A practical guide to creating a green oasis in the city. Big Ideas for Small Spaces is for anyone with a small outdoor space that they wish to "green up". While the projects and advice are valuable to any gardener, they are especially useful to urbanites surrounded by concrete who nonetheless want to enjoy the soothing environment of a garden. Thirty step-by-step projects show how to transform balconies, windowsills, rooftops, pocket-sized patios, even walls, into features of lush greenery, grasses and blooms. They reveal how to create space for perennials, herbs, vegetables, bulbs for season-long flowers, and even shrubs or small trees, as well as seating, tables, lighting, and decorative elements. The first four sections provide expert advice with numerous illustrated examples: 1. Garden Anywhere -- Why small spaces are different (Microclimates, Wind, Shade, Pollution, Access, Water, Weight, Privacy); Why get growing (Beauty, the Environment, Health, Wildlife, Pollution, Crime, Community) 2. Where Does Your Garden Grow -- Making the most of your space (Container growing, Raised beds, Walls, Windowsills, Rooftops, Balconies, Patios, Side yards) 3. Think Outside the Box -- Design tricks (Focal points, Breaking up a small space, Boundaries, Color, Creative containers, Lighting, Water, Mirrors, Storage, Seating) 4. The Projects - The projects include "You Will Need" checklists, tip boxes, and step-by-step photographs.