When asking if I am in a city‚ the first image that comes to mind is that of a large building-laden environment lacking greenery․ And yet‚ even in these cities‚ balcony gardening can help even the tiniest of spaces be used to grow plants and provide a bit of green․ A simple look around one's balcony will reveal the wonders of plants even in a busy city․ Also‚ balconies can be used to provide a source of groceries or as a hobby that can be very physical and mentally stimulating․ In a way‚ balcony gardening may be considered a type of urban gardening in itself․ It can combine the creative with the utilitarian and provide a sanctuary in the city․
Balcony Gardening Benefits
In addition to improving scenery and the ambiance of a particular area‚ balcony gardening offers other benefits as well‚ such as the availability of fresh herbs/vegetables/fruits grown right outside your home that is free of pesticides and other chemicals․ It improves diet and nutrition of gardeners by making them more likely to eat food they have grown‚ relieving stress‚ and improving their mental wellbeing․ Nature has been shown to have a positive effect on mood and anxiety․ Balcony plants perform the additional function of improving the quality of the atmosphere by absorbing carbon-dioxide and releasing oxygen‚ thus creating a self-contained micro-ecosystem‚ as well as promoting the spirit of neighborliness and environmental protection in the midst of the city‚ and providing a source of pride when a balcony could otherwise be considered poorly maintained․
A well-planned balcony garden can turn a bleak area into a tranquil oasis to be enjoyed from an apartment or flat․ Such a garden generally starts with selecting the right plants․ Other decorations may include colorful multi-layered foliage‚ trailing vines‚ flowers and pots‚ decorative pots and some fairy lights․ A garden furniture can help create an aesthetic space on the balcony․ Vertical gardens make for an excellent feature wall․ Varying the heights of the planters creates a sense of rhythm within the garden․ Above all‚ the garden should be peaceful‚ a place to think or sit and dream․ The choice of colors‚ textures‚ and shapes‚ and their arrangement determines the mood of the garden and is an opportunity for the gardener to express his personality in the selection of plants․
Container Gardening
Container gardening is the main form of balcony gardening․ This has the advantage of being able to grow almost any plant in limited floor space‚ though care must be taken when choosing containers․ Aside from appearance‚ well-draining pots are also important․ Of the ceramic‚ terracotta‚ and plastic pots‚ many shapes and styles are available․ Choosing one based on style is a matter of preference‚ but it is necessary to understand the soil composition when looking at materials․ Plants will also benefit from a high-quality potting mix containing organic matter‚ as well as individual pots of an appropriate size for the plants in question․ Larger pots hold more water‚ and allow roots more room‚ but herbs and flowers do well in smaller pots and containers․ With a basic knowledge of plants and their growing habits‚ balcony gardening can be an easy and simple way to cultivate thriving plant life․
Choosing what to grow based on the season is another important rule of a successful balcony garden․ Different seasons will offer differing conditions of light and climate‚ and different plants will thrive in different conditions․ Knowing these will help your balcony garden thrive all year long․ You can plant hardy annuals and your first vegetables like lettuce and radishes in the spring․ Tomatoes‚ peppers and blooming flowers such as marigolds and petunias typically reach their peak in summer‚ while autumn is the time for frost-tolerant vegetables like kale and flowering pansies․ In winter‚ herb or hardy plant cultivation can be practiced indoors․ These measures lead to a more interesting year around‚ thriving plant life that allows its practitioners to bring a little more of nature into their lives by planning what to plant at what times․
Maximizing Space
In a small planting area balcony‚ space needs to be maximized to fit a lot of plants․ Vertical gardening such as wall planters‚ trellises or hanging baskets can allow more flowers and plants to be grown without taking up floor space․ Old ladders‚ crates‚ stools or other recycled items can create height and interest in a display area․ Grouped pots create a more uniform look to a display and take up a lesser proportion of the space they occupy‚ allowing for more efficient watering and maintenance․ Tiered shelving allows for larger pots and plants to benefit from being elevated․ With imagination and the clever use of containers‚ pots‚ shelving and other space saving ideas a small balcony can be made to look like a lush garden‚ without appearing cluttered․
Balcony gardening follows a way of living and promotes sustainable living and well being‚ which can improve the urban environment and make balconies and terraces a relaxing garden space and a living area․ Once you plant seeds and see them grow‚ you bond with the earth and are happier and grateful for where food comes from․ The more we learn about how to garden on our balconies‚ the more people gather in community to share knowledge‚ hints and produce‚ and the more friendships are formed on common ground․ Whatever our horticultural talents and abilities‚ the balcony has limitless possibilities for generating creative pleasure‚ and‚ even in the city center‚ we can all grow our little piece of paradise․
