Think outside the box when starting your Yardtopia, and add a botanical bento to your outdoor space. Emily Spradley, yardtopia.com content manager, offers expert tips.
Q. What exactly is a botanical bento?
Spradley: A botanical bento is a mini raised garden bed made up of four quadrants that are perfect for starting small plants or herbs. It was created to be either a first step or an addition to your Yardtopia. I love that it has the ability to fit anyone’s needs or style. I decided to fill mine with my favorite water-friendly plants and placed it on a side table on my patio to finish off the design of my perfect outdoor sitting area, complete with string lights and an outdoor dog bed.
Q. What are the best plants to put in a botanical bento?
Spradley: The best plants are the ones you are most interested in growing or that fit in best with your aesthetic. If you plan to have a large herb garden, you could use your botanical bento to kickstart the growth and eventually move it to a larger space. If you aren’t sure where to begin, I recommend going with California-native plants, such as yarrow or succulents. Try to keep all plants within the same watering and care schedule. That will help for easy maintenance and keeping your plants happy.
Q. Is it easy to build a botanical bento from scratch?
Spradley: It is! There is a helpful DIY article online detailing all the tools and recommendations for supplies and a step-by-step breakdown of how to safely assemble your botanical bento. Read more at yardtopia.com/bento.
Q. What are some other easy starts to make a yard more water efficient?
Spradley: Yardtopia.com has great articles and guides on how to create a more water-efficient yard with topics that include ground cover alternatives to grass, pet-friendly landscaping and more. There’s even a section for weekend projects. Big or small outdoor spaces, side yards or patios, it’s a great resource to help you find what matters most to you.
Emily Spradley brings a rare combination of hands-on conservation experience and strategic storytelling to the Yardtopia Initiative, bridging the gap between complex environmental concepts and the accessible, actionable guidance homeowners are looking for.
