Now is as good a time as any to get creative in your home and, while spending time in the backyard is all the rage right now, a fully fledged garden might not be an option for those in smaller spaces.
Luckily, there is no good reason why your balcony can’t be turned into a green oasis. A balcony garden can be as complicated or simple as you want, and there are beautiful plants for almost every condition possible.
But before you head for the soil and the gloves, take a look at how to make sure you’re getting the most out of your balcony garden.
Get your light right
Just like your indoor plants, it’s important your balcony plants are receiving the right amount of light. Before you purchase your plants, spend some time assessing which areas receive a lot of light, and which areas don’t.
Alex Kalahmadis from Alex K Gardens advises paying attention to indirect light as well.
“That is, no trees or walls blocking large portions of the sky. Even a north-facing balcony can be a happy home for many different plants if there is enough indirect light,” he says.
For spaces in full sun: Grasses, succulents, morning glory vines, strawberries, lettuce, lavender, oregano, sage, mint and basil.
For space with lots of shade: coleus, English ivy, ferns, fuchsia, peace lilies and begonias.
Assess your space
Even if your space is microscopic, you can still garden. Spaces like windowsills can easily become productive green spaces.
“It helps to think of your space three-dimensionally,” says Kalahmadis. “Are there vertical spaces you can plant or hang planters on? Even if there aren’t, you can do amazing things to create some vertical space like piling up pots and creating trellises.”
Check your planters
Make sure the planters and pots you plan to use are compatible with the growth habits of your plants, and make sure they have adequate drainage as well.
“To start with, it might be best to keep the plants in pots where you can to make sure that they are in the best spot,” says Kalahmadis. “Always make sure that you check the tags of the plant or do your research to find out what sort of pot will help your plants thrive.”
Pots used on the balcony should not only be decorative, but practical too. A pot must have enough holes in the bottom to allow sufficient drainage of water.
Go vertical
When working with a small space such as a balcony, think vertical and unlock more space.
“You’ll be surprised how much potential vertical gardening has,” says Kalahmadis. “Buy a pot holder that will hold your pots vertically, or you can easily make one for yourself using pallets if you have the time.”
Selecting plants that grow tall or crawl the walls is another way to use your space as affectively as possible. Grow more vines and climbers, or use hanging baskets.
Winter-proof your garden
If you plan to leave your pots out through the winter, make sure they are frost-proof to avoid cracking. On exposed balconies, think about how the plants you select will react to rain and wind.
“I suggest placing plants in the corner of a balcony, if they are in a pot, on particularly harsh weather days,” says Kalahmadis. “If you live in some of the cooler states, make sure your plants are getting the love they need during the cold months ahead.”
Top tips for getting started:
- Always remember that the plants you’re growing are the main attraction of the balcony garden and pots should complement them.
- Plants grown in containers require more care than those growing on the ground. You should fertilise and water them regularly.
- If you’re growing vegetables, especially greens, use long and wide window boxes like planters. You can also use crates.
- If you want to maintain the privacy or if you have an unattractive view from your balcony, grow tall plants like bamboo and palm or grow any climbing plant in your balcony. They will protect you and your plants from sun and wind, and also block the view for others.
- If you lead a busy life, or your balcony is sunny and windy, opt for self-watering planters.
article by domain.com.au