Many individuals suffer from the misconception that it is only possible for gardens to exist in the countryside where there is an adequate amount of space available for gardening. However, it is also a fact that apartments and houses featuring balconies can enjoy garden life at present. Despite the fact that you will not be having that amount of space that you will get with patio gardening, balcony gardens have the ability to hold more plants than you might have thought. In the following paragraphs, we have articulated some useful tips for creating the best balcony gardens right now.
1. Get the proper illumination
Before purchasing anything, make sure to find out how much sun your balcony is receiving every day. Also, make sure to focus on indirect lighting as well. This implies that large portions of the sky are not blocked by walls or trees out there. Even though the balcony might be north-facing, you will be guaranteed of having some healthy plants in case there is adequate indirect lighting. Make it a point to plant grasses, strawberries, lavender, lettuce, basil, mint, morning glory vines, and sage in case the balcony is receiving full sun. On the other hand, when there is lots of shade, it will be a good idea to plant English ivy, Coleus, ferns, peace lilies, Fuschia, plus begonias.
2. Watering the plants
In case you are gardening on the rooftop, you’ll find it quite difficult to carry jugs of water for watering the plants. In such cases, it will be a good idea to take into consideration self-watering pots or drip irrigation. Investing in a watering can that can be filled easily from the bathtub can also be sensible in this situation. However, here you need to consider whether surplus water from the plants is raining down on your neighbors. If it is so, you should place some trays or saucers underneath the plants for collecting the overflow.
3. Be aware of extreme conditions
In case you are staying in a high apartment, you are likely to receive more wind than usual. It is possible for hot drying winds to parch your plants very quickly which can be quite detrimental for them in the long run. In that case, get double-duty from a wire trellis that will be capable of blocking the prevailing winds while offering support for climbing vines as well. It will likewise help you to maintain your privacy while gardening. Do not forget to water your plants regularly since the wind is drying out there. For this, you can consider using self-watering pots to get the job done.
4. Garden vertically
Vertical gardening is going to be a fantastic option for making the best use of your small balcony. It will be a sensible idea to make use of railing planters, stack planters, hanging baskets, and vertical wall planters for creating an awesome balcony garden. Plants such as ferns, Bromeliads, air plants, hostas, begonias, succulents, and vines will be ideal for fantastic vertical gardening.
Another great idea will be to make use of a wall pocket. It will be possible for you to include different types of plant sizes from fillers, thrillers, and spillers without any significant commitment. It will also be possible to change the position of the wall pocket if you like.
5. Go for a succulent bowl
In case your balcony has adequate space for accommodating a small table, then creating a vibrantly colored succulent bowl will be a fantastic idea. Being quite low-maintenance, it will enable you to include different plants within a small area and you need not water them frequently as well.
While creating the succulent bowl, make sure to fill it with potting mix intended for succulents. Following this, your subsequent task will be to select the centerpiece which is typically a bigger, colorful plant. After positioning it perfectly, use a blend of succulents complementing one another for color and texture while planting the edges of the succulent bowl. Make it a point to plant these close together so that it does not look crowded but bountiful in the long run. Cover any gap with the help of aquarium stone or gravel.
6. Is your balcony quite hot?
Heat can be an issue in case the sun is not reflecting from the windows. It will be a sensible idea to go for tropical plants in such cases. For example, plants such as bananas, alocasia, or canna will be able to bring a jungle feel to the area. Moreover, succulents are going to survive as well. Make sure to consider your balcony as a small outdoor room. In case there is adequate space, adding chairs and a table will be a good idea too. In case you are getting distracted by external noise, make it a point to include some wind chimes or a burbling fountain for adding some soothing sound to minimize the background noise.
7. Hide the wall or railing
It might be the fact that you enjoy spending your time sitting on the balcony although the lack of privacy might be bothering you. In that case, it would be justified to hide your railing or wall with the help of some plants. This will allow you to spend some good time on the balcony in the middle of greenery while preventing your neighbors from looking in as well.
This can be done effectively with the help of climbers such as honeysuckle, ivy, and jasmine, as well as edible plants such as beans or gourds, plus exotic vines such as passion flower.
Plants will be able to alter the way in which your balcony appears and feels to a great extent. At present, innumerable apartment owners are enjoying the relaxation and pleasures of creating a balcony garden in their apartments. Apart from adding some floral color, the balcony garden can also become a place for relaxation and entertainment for you as well as for your guests. Balcony gardens likewise provide the opportunity of producing food with flowering fruit trees as well as container-grown vegetables and herbs.
