It can be challenging to construct the garden of your dreams if you have a green thumb but can only use your balcony. Thankfully, you can still accomplish a lot in smaller areas! The options for your balcony garden are endless, ranging from a ripe food garden full of vegetable plants to a Japanese-inspired sanctuary! You must first understand how to make the most of your balcony before being inspired by our top balcony gardening suggestions. Continue reading to find out how to turn your balcony into a green sanctuary.
Using a compact space
The secret to successful balcony gardening is being able to maximise the space you have by learning how to work in a smaller area. To achieve this, you must be aware of the fundamentals of the situation you are in, such as the size of the area and the distribution of sun and shadow on your balcony.
The size of your balcony
You should measure the size of your balcony first. Take some simple measurements of your balcony’s length, breadth, and height using a tape measure. Measure any additional areas, such as window sills, walls, an awning or canopy, where you want to put plants. Knowing the exact dimensions of your balcony can help you determine how many plants, pots, and other planters, as well as other pieces of furniture, you can fit.
Create the layout
Once you have the measurements, you can plan out the arrangement of your balcony. Put any furniture—including chairs, coffee tables, and barbecues—in the configuration you like. You can now see how much room you have for plants and where the ideal locations are. Think about what would work well in your arrangement; you might discover that the hanging baskets you had in mind might prevent you from getting to your barbeque or that the giant potted fern would be better placed so it doesn’t block your view in the opposite corner.
Establish the circumstances
You know how many plants you can fit on your balcony, but what about the variety? You may choose plants that will survive by studying the conditions of your balcony, such as how much sun, shade, and rain it receives. Your balcony should face north or north-east so that it may receive the most sunshine. A west-facing balcony needs plants that can withstand the heat, such rosemary and carrots, but east and south-facing balconies need more shade-tolerant plants.
Make sure your plants are protected so they won’t be knocked over or in danger of going off the balcony if you live in a high rise because winds can be damaging to balconies. It’s also crucial to keep in mind that some balconies may have weight restrictions, so before planting anything particularly heavy, check with your body corporate.
Do you lack the time to prepare your balcony garden? Do not panic! You can take advantage of our extensive gardening services from the professionals at Pulse Lawn Mowing & Gardening. Call us at 1300 697 857 for a no-obligation quote or send us a message online right away.