Tips to Create a Beautiful Balcony Garden
It is good to know that with limited space we can still have a garden or the garden of our dreams, gone are the days when gardening was only limited to the outdoor environment. We can now utilize our indoor living space to bring that much-needed change and flavor as we connect with nature.
Becoming creative and thinking outside of the box can help us to embark upon a journey that is adventurous as we have fun creating our garden oasis in our private kingdom. One such garden method we will be discussing is small apartment balcony garden ideas, balcony gardens are becoming so popular as more people are looking for ways to grow, a flower garden, herb garden, fruit trees, or some other type of garden with limited space. How is this done well let’s take a closer look at small apartment balcony garden ideas?
Here are 10 Things to Consider when Balcony gardening
1. Following the Rules or regulations- I know that you’re excited to embark upon this new adventure and you should be because the introduction of plants whether in an outdoor or indoor living environment will bring such appeal as you transform your surrounding into a thing of beauty or work of art but in the midst of this excitement you want to ensure you are following the rules and regulations of the building you’re living in to make sure that the owner/owners allow a garden setting in this type of environment.
2. Start with a Plan- Every successful project or venture begins with a plan, a plan is a blueprint to envision the latter from the beginning. A plan will help you see what works and what doesn’t, it will also help in the decision-making of making adjustments along the way if you have to.
But don’t overthink this process remember you are in control, you are in the driver’s seat, have fun as you get creative. This was my experience many, many, years ago. I was tired of how my apartment looked and need a change so what did I do? did I go out and buy more furniture no, did I purchase a bigger television or some other appliances no, what I did was include some garden plants that transformed my indoor living space which looked pretty nice. It also give me a more inviting feeling when I stepped inside.
3. What does your Budget looks like?- Plants can be pretty costly, so knowing exactly what you want is part of the planning process. Most garden plants can become very expensive, based on their size. Knowing the plants you want and the number of plants you want is the deciding factor that will affect your budget.
However what you can do is to do a bit of homework, shop around and look for sales on plants, a family or friend may have a few extra they can give you.
4. What Container and Container Size will you be Using?- Will you be installing table-size plants that require small containers or will the design consist of larger (floor plants) plants? Or will there be a mixture of both floor and table plants, ensure the decorative containers you have chosen have drain holes for water drainage and saucers to collect the water once it has drained.
There are so many sizes and styles to choose from but don’t only go for beauty although that’s a key factor, chose containers that will compliment your plant. What I mean by that is if you’re planning on installing drought-tolerant plants then unglazed and ceramic containers will make the perfect fit but for plants that require soil that’s constantly moist then your best choice would be glazed ceramic, plastic, or metal containers. However ceramic seems to be the most popular container when growing indoor plants.
5. What Plants will you Install- Know your plants, know what you’re installing, although there are hundreds of plants to choose from plants can be divided into basically two categories. There are high-maintenance plants and low-maintenance or drought-tolerant plants, and knowing the difference will equip you with the knowledge to have success. If you’re not sure of which plants to purchase check with your plant nurseryman or garden center rep.
6. Know your plant’s watering needs?- Your balcony-grown container plants are depending on you to be kept well-watered, knowing your plant’s watering needs is so important. What you don’t want is to overwater or underwater because your plants will suffer so get to know your plant’s water requirements. Your garden nurseryman or garden center rep can help with this.
7. What is your Balcony’s Climate?- The weather is an important factor, if the location is constantly or mostly windy don’t install plants that can get wind damage easily. If it’s hot most of the time then consider installing heat-loving plants, if the winter months pose a challenge then use mulch to protect the roots of plants from freezing, if plants are easy to lift or if you need help get help, secure and overwinter plants in an area that gets bright indirect sunlight.
8. Fertilizing your Balcony Garden Plants- Plants that are grown in containers are limited to moisture and nutrients, therefore they are depending on us to provide them with what they need to thrive and grow healthy. The best time to fertilize indoor plants is during the spring months because this is the time of year when plants start to grow actively.
Plants that have a faster growth rate should be fertilized more often than plants that grow slowly, there are many brands of fertilizers for indoor plants. If you’re not sure of what to purchase then your plant nurseryman or garden center rep is your best source of information. Keep in mind however that before applying fertilizer read and follow the manufacturer’s directions for the best results.
9. Balcony Garden Pests Control- Becoming familiar with your choice of plants is also another key component for success, garden insect pests can find their way indoors. To control these pests requires the proper identification for control, the most common indoor garden pests are whiteflies, scales mealybugs, spiders mites, fungus gnats, and thrips. There are many insecticide brands that are sold to bring control however use insecticides that are people and pet-friendly such as insecticidal soap. If growing edible crops then only use insecticides that are organic and have been formulated to use on edible plants. Before using chemicals read and follow the manufacturer’s directions for the best results
10. Balcony Garden Plant Pruning- Congratulations you have successfully installed your indoor garden and are having much success, as your plants grow you want to make sure they are beautifully maintained. A part of the maintenance process is keeping your plant nicely pruned.
As your indoor plants begin to grow you want to ensure their growth is kept in control while seeking to help them keep their natural form. A hand pruner can help with this, if you’re not sure here is how to prune house plants.
The final word on small apartment balcony garden ideas
Creating a balcony garden where you get to transform your indoor living space is that simple, this is a great way to have the garden you always wanted. Why let limited space stop you from connecting with nature in this most awesome way as you connect with nature by giving nature a helping hand to beautify your surroundings? Join the many persons who are enjoying this type of beautiful garden oasis that says home sweet home.
About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.