Visit the Small Space Gardening Exhibit (U.S. National Park Service)

While the Roosevelts had a plenty of space for an expansive garden, the small space garden exhibit demonstrates different systems for gardening with whatever space you have available. The designs displayed here address the common challenges faced when gardening and provide sensible solutions for the home grower. With as little space as it takes to set down your groceries, you could be growing fresh veggies.

The Small Space Gardening Exhibit is located in the Roosevelt Home Garden. An audio tour is available by phone. Just follow the dialing instructions placed throughout the garden, or access the audio files from this page with your smart device.

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Introduction (Stop 107)
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You don't need a large garden to grow your own veggies.

Credit / Author:

National Park Service
Audio Transcript

Welcome to the Roosevelt Home Garden. This large vegetable garden was overseen by the President’s mother and her staff. They grew the wide variety of vegetables you see today. While the Roosevelts had plenty of space for this expansive garden, this small space garden exhibit demonstrates different systems for gardening with whatever space you have available. The designs displayed here address the common challenges faced when gardening and provides accessible solutions for the home grower.
With as little space as it takes to set down your groceries, you could be growing fresh veggies. A repurposed cardboard box bound for recycling, a simple container, or even an old shopping bag, will allow you all the space you need to begin. A variety of veggies such as carrots, lettuce, and tomatoes can be grown at home with limited space by expanding along a vertical plane. Trellises, stacked planters, and containers use a narrow footprint design combined with companion planting strategies to consolidate space through diversity.
Many of us do not have the time to pour hours of effort into a new hobby. The approaches shown throughout this exhibit offer simple ways to enjoy the benefits of growing with minimal maintenance. Automatic timers, soaker hoses, and mulching cut down on the time spent watering and weeding. Other systems show solutions that save time by providing continuous moisture and direct composting to manage plant needs.
Whether you choose to recycle what you have on hand at home or purchase a few small upgrades, all it takes to get started are some soil and seeds. The systems here show you how to grow with what you’ve got, making the most of the tools and space you have available.
From our garden to yours, wherever you go, we hope you grow.

Veggie Hut (Stop 108)
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The spine of an old patio umbrella makes a good trellis.

Credit / Author:

National Park Service
Audio Transcript

The spine of an old patio umbrella was recycled to start this garden by creating a trellised roof, excellent for vining plants such as gourds, green beans, and tomatoes. Growing along the vertical plane transforms this small space into a secret hideaway, fun for kids playing or just relaxing in the shade. The trellis affords a high yield of delicious veggies with a soil base for rooting plants that is only a foot wide. Here, a soaker hose addresses water needs managed on an automatic timer, weeding out the need for routine maintenance.

Reservoirs (Stop 109)
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Reservoir systems used throughout this garden cut down on the needs for watering.

Credit / Author:

National Park Service
Audio Transcript

Reservoir systems, used in a variety of containers throughout this garden, cut down on the needs for watering. This tabletop trough shows overflow holes drilled two inches from the bottom to prevent excess water retention. The bottom of the container is filled with gravel to the level of the holes, and compost and potting soil are placed on top to plant in. This design allows plants to access the moisture needed without the problems associated with overwatering. A sight gauge made from a small planter or a section of PVC pipe can be added to view the level of moisture immediately.

Modified Dutch Bucket System (Stop 110)
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The modified Dutch bucket system uses a section of rain gutter to create a reservoir that keeps the roots of the plants moist.

Credit / Author:

National Park Service
Audio Transcript

The Modified Dutch Bucket System uses a section of rain gutter to create a reservoir that keeps the roots of the plants moist. A netted cup inserted through a hole in the bottom of the bucket sits down in the gutter. Water from the gutter enters the bucket through the cup. A float valve calibrates water flow into the gutter to replenish what is used automatically making this garden extremely easy to maintain. A light mulch used on the surface of the soil in each bucket reduces the need for weeding. Constructed along a path no wider than a foot, this garden is adjustable to suit your needs by adding or subtracting the number of buckets in the line. Attaching a trellis can be used to support larger crops and heavy yields.

Shopping Bags (Stop 111)
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Planters can even be made from grocery bags.

Credit / Author:

National Park Service
Audio Transcript

Planters made from recyclable grocery bags can be used to grow almost any produce. When roots reach the side of the bag, they sense the drier environment. They stop growing at the tips and form more roots in the center of the bag. These compact root systems work in your favor by supporting the growth of the plant within a smaller space without sacrificing the quality.

African Keyhole Compost (Stop 112)
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The raised bed semi-circle design provides accessibility by placing plant care within reach.

Credit / Author:

National Park Service
Audio Transcript

The raised bed, semi-circle design of this garden provides accessibility by placing the bulk of plant care within reach. The location of a compost bin made of wire in the center of the bed delivers nutrients and moisture to the soil directly. This arrangement makes it fun and easy for all to participate in growing their favorite plant varieties throughout the season.

Visit the Small Space Gardening Exhibit

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Introduction (Stop 107)

Veggie Hut (Stop 108)

Reservoirs (Stop 109)

Modified Dutch Bucket System (Stop 110)

Shopping Bags (Stop 111)

African Keyhole Compost (Stop 112)

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Contact Us

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Introduction (Stop 107)

Veggie Hut (Stop 108)

Reservoirs (Stop 109)

Modified Dutch Bucket System (Stop 110)

Shopping Bags (Stop 111)

African Keyhole Compost (Stop 112)

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