When you choose to live in a Tiny House, you often opt for a lifestyle in harmony with nature. Many Tiny House residents dream of having a green, private garden around their small home, but what if you’re part of a temporary housing project? How can you still create a beautiful garden, even though you know you won’t stay there permanently? Let’s explore the possibilities of creating a temporary yet sustainable garden!
A temporary garden that thrives
In temporary housing projects, the basic idea is that you won’t live in the same place indefinitely. This might mean that after ten or fifteen years, you may need to move your Tiny House. This requires a different approach to garden design than if you were on your own plot, or a plot with perpetual leasehold, where you never have to leave. Luckily, there are plenty of creative solutions to create a delightful garden without making it a burden when it’s time to move.
The key is to make choices that are flexible and easy to remove, while still contributing to biodiversity and your enjoyment of the space. You don’t need a permanent piece of land to enjoy a green environment!
The use of sod grass: instant results
One of the easiest and most flexible solutions for a temporary garden around your Tiny House is to use sod grass. Sod grass is ready-made grass that you can lay immediately, giving you an instant green effect. This is ideal for temporary projects because sod is easy to remove or relocate. It also covers bare soil right away, which is good for the ground. You instantly have a lovely lawn to lie or sit on, and it gives a natural appearance to the area around your house.
Photo credit: depositphotos.com
Sod grass can also be perfectly combined with other temporary green solutions, such as plants in containers, mobile raised garden beds, or even elevated planters. This way, you can create a beautiful green environment without worrying about what will happen when you move on in a few years.
Step-by-step: getting started
Creating a temporary garden is a bit easier if you plan the process well. Here are some steps to help you create a green oasis around your Tiny House:
1. Start with the basics. sod grass. Since sod grass is quick to lay and gives immediate results, it forms a perfect base for your garden. Be sure to prepare the ground well: remove any weeds and level the surface. Then, lay the sod grass in a neat line. While it’s instantly walkable, give it a few weeks to take root and water it a few times a day during dry weather.
2. Use mobile elements. Choose planters on wheels, pots, or even old pallets to brighten up your garden. These can easily be taken with you when you move. Using pallet edges filled with landscaping fabric and soil, you can quickly and cheaply create raised beds or temporary borders. Turn them into herb gardens by planting lavender, rosemary, and thyme—then you can step right outside your Tiny House and pick herbs for the kitchen. Or fill them with low-maintenance perennials or ornamental grasses that add atmosphere without much upkeep.
3. Create biodiversity. Consider setting up a small, portable vegetable garden or flower boxes filled with wildflowers. These will attract bees and butterflies, boosting biodiversity in your temporary garden. A blooming garden livens up your Tiny House spot and contributes to nature, even if it’s not a permanent stay. Flower seed mixes are an affordable way to add biodiversity to your garden.
4. Provide shade and shelter. A pergola with climbing plants, a shade cloth, or a portable hedge can help create privacy and provide shade during warm summer days. Since these elements aren’t permanently fixed, they can easily be moved or dismantled if needed.
Think About the Future
If you know your garden is temporary, it’s wise to plan ahead for how you will leave the garden when it’s time to move. By choosing sod and portable garden elements, you can ensure that the ground where your Tiny House stood can be easily restored. When the term of your Tiny House project has ended, you can return the land in good condition.
The great thing about a temporary garden with movable elements is that you can be very creative without the pressure of a fixed layout. Plus, there are so many clever, sustainable solutions that help you quickly create a beautifully green environment. Even if your location is only temporary, your Tiny House still deserves a cozy garden!
Photo credits: Lopke van de Reijt, De Kleine Burg, Esther Gebuis, Marjolein Jonker.
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