Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Think you need a big backyard to create a beautiful garden? Think again.
Meet Pia Lefevre, a horticulturalist and landscape designer who has transformed a tiny 25m² rental courtyard in Melbourne into a lush urban oasis filled with more than 150 plants.
Using recycled Styrofoam boxes, milk crates, and a creative "Lego Garden" approach, Pia proves that renting and limited space don't have to be barriers to gardening. Her colourful container garden is a living experiment, allowing her to test plants, adapt layouts with the seasons, and create a joyful sanctuary for both people and wildlife.
In this video, Pia shares:
• How she grows over 150 plants in a small courtyard
• Creative and sustainable ways to upcycle Styrofoam containers
• Tips for gardening in rental properties and small urban spaces
• How she maximises sunlight with vertical gardening techniques
• The inspiration behind her award-winning "Dopamine Garden" design
• Why gardening is worth it, even if you don't own your home
Whether you have a balcony, courtyard, or compact backyard, this story is proof that any space can become a thriving garden with a little imagination.
#Gardening #ContainerGardening #SmallSpaceGarden #UrbanGardening #RentalGarden #MelbourneGardens #SustainableLiving #GardenDesign #Horticulture #DIYGarden #ContainerPlants #gardeningaustralia
00:00 Small Space Gardening
00:00:21 150 Plants, 25m²
00:00:40 Meet Pia
00:00:51 Renting & Gardening
00:01:05 The Lego Garden
00:01:18 Styrofoam Planters
00:01:35 Sustainable Gardening
00:01:52 Colour & Design
00:02:17 Gardening in Shade
00:02:55 A Garden Laboratory
00:03:30 The Dopamine Garden
00:03:56 Gardening with Colour
00:04:26 Small Space Benefits
00:05:00 Why Renters Should Garden
📺Gardening Australia — Stream all seasons on ABC iview: ab.co/GardeningAustraliaiview
Subscribe 🔔 ab.co/GA-subscribe
Factsheet 📃 https://www.abc.net.au/gardening/how-to/containing-a-courtyard-renters-container-garden/107112336
___________________________________________
Inspiring, entertaining and full of practical advice - Gardening Australia is an ABC TV program providing gardening know-how and inspiration. Join Costa Georgiadis and the team as they unearth gardening ideas, meet avid gardeners and look at some of the most inspiring gardens from across the country.
Stream more: http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/gardening-australia
Facebook: facebook.com/gardeningaustralia
Instagram: instagram.com/gardeningaustralia
Web: http://www.abc.net.au/gardening
___________________________________________
This is an official Australian Broadcasting Corporation YouTube channel. Contributions may be removed if they violate ABC's Online Conditions of Use http://www.abc.net.au/conditions.htm (Section 3).
Think you need a big backyard to create a beautiful garden? Think again.
Meet Pia Lefevre, a horticulturalist and landscape designer who has transformed a tiny 25m² rental courtyard in Melbourne into a lush urban oasis filled with more than 150 plants.
Using recycled Styrofoam boxes, milk crates, and a creative "Lego Garden" approach, Pia proves that renting and limited space don't have to be barriers to gardening. Her colourful container garden is a living experiment, allowing her to test plants, adapt layouts with the seasons, and create a joyful sanctuary for both people and wildlife.
In this video, Pia shares:
• How she grows over 150 plants in a small courtyard
• Creative and sustainable ways to upcycle Styrofoam containers
• Tips for gardening in rental properties and small urban spaces
• How she maximises sunlight with vertical gardening techniques
• The inspiration behind her award-winning "Dopamine Garden" design
• Why gardening is worth it, even if you don't own your home
Whether you have a balcony, courtyard, or compact backyard, this story is proof that any space can become a thriving garden with a little imagination.
#Gardening #ContainerGardening #SmallSpaceGarden #UrbanGardening #RentalGarden #MelbourneGardens #SustainableLiving #GardenDesign #Horticulture #DIYGarden #ContainerPlants #gardeningaustralia
00:00 Small Space Gardening
00:00:21 150 Plants, 25m²
00:00:40 Meet Pia
00:00:51 Renting & Gardening
00:01:05 The Lego Garden
00:01:18 Styrofoam Planters
00:01:35 Sustainable Gardening
00:01:52 Colour & Design
00:02:17 Gardening in Shade
00:02:55 A Garden Laboratory
00:03:30 The Dopamine Garden
00:03:56 Gardening with Colour
00:04:26 Small Space Benefits
00:05:00 Why Renters Should Garden
📺Gardening Australia — Stream all seasons on ABC iview: ab.co/GardeningAustraliaiview
Subscribe 🔔 ab.co/GA-subscribe
Factsheet 📃 https://www.abc.net.au/gardening/how-to/containing-a-courtyard-renters-container-garden/107112336
___________________________________________
Inspiring, entertaining and full of practical advice - Gardening Australia is an ABC TV program providing gardening know-how and inspiration. Join Costa Georgiadis and the team as they unearth gardening ideas, meet avid gardeners and look at some of the most inspiring gardens from across the country.
Stream more: http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/gardening-australia
Facebook: facebook.com/gardeningaustralia
Instagram: instagram.com/gardeningaustralia
Web: http://www.abc.net.au/gardening
___________________________________________
This is an official Australian Broadcasting Corporation YouTube channel. Contributions may be removed if they violate ABC's Online Conditions of Use http://www.abc.net.au/conditions.htm (Section 3).
