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The average Stoke Newington garden could surely enter for the title of
'smallest town garden'. This presents specific requirements and challenges. The area, with
its villagey atmosphere, is trying to come to terms with the side effects of recent
rediscovery. The general lack of space narrow roads, parking difficulties, flocks of
visitors makes our gardens even more precious as a refuge from the buzz of the main
streets.
 The spread of vegetation created by having a 'green chain' of
interlinked gardens allows us to breathe more easily, as the quality of the air can
certainly be very poor, particularly on hot summer days. It also acts as a link between
otherwise isolated green areas such as Abney Park and Clissold Park.
Small gardens such as ours are under-represented on television programmes and in the
press. Even the specialist titles appear to feature examples which are always that bit
bigger and better lit. The ideal house with a south-facing garden with exactly the right
amount of sunshine and light is rarer than we might believe.
Given the average size of a garden (4-5 metres wide by 6-10 metres long) and the need for
privacy required by most residents, the successful treatment of boundaries is crucial to
the creation of a comfortable atmosphere. The reduction of noise and intrusive visibility
are often the primary concerns. Whereas in larger gardens there are many possible
solutions, for smaller plots the key is a careful approach to the choice of suitable
plants, their relationship and long-term impact on the garden next door. An insistence on
total seclusion can interfere with the neighbours' environment and lead to strained
relations.
In forthcoming issues, we shall examine some of the main criteria for a creative use of
space within the local constraints (and some advantages) of size, shape and position in a
harmonious gardening community.
Luisa Ferrari is a garden designer and consultant. She is the London correspondent of
the Italian gardening magazine Giardini and can be contacted on 020 7249 6762
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