There may be weight restrictions and rules regarding what you can hang from balcony railings and walls. Before you start planting, decide what type of garden you want to have, as well as the type that'll work for your outdoor space. These balcony garden ideas will help you create a beautiful space and reap the benefits of outdoor life, even if you live in the city and don't have a traditional yard out large outdoor space. The weight from large ceramic containers and wet soil can add up quickly. Your email address will not be published. Having several hanging baskets all at different heights against a bare wall can create a great feature, like in the balcony garden above, and could be the main focus of the space. Country is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Include plants you like and don't take it too seriously. What vegetables can be grown on a balcony? They come in lengths as long as 100 feet and retract when not in use for easy storage. (See more vertical gardening ideas.). And, if you're not sure where to start and need some fresh garden ideas to inspire you, we've asked the experts to share their balcony garden knowledge with us just for you. Visit our corporate site. Microclimate. Think of your balcony garden as an extension of your indoor living space. Eliminate watering cans altogether by purchasing a lightweight, expandable garden hose that you can attach to a kitchen sink using an adapter. Consider the direction you want to grow your plants in. Strawberry: Ozark Beauty, Seascape. See more tips for choosing the right container. Herbs: Basil, sage, thyme, oregano, and so on Tips for Small Outdoor Spaces. If you live in an apartment building or condo, be sure to check whats permissible by the building owner before you begin. Plants will need to be watered in order to survive and thrive. You need to consider how much sunlight your balcony gets. 'The finished space should elongate the home, so interior design is as important as garden design when it comes to small gardens and balconies.'. Sign up for weekly gardening inspiration and design tips, Garden Design's Top 10 Garden Trends for 2022. How much space do you need for a balcony garden? Planting in balcony gardens can be more complicated than backyards as theres no soil to plant directly into, and often the space is much smaller too but this doesnt mean that youre unable to enjoy the beauty of plants and flowers. If you can, install an outside tap that will save you carrying water from inside the building, or find a way to collect rainwater if you want to incorporate sustainable small garden ideas into your scheme. Photo by: Ania K / Shutterstock, RELATED: Think about the best way to do this. Over time, theyll fill out the space well. Here are some tips to help you get started: On this page: Maximize Your Space | Know Your Restrictions | How to Water | What to Grow | Choose Your Containers | Balcony Garden Ideas. However, you can also use balcony gardens strategically to screen off sections of a view that you don't particularly want to see, which is often the case in cities. If youre willing to sacrifice some foot room, the floor of your balcony is a great spot for larger containers full of plants that need a bit of space to grow. What direction does your balcony face? 'In the end, balcony garden ideas are just about having a bit of fun. When you plan a small garden, it's important to factor in the size of the planters, and resist them temptation to overcrowd the space, so you can give plants enough room to grow. The symmetrical arrangement of the plantings helps define the space and create balance. Sprawling squash plants, for example, wouldnt be the best choice. If you have lots of plants to water, consider investing in a large, lightweight watering can that you can fill in the bathtub. Some factors to consider include container weight, durability, weather resistance, ease of watering, and cost. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Your email address will not be published. For more on urban gardening techniques for balconies, rooftops, and other small urban spaces, grab a copy of Field Guide to Urban Gardening. Balcony gardens are the perfect place to enjoy a morning coffee or an afternoon tea, so why not set up a cozy spot to perch. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and beans are all great plants to grow in containers on your balcony floor. Most balconies have drainage holes, or at the very least are sloped so water runs in a specific direction. We expect our balcony gardens to work a lot harder for us and become so much more than just a place to sit and have lunch. Both are enjoyable, but if I had to pick it would be containers, the main benefit being the instant gratification.'. Yes, you still must adhere to the strict confines of your space, but there are many tricks for making every square inch count. Surprisingly, not much at all if you take advantage of walls, railings, and overhead structures. Theyre great options if you know that the design will fit your railing. They dry out quickly, especially if youre using terra-cotta pots. Next year it will be even more about multitasking. Tip: If wind is a problem on your balcony, consider using balcony privacy screens as windbreaks to protect more fragile plants. That being said, there are some basic rules of thumb to follow to create a balcony garden thats beautiful, functional, and, best of allproductive. A mix of small trees, shrubs, foliage plants, and colorful annuals will add interest and diversity to your balcony garden. The style can range from fancy to frivolous, depending on your tastes, but the container should be practical and suit the purpose. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. More about the newsletter. It is easier than you think to plan small balcony garden ideas. If this isnt possible, think about the number of trips youll have to do, and dont get more plants than youll be willing to water. * Required | We will never sell or distribute your email to any other parties or organizations. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()). If your railings are a standard size, you can often pick up planters that have a notched bottom of exactly that size. Country is supported by its audience. Using containers and pots means that you can position your plants anywhere in the space and is a great way to personalise and add color to a balcony. This may mean you have to position plants in certain places, and it will also help in deciding which plants to choose. Everybody fails, even the best gardeners, so that's why you need to take things slowly and build up your confidence with time.. Similar to checking the shade on your balcony, walk out a few times during the day to see which way the wind is blowing as well as how strong the gusts are. From deciding what to grow (an urban vegetable garden? 'You can also use balcony garden ideas purposefully to grow herbs or something to eat, like by incorporating some small vegetable garden ideas into your space. Spread your pots around your balcony instead of clumping them in one area. Planted Well, Balcony Garden Frequently Asked Questions. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. By growing on your balcony, youre beautifying a space thats otherwise pretty drab. Put saucers or trays under your plants to collect any water overflow so you dont waste a drop. 'Clients will tell me about the sort of gardens they like, and we try and create a condensed version of that. Photo: Franz Peter Rudolf / Shutterstock, On a small balcony, take advantage of vertical space to maximize your growing room. Vertical space can be maximized, for example, with hanging planters that hook directly onto your railing. Eggplant: Fairy Tale, Bambino start your own balcony gardening adventure, Safety Tips for Landscaping Construction Projects, 7 Best Electric Lawn Mowers for a perfect Yard in 2022, Rattan Garden Furniture 101: Buyers Guide & Best Ideas, Push Mowers 101 & Definitive Buyers Guide for a Great Lawn. Attach pots, shelves, or trellises to the walls; and if your balcony has a ceiling, add a few hooks for hanging plants. Thinking in these three layers will help you make the absolute best use of the limited space you have. For the eco-conscious, you could use an old wellington boot as a container or find a brightly colored pot to add some happiness and color to your balcony garden ideas. (Image credit: Ali Allen/Jacquie Melville/Nassima Rothaker), (Image credit: Future / Annaick Guitteny), Black room ideas 10 ways to use this striking shade, How to harvest mint for a fresh and prolific supply, Everything you need to turn your dream home into a reality, Inspiring real homes, expert project advice and on-trend shopping, Issues delivered direct to your door or device. This excerpt from the book about growing a balcony garden was provided by Cool Springs Press/The Quarto Group. Anything that can hold soil and has good drainage has potential for a balcony container garden. Theres structure, but theres a wild harmony to it that fits with the overall design ethos. For all their value, there is no more confusing piece of gardening gear than balcony railing planters. You can even include one or two of the best trees for a small garden, planted in pots or containers. One step above choosing larger containers is choosing larger containers that are self-watering. Photo by: Tapui / Shutterstock, A dwarf olive tree is the perfect choice for a balcony garden because of its low water requirements and resistance to high winds and subfreezing temperatures. Plenty of pots may add charm and personality, but you may prefer to take inspiration from these courtyard garden ideas and create a more minimalist space with just one oversized planter, as shown above. Self-watering pots, such as. Gorgeous Geranium 101: How to Grow Stunning Geraniums, 41 Best Plant Pots and Planters for Indoors and Outdoors . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 'I approach designing balconies as I would do any other room in the house,' advises Isabelle Palmer (opens in new tab). If you want to make a small garden look bigger, Isabelle advises: 'Lighter color flowers really open up a space, so put your lightest flowers at the furthest point so that your eyes are drawn outwards.'. If this is the case, try and find more sheltered areas to position the plants. 'The container needs to be large enough to support the size plant(s) you will be growing in it,' says Jeanine Standard of Proven Winners (opens in new tab), one of the leading plant brands in the U.S. 'The more plants you are adding to the container, the larger it needs to be in order to hold a good amount of soil that will provide the water the plant needs.'. * Required FieldsWe will never sell or distribute your email to any other parties or organizations. to choosing imaginative containers (such as an old watering can or wood crate), the entire process can be an adventure. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space. The extra cost is well worth the time youll save watering your plants. Turn your balcony into a vertical garden. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 'Ferns are great, especially if you have a shadier area.. The only true requirement for a balcony garden is that you dont grow anything that will absolutely take over the space. Growing plants in a limited space like a balcony or terrace can be a challenge even for an experienced gardener, but its also a great opportunity to be creative and have fun. Leafy greens: Loose leaf lettuce, spinach, kale, and so on Photo by: Eurybia / Shutterstock, Dont be afraid to play with colors and plant types. The biggest downfall of growing in containers on a balcony is just that youre growing in containers. 'A vertical garden makes green space accessible to the masses and as attention continues to turn to where our food comes from, were not hugely surprised that people are now thinking about what more their living walls can offer them,' says Matt Lindsay, general manager at Growing Revolution (opens in new tab). But if youre a first-time gardener looking to get growing fast, buy seedlings from a local nursery. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Its easier to get your garden off to a good start if you buy seedlings from a local nursery and simply transplant them into your balcony garden. They are an entertaining space, a work place, a vegetable garden and a healing retreat.'. Every balcony is unique, so the urban gardening masterpiece you decide to create should be tailored to your situation. 'Quite often, balconies are incredibly tiny, so they're usually a place where you would sit and relax. The walls also function as windbreaks, protecting the delicate foliage. This way you prevent massive amounts of runoff from being wasted and get to water your garden with fresh rainwater, which is always preferable to using city water. I pick up on the style of the room that leads to the balcony. Adapt the size and amount of pots to the space and your taste. How you arrange your balcony garden will depend entirely on the size of available space and, what you hope to achieve from this extra room. However, on windy balconies, they can be blown over easily unless theyre secured in place. If youre looking to transform your balcony into a lush gardenor even if you have a tiny patio space, Field Guide to Urban Gardening by Kevin Espiritu of Epic Gardening is a really helpful guide to figure out what you need with your space constraints and unique growing conditions. Learn the basics of planning and designing a small-scale balcony or rooftop garden, plus get tips for selecting the best plants and containers. FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Plants, Design Ideas, Gardening Solutions & More! Small Garden Design Lettuce: Green Oak Leaf, Black Seeded Simpson Cover the railings of your balcony with chicken wire to support climbing plants, or purchase plant hangers that can be attached to the top of a railing. a tropical paradise?) Given the amount of wind that balconies are subject to, the last thing you want to do is shoddily attach a railing planter only to see it tumbling down to the ground below. These containers wick water from a chamber at the bottom of the pot to give your plants roots a consistent supply. Your railings are the crme de la crme location in your balcony garden. Our favorite balcony garden ideas, curated tips and expert advice will inspire you to make the most of even the smallest of balcony gardens. You can choose from pots, hanging baskets and window boxes. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. You can find large self-watering containers at most nurseries or big-box stores, or you can build your own using the plans in Kevins book. Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Oftentimes youll set up a balcony garden only to find that you placed your plants in an area that gets shaded by an obstruction for 80 percent of the day. Specialising in small-space gardening and the ever-popular trend of container planting, Isabelle Palmer of The Balcony Gardener (opens in new tab) is deftly positioned to provide expert balcony garden ideas that will transform bijou outdoor areas into the fifth room. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. All Rights Reserved. By clicking accept you give us permission to set cookies. If your balcony is quite high up, or you are planning a roof garden, your plants may have to also survive the harsh wind. Youd be surprised at how heavy a container can get once its full of soil, water, and a loaded tomato plant, especially if you have a bunch of them. There's a good chance your balcony has limited square footage, so take advantage of all the surface area you have available. All rights reserved. 'At home now I have a balcony and a larger garden, so I feel connected to containers or landscaping. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. If the balcony is attached to your home, know how much weight it can safely support. ', 'The therapeutic element means that people are happy to spend a bit more time growing and maintaining. Starting seeds is certainly a fun option to try if you want to flex your gardening muscles. Filed Under: Gardening Techniques Tagged With: Container gardening, Garden maintenance, Your email address will not be published. With a just little know-how, you will be well on your way to creating a space that meets your every desire. The style is undulating and looks like a beautiful picture. Use your balcony to plan a small garden that complements the rest of your home decor. South-facing balconies are the best, but southeast- or southwest-facing will do. Youll just need to adjust the types you grow to be shade-loving varieties. Considering the weather conditions, such as the amount of sunlight the balcony gets how windy it can be, and of course, how much space you have, will help when deciding which flowers to purchase or grow. The planter then rests on its own weight, pressing into the side of the railing. Garlic: Artichoke, Silverskin 'You need to begin by thinking about what you want to use the space for,' explains Isabelle. Measure the width of your railing and comparing it to the size of the hook or attachment on the planter box. Published 28 July 22, Discover how to harvest mint for plentiful leaves and a healthy plant. A multi-tiered plant stand allows for plenty of pots without crowding the floor. Containers are a great way to let your personality shine. Wind issues are the biggest problem with balcony gardens, far more so than for raised beds or containers on the ground. When you're container gardening, it's also wise to separate annuals and perennials, that way come winter, you can move your perennial planters indoors. If you get a lot of wind, make sure you use heavier-duty pots, such as terra-cotta. Peppers: Camelot And if youve got a north-facing window, you can still grow plants. Theyre exposed to the most sun and dont take up extra space as they hang off the balcony. If you live in an area that gets a lot of rain, you can earn extra conservation points by installing a balcony rain barrel. 'Choose the colors that you love, but don't go too vivid restrict your palette to around three different colors that work well with each other,' advises Isabelle. Featured in: Garden Design's Top 10 Garden Trends for 2022 ("Maximizing Balconies & Porches"), Most herbs will flourish on a sunny balcony or terrace and require very little space to grow. Plants which are low-lying and therefore less likely to break in the wind, such as begonias, chrysanthemum, pansies and succulents, should fare better than taller plants such as delphiniums. These types are the same as the sit on tops, but they dont have a notched bottom. Small trees, such as dwarf citrus trees or, Container-friendly annuals and perennials for. Photo by: Leigh Trail / Shutterstock, Slatted walls covered in climbing plants and other greenery turn an open balcony into a private retreat. 'When I first moved to London I had a flat with two very small balconies it was a contrast to the large garden I was used to growing up, and I wanted to recreate a piece of that in my new home. I think of the garden as the fifth room and make the design fit the aesthetic. If you plan to use the tree as a focal point, uplight it at night to reflect the beauty of the silvery foliage. This space mixes nature with surrounding structures,in a way that is very original. If you live in a climate with cold winters, consider growing some plants that are hardy enough to leave outdoors year-round or that can be overwintered indoors so you dont have to start from scratch again each spring. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. If you choose plant colors and textures that echo the interior design, even the smallest balcony will look more expansive and welcoming. A second option with more flexibility is to stake your plants well and use windscreens to help break some of the nastier gusts. If a convenient water source is far from reach, make life easier by growing plants with low water requirements, such as cacti and succulents. Your first option is to plant wind-tolerant plants, such as rosemary.
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