The Balcony Gardener: Creative ideas for small spaces

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The plants that grow well in balcony gardens will depend which direction the space is facing and how much sunlight it receives during the day.

Small space gardening has been championed at this year's Chelsea Flower Show with a brand new category – Balcony Gardens. How much space do you need for a balcony garden? Surprisingly, not much at all if you take advantage of walls, railings, and overhead structures. Isabelle Palmer, author of Modern Container Gardening: How to Create a Stylish Small-Space Garden Anywhere feels its important to consider how you’ll use your balcony.Patience, and to take every opportunity by both hands. I think it’s made me a lot more assertive in terms of going out and getting things in life – it’s made me a lot more confident. Isabelle also feels it’s key to recognise the features of the indoor space that the balcony leads off from, and how to link the two areas. Gardening has always been an intrinsic part of my upbringing. My family are very keen on it, and it was something that we did on the weekend as a pastime together. I’ve always found it calming and a homely activity, whether it be watering, planting seeds, or pruning. When I moved away, I really wanted to carry that on, so I set out how I could make my tiny space into a garden. This in turn set me on this path and consequent journey.

Growing aromatic herbs on your balcony can be used for culinary purposes. It’ll also create beautiful green and fragrant aura around your balcony. 63. Japanese Style Balcony Garden It’s been 12 years so I have experienced many exciting and fulfilling projects along the way! I was clearing out my office the other day and I found all of these forgotten references that I had completely forgotten about. Some companies, such as Green Tech Ltd, offer a range of light-weight soils and composts suitable for roof gardening Providing some great inspiration for city dwellers, a prominent theme of this new category is how to turn a balcony into a calming space to escape and relax. It's the perfect time to highlight this small outdoor space, as balconies have been a lifeline for thousands over the course of the pandemic.

13. Italian Flair

Oh, gosh, probably my weekly visit to the tip or the recycle centre. I’m in charge of getting rid of all the landscape waste! I actually quite like it as I’m a neat freak, so I like to have everything tidied away! Look no further than this simplistic yet alluring wooden plant stands adorned with white planters if you want the Nicest Balcony Garden Ideas. Shade: Many urban balconies receive quite a bit of shade if surrounded by tall buildings or covered by an overhang. Often you can work around this problem by putting sun-loving plants near the perimeter of the balcony, where the sun is more prevalent. Isabelle has also collaborated with well known brands, such as Anthropologie and US furniture retailer West Elm, to create special events and products for a greener city life. She was also been shortlisted for a Red Magazine Hot Woman of the Year Business Start-Up Award in 2011. Have a really strong belief, be confident about your products and be assured you’re going to make it. Get a good accountant as well.

Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director, Dobbies Garden Centres recommends Hardy ferns for shadier gardens. Saying, 'Perfect for shady gardens, lush leafy ferns paired with Camellias will create an oriental garden feel for your very own space of calm and zen. Choose Painted Ferns for a more colourful variety, these have a grey tinge that looks painted with flashes of silver and purple.' They thrive in moist soil so make sure you are watering regularly, and ensure your pots have suitable drainage. How do I arrange my balcony garden? Heavy containers should be placed near load-bearing walls or over a load-bearing beam or joist as these can take more weight than unsupported areas If there's a possibility of introducing planters vertically or hanging them on railings, do that rather than eating into the space of the balcony,” Ula said.

In summer, plants often need watering twice a day (if not more), and leaf scorching may occur even if plants are well-watered