6 TIPS TO SET-UP A BEAUTIFUL ‘BALCONY GARDEN’ IN YOUR APARTMENT

admin | October 6, 2021

With our cities transforming into high-rise concrete jungles, the ground space is decreasing considerably and the only means to have some greenery around us is by having some vegetation on the terrace or balcony planter of these concrete jungles. Moreover, irrespective of the size, having a garden can offer us some fresh air and can turn into a rewarding endeavor.

If you are fortunate to have access to a balcony, terrace, rooftop, or patio within your apartment or home, take a look at these 6 balcony garden ideas to be inspired and create your own urban balcony garden within your living spaces.

1. Choosing the area

If you are living in an apartment or condo, make sure to check if the rules of your building allow you to set-up a garden. Depending on the location available to you (Balcony, terrace, rooftop, or patio), take measurements of the area you would be allotted for your garden and mark the same for placing pots and containers and plan your balcony garden design.

You can also consider space available in other forms such as railings and walls, where you can hang containers or pots and create a vertical garden also. In case of a lack of space, you can also consider using foldable furniture which is light and compatible.  Choosing the perfect balcony garden design is a really important step.

2. Selection of plants

Choosing the right plants for your balcony garden/roof-top garden is also important. You should not waste your time, space, and efforts on a plant that’s not going to grow. Taking into account the direction your balcony is facing, and calculating the sunlight it receives, you can choose the type of plants for your balcony garden that have the potential of growth in your roof-top conditions.

As plants can dramatically change the way your balcony planter appears and feels, the task of building a balcony garden can be worth its efforts and the space you have build could turn into a peaceful spot where you can sit and contemplate the nature you have brought into your home. Most of the peoples choose hanging plants for balcony for better appealing.

3. Type of containers

Once you have chosen your plants, the next thing to decide is the type of container or pot to place your plants. As there are various types of pots and containers available in different sizes, shapes, forms, and materials, you can choose one according to your own preferences or even think about building one of your own.

Another thing to consider is if your balcony planter or rooftop can take the added weight of pots along with the soil. As the usual terra cotta and ceramic pots are heavy, it would be practical to prefer alternative options such as rice pots, plastic or fiberglass containers or fabric grow with lightweight soil mixes.

4. Watering the plants

An adequate amount of water is significant for the growth of any plant. But considering roof-top gardeners, watering a plant is an issue. Plants, according to their various types, require different amounts of water and as a gardener, you need to figure out how you are going to get water to your plants. Drip irrigation and self-watering pots are two of the new-age alternatives for watering plants.

You also need to ensure that the water from your plants does not drain to your neighbor’s house. Placing saucers or trays under your plants to prevent overflow can be a courteous effort.

 5. Sunlight is important 

Along with water, an adequate amount of sunlight is also significant for the growth of any type of plant. Therefore, ensure that your balcony garden gets enough amount of sunlight. Rooftops and balconies getting searingly hot, all plants cannot thrive in extreme heat and you need to take this into consideration while planning what to grow.

Taking into account the amount and duration of sunlight received on a daily basis in your balcony planter or terrace and differentiating between direct and indirect sunlight, you can allocate specific areas for each plant according to their needs of sunlight or shade. In case you have a shady balcony or terrace, you can make the most out of it by growing plants that tolerate shade or needs less sunlight to grow.

 6. Go organic

Finding organic seeds and plants is very much convenient these days with several e-commerce platforms and applications available to everyone, and you will even have ample options and varieties to choose from. You just need to be careful to choose organic seeds from a reputable company and for this, you can read the review and customer testimonials and gain some insight.

Avoiding the use of chemicals and pesticides, you should only use natural, organic fertilizer to promote the development of the plants.  Plant compost can be prepared by decomposing kitchen waste, dried leaves, or animal waste with the help of beneficial microbes to promote good yields.

Evolving as an eco-friendly builder in Kerala, Veegaland Homes supports all kinds of green initiatives that are beneficial for a sustainable future and design and build flats and apartments with eco-friendly means and state-of-the-art techniques.