I've always wanted a big garden for as long as I can remember :) But I've literally just got my first flat with my boyfriend. Does anyone have any creative ideas for the balcony? It's really not big at all, I have a low budget and limited space. Hmm?
I've never done it, but it is creative.........
Growing Tomatoes Upside Down
gardening. Most smaller vegetables can be grown in containers, and often more than one plant can be grown in one of the larger sizes. And as cat daddy suggested, some plants can be grown "upside down" if you have places to hang them.
Can you get big (2 cu ft/55 liters) polythene bags of potting soil in the UK? If so, you've got the start of a "pillow garden" that can be really cute and cheap. For the rest of it, you'll need some waterproof tape (maybe) and a funnel or a plastic water bottle with the bottom cut out so it can act like a funnel, a knife and some plants.
One bag will grow a standard tomato, or multiple smaller plants.
Start by laying the bag down on the ground, and bringing the sides or ends of the bag in towards the center, so the soil inside becomes a thicker layer. How thick? You choose. Tape the bag edges you've turned in to the bag so it'll hold its new shape. Cut a couple of Xs in the bottom of the bag.. maybe an inch long or so and turn the bag over and position it where you want your new planter.
Cut one or more Xs on the top and/or sides of the bag, and stick a seedling through each X. Cut a couple more x's very low on the sides... drainage holes. One more X in the top, fairly centrally located, for the funnel or the plastic water bottle neck shoved in that X. Water and watch your plants grow.
The one disadvantage of this is you will have to fertilize with a water- soluble fertilizer. Generally, by frost, the bag is a solid mass of soil held together by roots. You can keep the bag for next year if you think it'll hold up, or remove the plastic, chop the soil and roots up and use it for planting mix next year in a more conventional planter.
One thing to think about with balcony gardening... try not to put much weight on the outer edge of the balcony unless yours is well braced. At least here in the US, skinny little apartment balconies tend to be designed with the thought that they'll hold a charcoal grill and a few 8-12" flower pots and one person. When you put a lot of heavy, wet soil out on the edge of a balcony, you may be loading it more than it was designed for. Or as my DH the engineer says, "Any fool can build a bridge that will stand up. Takes an engineer to build one that will barely stand up." Substitute balcony for bridge and you've got the issue with modern US building codes in some places....
Kay
Be careful that you don't put too much weight on the balcony. A large flowerpot with potting mix doesn't really weigh much. But if you water that pot, the wet mix can become quite heavy. "A pint's a pound the world around." As I recall, a liter of water is a kilogram. You can distribute the weight by placing the containers on boards. But you still have to consider the total weight on the overall balcony. The manager of your complex should be able to advise you on this.
Once the weight issue is addressed, you can consider what to plant. This involves the exposure (morning, noon, or afternoon sun or no sun at all), wind (if your flat is on an upper floor), and other climate issues. Of course, many plants don't really care.
My mother grew tomatoes, bell peppers, asparagus, and herbs in pots on her balcony with only mid-day and early afternoon sun in a coastal area of southern California (generally cool to mild, sheltered from wind). She also had epiphyllum (orchid cactus), schlumbergera (Chrismas cactus), aloe vera, and various kalanchoe. She kept the soil moist but never wet (thus reducing the weight). However, her balcony was so filled with pots that -- for people -- there was standing room only. I was always concerned that the balcony would someday crash into the alley below, but it never did.
The biggest problem is drying out as such areas are often very exposed to sun and wind. Often they are concrete which also holds the heat during summer. Use larger tubs or troughs as they will dry out less between watering than small pots. Square or rectangular ones take less space than round and don't leave so many gaps for snails, vermin etc. You don't say if you own or rent but with tubs etc you can take them with you when you go. You can start with one tub if time or money are short. Drop hints that you need housewarming presents! Here are some ideas for plants that will give you a good return on investment.
- hardy small shrubs suited to the climate, keep them for years, those with interesting forms and leaves may be better in the long run than those with short-term flowers
- annual flowers, a splash of colour, generally in the warmer months, try different sorts, can be underplanted round your shrubs
- cooking herbs, useful and can look quite decorative as well, smell nice when you brush against them, can be underplanted round your shrubs too
David
I would like a big garden..also. However that should not stop from collecting plants. I have over 20 plants in a small nyc apartment:
HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.