Gardening of balconies

Residents of large cities almost always experience a lack of communication with wildlife. That’s why in the warm season we are so drawn to the forest, garden, to the river, or at least to the nearest park - it’s so nice to stroll through the shady alleys and admire the lush greenery and flowering of all kinds of plants. But we need to set aside time for such walks, and, at best, we manage to get out into nature no more than once a week.

Fortunately, almost every apartment has a balcony. This is a great place to create your own garden. Even if the balcony is very small, you can organize a cozy, blooming recreation and relaxation area on it.

A personalized balcony garden allows you to enjoy the benefits of nature at any time. This is the perfect place to get away from the concrete jungle. The best part is that you can choose what to grow according to your preferences.

However, to create your own balcony garden, you need to keep some important things in mind. If you have a glazed and insulated loggia, it maintains the same temperature and lighting conditions as in the room. If the balcony is open, you need to pay special attention to the choice of plants and pots for them.

Weight

When placing containers with flowers outside the balcony, be sure to ensure that they are securely secured. Choose lightweight plastic containers; it is better to avoid ceramic ones. Consider purchasing a substrate that is designed specifically for low weight.

Neighbours

Some plants can overhang and cover the windows of neighbors below, while flowering plants can attract bees or create other inconveniences. Make sure that your plants will not cause discomfort to those who live nearby. Ideally, obtain written permission rather than limit yourself to a verbal agreement.

External factors

Consider variable weather conditions. Wind, rain or excessive sunlight can damage your plant. Install windbreaks, holes and good drainage in plant containers.

What should balcony flowers be like?

• With a small root system, which economically consumes resources, because it is difficult to place large boxes in a modest space.
• Low overhead part. Plants that are too tall can be broken by the wind, and in small boxes such plants look unsightly.
• Provide long and abundant flowering. After all, you want to get maximum pleasure from contemplating flowering plants while the time of year allows.
• Unpretentiousness and resistance to temperature changes. You don't plan on bringing the pots back into the apartment every evening, do you?

How to choose plants for the balcony?

When choosing plants for landscaping a balcony, the main criterion is its placement. Sunny or shady side.

Plants for a sunny balcony

Plants are generally light-loving, but not many can tolerate heat and direct sunlight throughout the day. On the south side, cacti and succulents, palm trees, croton, begonia, and hippeastrum will feel good.

Plants for a shady balcony

For the shady side, you can choose plants that can easily tolerate a lack of light: anthurium, scindapsus, sansevieria, aglaonema, zamiakulkas.

Идеи озеленения балкона

Before you start creating your own balcony garden, think through the details. The balcony area plays a key role in the design - as a rule, it is small. Balcony phytodesign aims to maximize space and not clutter it to the point that there is no room to enjoy it.

Vertical gardening

On a small balcony, wall-mounted climbing plants - scindapsus, hedera - fit optimally. They can be placed on small shelves or in hanging flowerpots.

If you make a grid over which your vines can grow, you can create living blinds that block prying eyes or a less-than-aesthetic view from the window.

Hanging Garden

This design allows many plants to grow in the often neglected overhead space. Flowerpots will not take up space on the floor and will not interfere with the passage. And such an airy garden looks very unusual and creative. In hanging pots you can place plants with hanging leaves - chlorophytum, cissus, aeschynanthus.

On the railing

Attaching plant pots to the balcony railing is another brilliant idea as it does not require any extra space. Flowering indoor plants - azalea, begonia, gardenia - will look very beautiful on the external railings. The main thing is to choose the right lighting for a particular plant and strengthen the flowerpots well.

Floor planters

Larger plants in floor flowerpots can be placed on the balcony if space allows. Areca, dracaena, ficus and other large trees can turn your balcony into a real green jungle! But do not forget that these plants will not be able to stay on the open balcony in winter and will need to be returned indoors.

It’s good to use a combination of several types of balcony landscaping, experiment, get creative - and get an amazing result!

Summary

Balcony gardening is an opportunity to create your own mini-garden in a city apartment. Plants act as a natural humidifier and create a cool environment around them. Relaxing in such a green oasis in the middle of the concrete jungle will relieve fatigue, inspire, fill you with strength and increase your ability to work. Plus, it's just very beautiful!

Comfort and beauty for your home!