed two more honeysuckles. The thought of saying goodbye to my delicate hibiscus made me weep. I wondered if I would ever again experience that peaceful feeling that swept over me as I dug my hands deep in the soil and the strong scent of lilacs wafted through the air.

I did, but it was a process. Here’s what you need to know if you’re going from acres and acres to a sliver of outdoor space.

Saved by the Sad Geranium

When I first moved into my apartment, I had no idea what to do with my patio (all 12x15 feet of it). I missed the huge flower beds I had so painstakingly dug out, mulched, and designed, so I mostly ignored my tiny space. But I never stopped longing for a green sanctuary. Then, one day, as I was grocery shopping, I noticed a sad-looking geranium on sale. It was desperate for water. I walked by it at least twice before picking it up. “You just need some love, and you’ll be as good as new,” I said as I put it in my cart. At home, I brought the geranium back to life with nutrients, sun, and the right amount of water. It was flourishing, but it still looked kind of pathetic out there all alone on the patio.

I was hesitant to add more plants. Afterall, I was renting and I didn’t want to invest too much time or money into my patio. Then one day, I walked by a small shop that had plants outside. They all looked so inviting, and I remembered my gardens back home. I realized that it was silly not to have a few plants to brighten up my new home. Within two weeks, the space was filled with two ivy plants, fresh herbs, including rosemary and basil, miniature roses, and two kinds of daisies. Before I knew it, I was at the home-goods store purchasing a small shovel, decorative pots, and bags of soil. More plants followed.

Downsizing lesson: Stop mourning, start planting.

Illustration of a woman kneeling on a balcony and watering potted flowers in a terracotta container using a small watering can.

Scaling My Expectations

Now that I had all these plants, I wanted to sit and enjoy them. I needed a place to lounge and enjoy the warm weather. One morning, out on the patio, with the sun on my face as I transplanted my new coleus, I decided I wanted to add a café table. But knew I would have to think small. On the farm, I had endless seating. Here I would be limited to two chairs.

I also wanted privacy. I didn’t need my neighbors watching me sip my coffee each morning in my fuzzy pink robe. I purchased four large rectangular planters and natural wood trellises. Then I planted mature clematis, training it to climb by looping the stems into the trellis.

As I slowly added more plants, I thought about where each would live on my patio. I could no longer load up my car and then figure it out as I went along. Patio gardening was turning out to be a serious lesson in patience and precision.

Downsizing lesson: Have a place to perch and spend time appreciating your plants. Even a stool next to a window box will let you revel in your smidgen of nature.

Illustration of a woman sitting on a balcony bench reading a book surrounded by various potted plants and a small side table.

Letting the Flower Power Flow

With so little square footage, I had to learn to think up and not out. To create a feeling of harmony, I added plant stands of varying height. The purples, reds, and oranges now brought a carnival of color to my previously bland patio. The finishing touch was a cream-colored table umbrella, which not only blocked the sun but also provided additional privacy from the people above me. To keep my small space tidy, I also purchased a small outdoor storage closet for my gardening tools.

Finally, wanting to make the indoor/outdoor transition feel seamless, I added potted plants both on the floor and on an entry table directly inside my patio doors. Now the flower power could flow both ways. That was an important discovery for me, going from dozens of acres to a couple of square feet: Gardening in otherwise forgotten spaces, in the entryway, using window boxes and corners, and even making a small pathway of pots to my door spruced up my space.

Downsizing lesson: Just because you don’t have room for a flower bed doesn’t mean you can’t garden; work those nooks and crannies.

Illustration of a hand placing a tiny potted plant into a miniature, detailed garden patio layout featuring tiny furniture and foliage.

Finding Joy in Small Things

Most of the work is complete, but the best part about gardening — whether it’s on a big scale or small one — is that it’s never done. I’m constantly upgrading, adding color, and moving pots around. Each morning, I head outdoors to my little sanctuary with a hot cup of coffee and my latest read. I know that whatever else happens for the rest of the day, at least I’ve had a few minutes of peace in a beautiful space.

I still miss my big farm sometimes, and I long for my old gardens, but I’ve gotten used to patio life. I’ve had to get creative and make tough choices — can I really squeeze one more fern into that planter? Is there enough sun to keep these delicate zinnias happy and allow for optimal plant growth? But the most important lesson I’ve learned is that there is immense and unexpected joy in the simplicity of a small garden.

Illustration of a woman sitting comfortably on a chair outdoors, reading a book while surrounded by an array of potted plants, flowers, and greenery.

About the writer

Aileen Weintraub is a lifestyle, travel, and health journalist whose work has been featured in The Smithsonian, Oprah Daily, BBC, Washington Post, and many others. Her memoir Knocked Down: A High-Risk Memoir is a University of Nebraska Best Seller. You can find out more about her at aileenweintraub.com and on LinkedIn.

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I was downsized out of my beloved garden!