Want to grow your green thumb but don’t have a lot of space? Is your balcony in dire need of some greenery? If you answered yes to either of these questions, balcony gardening might be exactly what you’re looking for.
It might be challenging to know what to grow and how to ensure it thrives when you have limited space and resources, but it’s definitely not impossible. There are several ingenious ways you can turn your balcony into a verdant oasis, no matter what size it is. With the use of the magic wand of DIY-in in gardening, you can easily turn your vision into reality.
How Can You Arrange Your Balcony Garden?
Making smart moves and assessing your balcony situation is the first step to starting a fruitful garden. Even if your balcony doesn’t have a lot of square footage, there are still ways to make the most out of the space.
Find the Right Planters
First and foremost, you need to make sure you find an appropriate balcony planter for the specific needs of your plants. Some greenery, like vegetables or herbs, require more depth for their roots, while others might need to sprawl out. Others, like succulents, don’t need a lot of space at all.
Consider what you want to grow and find a planter that will allow your plants to reach their full potential. If you’re starting small, try using hanging baskets or wall-mounted planters to make the most of your space. These are also great options if you’re worried about your plants getting too much sun or wind.
source: jayscotts.com
The size of your balcony planter can have a big impact on how well your plants grow, so make sure to do your research before making a purchase. Knowing the specifics of what you want to grow will help you make the best decision for your terrace garden.
The shape isn’t exactly a deal-breaker when it comes to planters, but it can affect the aesthetic of your balcony garden. If you want something sleek and modern, go for a rectangular planter which can easily be tucked into a corner. For a more whimsical look, try an urn or a barrel planter.
These days, you can even find self-watering planters that will help you keep your plants healthy and hydrated, even if you’re away from home for a few days. Even if you’re at home but have too much on your plate to remember to water your plants every day, these can be a lifesaver.
Drainage is also an important consideration when it comes to planters. Make sure the one you choose has drainage holes so your plants don’t get waterlogged. You can always drill additional holes if necessary.
Focus on Functionality
When you’re working with a limited amount of space, it’s important to make sure that every element in your garden serves a purpose. That doesn’t mean that everything needs to be utilitarian, but try to put an emphasis on items that will help you make the most out of your balcony.
For example, vertical planters are a great way to add greenery to your space without using up a lot of valuable floor space. Their upwards orientation also means that they’re perfect for plants that need a lot of sunlight.
You can also use trellises or lattices to support climbing plants like ivy or roses. Not only will they look beautiful, but they can also help you create a bit of privacy or wind protection.
Think About the Sun
source: goodhousekeeping.com
When you’re picking out plants for your balcony garden, it’s important to think about how much sun exposure they’ll be getting. If your balcony gets a lot of direct sunlight, opt for plants that can tolerate those conditions. Cacti, succulents, and herbs are all great options.
Otherwise, focus on plants that need partial or filtered sunlight. Ferns, impatiens, and begonias are all good choices. Position them so that they’re getting the right amount of light, and don’t be afraid to move them around if they’re not getting enough or too much sun.
You can also use sun-blocking materials like shade cloths or umbrellas to create a more comfortable environment for your greenery. This is especially important in the summer when the sun is at its strongest.
Enjoy the View
One of the best things about having a balcony garden is that you get to enjoy the fruits of your labour in a beautiful setting. Whether you’re relaxing on your own or entertaining guests, your balcony should be a place where you can kick back and enjoy the outdoors.
Make sure to take advantage of your garden’s location by choosing plants that will complement your view. If you’re lucky enough to have a stunning vista, focus on plants that are low-maintenance and won’t block the view. Ornamental grasses, potted trees, and vines are all good options.
Those with less fortunate views can create their own oasis by planting tall bushes or trellises covered in climbing plants. This will not only provide you with some privacy but can also help block out unsightly buildings or busy streets.
A garden shed can be a great way to add extra storage space to your home. If you are a DIY gardener, you can use the shed to store your gardening tool and protect them from the weather. A shed can also be the perfect place to store your outdoor furniture throughout the winter. Things you need but don’t want to keep in the house, like paint, tools, camping equipment, etc, can also find a place in the shed. When buying a gardening shed you need to make sure it is:
by Sam Birks | Jul 8, 2020 | Gardening Home & Decor
All garden sheds are useful, since they allow you to conveniently store away your gardening tools, your bike or any other items you don’t want lying around your yard or your house, but not all of them are made equal. Material plays a vital role when it comes to how much and for low long you’ll be able to rely on your shed.
You know what they say about not trying to fix something that isn’t broken? Well, the tomahawk axe is one of the items that fall into that category. From Native Americans using them as general-purpose tools and weapons to Vietnam veterans using them for warfare, the tomahawk axe has kept its design and purpose for over 300 years. Nowadays, commonly used by outdoor enthusiasts, the tomahawk axe still finds a wide range of applications when camping, hunting and doing everything in between. (more…)
Having a lush outdoor area has always been in my dreams when envisioning my ideal home which is why I had to get a home with a yard. My outdoor area is a real treat when wanting to have some rest and relaxation of the hectic daily schedule, it feels like traveling somewhere away for a while; traveling to a stress-free zone. Nothing like greenery to lift our mood, and help with overall well-being.
Taking this into account, the lawn has always been an important part of my yard, which is why the basic tool I resort to is a lawn mower. Why envy the green grass on the other side, when you too can have yours green, right? Taking care of my lawn, trimming it to perfection over the years has taught me it’s not just about buying the most expensive power tool of the sort there is to get the job well done.
Since there is a wide range of cheap lawn mower models, both petrol, and electric (corded, or battery), even hybrid ones of a mower and a mulcher, you can expect to get the lawn chore done in no time, saving efforts and time. Getting to know more about the lawn, I don’t wait up long to get on with mowing. The reason for this isn’t just in the aesthetics (let’s face it, messy lawn looks somewhat abandoned), but the health of the lawn itself.
It’s necessary to do regular cutting so as to stimulate growth which would in turn result in eye-catching lush green grass, and my cheap lawn mower proved to be just the durable helping hand I need to get the sought-after outcome. One golden rule tyou have to abide by when it comes to taking care of the lawn properly is not to cut when you have the time, but when it’s the grass’s time! Likewise, it’s important that you pay attention to the season, and the height that you can cut – ideally when it’s at 3 2/3 inches.
Cooler months require less cutting, with the grass being up to 2 inches and a half, whereas warm and hot months you cat cut at a greater height so you’d have to do wheel adjustment based on the season. Just remember to steer away from cutting it too short as that never works out for the better – been there, done that. The frequency of mowing also depends on the weather conditions, so when you’ve had some days of rain, you can expect the grass to show signs of more growth.
It may seem a bit demanding, but it’s all worth it, and you don’t get to waste as much time or energy when you can count on a quality lawn mower.
You know how the saying goes “out with the old, in with the new” and we refer to it whenever we want to make certain changes in our lifestyles but then end up getting back to the old ways of life, turning to the incorrigible habits. Well, there’s the perfect combination of both old and new that could be the groundbreaking change you’ve been hoping for: the chance to grown your own food in the comfort of your home – it’s one you’d grow to love and not give up on.
It sure sounds too good to be true because usually we picture the lovely blooming garden outdoors when it comes to taking up gardening, but nowadays since there’s a shift in preferences considering most of us prefer the perks and opportunities of living in cities and this logically results in packed up cityscapes and barely any space for greenery, gardening got susceptible to evolution too. With the help of modern planters and pots, some of which are based on the self-watering ingenious design, there’s no excuse not to become a gardener anymore and try out your green thumb skills.
You’ve seen self-taught cooks making it big worldwide, in the likes of Jamie Oliver and Bill Granger, and you’ve probably seen the importance they place on vegetables. Have you also noticed the trend of engaging in gardening at home? Gardening can be considerably cost-effective as opposed to buying groceries, particularly over an extended period, as you get to invest in seeds that don’t cost much (bonus quality and taste points if you choose non-hybrid heirloom seeds) and you’d always have fresh produce on your plate, no matter whether it’s vegetables, fruits or herbs.
Some of the choices of modern planters and pots you’d come across are specifically designed to be of help to the urban gardener, and fit for every space of the home, or better yet every corner considering there are also mini versions that still have the self-watering concept. The great thing about such planters is they rid you of the watering chores and you won’t have to worry about over watering or not watering enough since roots get the amount of water they need through the wicking system. Apart from being functional, they’re also stylish and can be the perfect decorating elements when you want to spice up the interior as they can also serve as room dividers when connected.
Along with cost-effectiveness, making urban gardening part of your lifestyle is particularly beneficial when it comes to your overall well-being and having the peace of mind never having to worry again about what all ends up on your plate, and whether or not it’s full of toxins. Planet Earth gets to benefit from this as well since the home gardening without the use of pesticides and herbicides results in reduction of the environmental impact as you don’t add to the water and air pollution. So, if you want to go in the footsteps of ancestors with growing your own food yet reap the benefits of modern inventions, don’t wait up to become an urban gardener.
You’ve seen self-taught cooks making it big worldwide, in the likes of Jamie Oliver and