Gardening in a concrete yard?

Question

I have moved into an apartment with a concrete backyard. I'm not allowed to rip up the concrete. Can i still put topsoil over the concrete for small flowers and shrubs? Any ideas on how to creatively go beyond sinple potted plants? Thanks!

Answer 1

Yeah, you can. Build some large woodend boxes made out of treated lumber, locust wood, or cedar, over the concrete. Lay down some plastic at the bottom atlhough plastic may not be needed. Lay down at least a 3" layer, preferably 6" layer of sandbox sand. Then add a 10-12" layer of garden soil or top soil. The sand will allow the water to drain away so that the roots of your plants don't drown if you have a large rain by allowing the excess water to drain down into the sand. The sand also allows for the excess water to be used later if you get a dry spell through capillary action. The sand can kind of be used as a holding tank for the water. They use a similar kind of system for college and professional grass foot ball fields, but drainage pipe is added into the sand to allow water to be drained away or pumped in as needed.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

There are many different options that you could consider. If you are not concerned about staining the concrete with fertilizer and soil, there should be no problem with putting topsoil over the concrete, provided that you to have proper drainage installed.
( make sure that your neighbors won't mind the run off) Another thing to consider is how much topsoil you would need to make your backyard a garden. It will take a tremendous amount of top soil to cover even a spot as small as 12 by 12 ft because the soil has to cover the root balls of the shrubs, which could be anywhere from 10in to 2 ft deep depending on the size of the shrub. Try checking out this web site for more urban gardening info. http://www.urbangardeninghelp.com/ Also, don't give up on containers, because they are one of the best solutions for gardening in small spaces.

Answer 4

Have you considered decking over the concrete and also using the same boards to build raised planters at different heights they make superb planters but don't forget to line them inside. I normally use lots of variegated leafy plants, Hostas, grasses and Ivy's, they seem to work well in shady gardens, I'm not sure about veg but i do know that herbs also seem to do well to. I have been a landscaper for the last 20 years and have used this method many times with great success. GOOD LUCK and enjoy your garden.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

I'd recommend building dry walls out of bricks or blocks, make them high enough, most shrubs would need a depth of 50cm at least, and don't forget to add the height of your drainage layer of gravel (I'd recommend ca 10cm) at the bottom, otherwise you'll be restricted to bog plants in most climates.
You could make several little beds of different heights to give the illusion of more space than you actually have.

Be careful where it is adjacent to the house, put or paint a damp proof layer on, otherwise you might get wet walls inside.

Answer 7

Build a container on casters, maybe 2' X 2' to start out. If the plants don't do well in one area (shade, not enough sun) it can easily be moved.
Plants in terra cotta planters will soften the look of concrete.
And if you move, you can take it with you.

Answer 8

um no...that would be a waste of time because just get some money...then buy a better apartment or something that says you could rip up the concrete. Or you could just get some flower pots!
<3 macy

Answer 9

Forget the 'simple potted plants' and go for simply beautiful, individual containers! With these you can design a versital layout of plants; you can combine plants that need lots of watering, or very little watering (separate containers); large plants (i.e. colorful hybiscus, even tomatoes), large containers; smaller plants (i.e. herbs, begonias, gerbera daisies), smaller containers. With individual containers, you can safely use the appropriate fertilizer needed for better growth, better blooms, etc. Check yard/garage sales for beautiful, inexpensive containers; watch for plants that may need sun, partial sun/shade, or shade that will do well in your location.

Answer 10

you might try a few small childrens swimming pools. plant vining plants around the edges so that when they grow they will cover up the color of the pool. make sure you punch drain holes in it first. worked forr me. good luck.