A common misconception is that gardens can only be in rural areas or suburbs, where courtyards are large, and the location is not an issue. Sure, you will have room for peppers, beans, cabbage, and all kinds of tomatoes, but living a garden life in homes in apartments or with balconies is not forbidden.
While there is generally less space to work than a patio garden, balcony gardens can contain more plants than you think. To create the balcony garden of your dreams, your options include (but are not limited to) vertical planters, Planters and pots, up-cycled container gardens, railing planters, and even trellises.
Balcony Gardens are a much-needed Touch of Nature Amidst the Modern Concrete Jungle
The balcony garden is very pleasing to the eye and, at the same time, offers some surprising benefits for apartment dwellers.
Connect with Nature
The balcony garden is for the people who love the natural atmosphere in the house. There are many options for creating the perfect balcony garden or relaxing with nature, from vertical gardens and potted plants to climbing and hanging plants.
Healthy Living
The balcony garden acts as a filter for stagnant and polluted air entering the apartment and promotes fresh airflow to facilitate a healthy life.
Fresh Produce
Creating a balcony garden will give you access to fresh produce, even if it is in small quantities. It can be the source of herbs and vegetables like oregano, paprika, cilantro, etc.
Ambiance
The green touch of your apartment makes the interior very attractive and also creates a fresh feel. Needless to say, flowering plants and greens add magical charm.
How to Start?
To save money on its construction, start from scratch instead of buying fully grown plants in your garden and choose plants that work best for your climate, not to deprive them of the elements. But with less square footage, your costs will be lower to get started.
Plants, flowers, and succulents offer many options. But if you want to eat your growth, try beans, snap peas, and tomatoes. It is a plant that does not spread too much, even in the iconic space. You can also grow small lemon trees, raspberries, and herbs on the balcony. The list goes on and on.
Consider Your Containers
Planters and Pots
If weight is not an issue, large wooden or terraced pots are lovely and provide ample space for all types of growing. However, keep in mind that terra cotta generally dries quickly. Resin and plastic utensils offer a lightweight option in most sizes, shapes, and automatic watering options.
Using large pots and planters, gardeners have the opportunity to grow individual small shrubs, perennial plants, or a variety of traditional garden vegetables. Small pots are great for planting herbs, perennials, and annual plants and can be used in combination with the vertical gardening.
Vertical Planters
The vertical garden is a space-saving concept for home gardeners because it features vertical walls on the balcony. There are few creative ways to use this method. Glue to the wall using a clay-filled pallet, attach tools to the trellis, hang a side groove from the chain, or use a ladder on a planter staircase.
Railing Planters
Railing baskets, hanging baskets, or window boxes are the most comfortable choice for small balconies. These containers, made of wood, steel, or plastic, hang on balcony railings or aisles. Since these baskets are usually flat and more at risk of drying out, they are suitable for drought-tolerant or small plants.
Up-cycled Containers
As a gardener, you are an artist and have a creative license to explore different containers. Add your personality to your balcony landscape, turn your household items into a planter box, and add enough holes for drainage. Recycling colorful rubber boots, cups, jugs, baskets, old yogurt containers, or other containers is a way to reduce waste and save money.
