Do you dream of a backyard full of lush foliage? You don’t have to give up on your dream just because you currently live in an apartment. In fact, you can grow a successful garden right on your balcony. However, because balconies create a different microclimate than the conditions on the ground, you’ll have to give a bit of extra care to your plants. Get started with these simple steps:
Take measurements of the areas you wish to plant so you can buy the right gardening containers. You can also hang a trellis on the wall and/or hang planters over the windowsill or balcony railing. (Hint: Vines and herbs are great for balconies, so these vertical spaces are extremely important.)
Study the conditions on your balcony so you know which types of plants have the best chances for survival. If your balcony sees a lot of sun each day, you can buy a variety of sun-loving plants; but if your balcony is cast in shade for most the day, you’d be better off buying woodland plants. Also consider temperature and wind patterns so you can buy plants that are known to thrive under those conditions. (Hint: Reevaluate each season because conditions change from spring/summer to fall/winter.
Once you know what you’re working with, it’s time to buy some plants and/or seeds. Do some research and talk to the employees at your local gardening store to learn more about which plants you should start with. (Hint: Start small with a few plants to get a feel for the hobby. If you truly enjoy gardening, you can always buy more plants as you go.)
Buy a quality organic potting soil and any necessary fertilizers. You may even wish to start your own compost pile to enrich your plants’ soil.
Have you seen success with your balcony garden? We’d love to hear your tips!
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