Does the idea of fresh home-grown vegetables and herbs inspire you? Would you like to decorate your home with a garden but lack gardening space? Are you tired of your apartment in the city looking bland? Just because you live in an apartment or don’t have much yard space doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy your own patio or balcony garden. If space is tight, here are some apartment patio decorating ideas and balcony garden ideas.
Use wall space to plant a vertical garden
When we think of gardens, we often think of rows and rows of neatly planted vegetables eagerly sprouting each year. However, if space is tight, that might not be an option. Nevertheless, you can still enjoy a garden by using balcony wall areas. There are dozens of varieties of vegetables and herbs that can thrive in vertical gardens.
Peas, cucumbers, and pole beans all have climbing vines. As their name indicates, these sun-loving plants climb toward light on whatever support system is available – another plant, fence, or wall. You can grow climbing vines in containers or bury their roots in the ground.
Trailing vines are similar to climbing vines, but trailing vines typically grow along the ground. However, they can be adapted to grow on trellises and other vertical support systems. Watermelons and pumpkins are examples of crops with trailing vines. Since these crops are rather heavy, additional support is required. Nevertheless, there are definite advantages from keeping them off the floor, including rot prevention where the crop touches the ground.
Pay attention to the amount of lighting your balcony receives
Before you go and buy a bunch of seeds and bulbs, do your homework. Pay attention to how much sunlight your balcony receives. Is it basked in direct sunlight the majority of the day? Is it only partially illuminated? Strawberries, lavender, and oregano are examples of plants that require copious amounts of light. Ferns, peace lilies and English ivy thrive in the shade. Once you’ve figured that out, be sure to buy plants that are similar in their water requirements as well. It will be much easier to water everyone equally and on the same schedule.
Avoid potting soil
By default, gardens on a balcony or patio require plants be potted in containers. Container plants and seedlings grow best when they begin in environments with plenty of drainage. Potting soil is much too compact. Instead, look for a soil-less potting mix. Popular blends include perlite, peat, and pine bark. While these mediums do not provide nutrients to the plants, they don’t dry out quickly. They also resist compacting, which allows the plant’s roots to absorb water and take in moisture from their surroundings.
Decorate using wall fountains
I love fountains, don’t you? Wall water fountains add charm and character to any outdoor living space. Besides being visually appealing, wall water fountains can drown out noise from neighbors or busy roads. Depending on the fountain, sounds can range anywhere from a babbling brook to a cascading waterfall. Add a few flowers, and you’ve got yourself your own tiny Parisian garden. If used indoors, wall water fountains also act as natural air humidifiers and purifiers. Fancy and functional – double win!
Christmas [lights] in July.
We think of decorating with lights during Christmas, but you can use lights all year round. Just snag some chic patio lights, and get to decorating. Just because you are tight on space doesn’t mean you need to be tight on style.
Fake flowers need love, too.
Okay, so artificial flowers are…well, fake. But let’s face it – many of us don’t have the time, energy, or patience to expend on maintaining a garden. Perhaps you’re too busy with other things or your thumb is more black than it is green. Whatever the case, a balcony garden is still possible. Just stop by your local craft store or pick up a few pre-made floral arrangements. No one will be the wiser, and you’ll be able to avoid all of those pesky bees and insects near your home.
Even if space is tight, you can enjoy the health and aesthetic benefits of a garden. In fact, with a little research, you can have a thriving garden on your patio or balcony in no time (well, the amount of time it takes for them to grow)!
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