5 tips for creating an amazing balcony garden
If you’re a green thumb living in an apartment, terrace or anywhere that does not have much space for your dream garden, don’t despair – with a little creativity and inspiration, you can turn your little space into a garden paradise. Here are some tips to get you started.
1. Start small
Don’t overwhelm yourself with grand plans – start small and build your garden in manageable stages. Make sure you check the rules if you live in an apartment as balconies have weight restrictions.
2. Go vertical
The latest horticultural trend – vertical gardens - are perfect for those with limited space. Learn more with our guide to vertical gardens.
3. Sun or shade?
Balcony gardens generally only get light from one direction so work out your aspect and plant accordingly. Many people also overestimate just how much direct sun their balcony gets so make sure you accurately assess this as this will determine how well your plants thrive. For those with a sunny balcony, go for sun-tolerant plants and for those with a shady balcony, go for these shade-loving plants.
4. Container plants
There are many plants that thrive in containers. Herbs are the easiest edibles to grow in containers but veggies such as garlic, tomatoes and carrots all grow well in pots. Even fruits like blueberries are easy to grow in containers.
5. Think outside the box
You don’t have to be constrained to fitting as many pots as you can into your small space. Hanging pots or baskets mounted to the wall are a beautiful and practical way to add some more greenery into your small garden. PlantsPlus offer a range of hanging pots and wall planters that are impact-resistant, shatterproof, UV-stabilised and frost-resistant. A planter with layers is also an ideal way of maximising small spaces. Check out our DIY guide to making a planter box from an old chest of drawers.