Tiny living is a craze sweeping
the nation. Giving up the house and the yard for small condos in the
city or tiny homes on a small plot are a popular choice for both
millennials looking to decrease their footprint and retiring baby
boomers who are more content traveling than keeping up a home. While
giving up material possessions to live in a smaller space is one hurdle,
many condo and apartment dwellers lament over their inability and lack
of space to garden. For many, growing vegetables is their favorite part
of summer. Gardening is a great way to relieve stress and is a
lifelong hobby, and shouldn’t have to be sacrificed just because you
don’t have a backyard. For those that live somewhere without much green
space – or maybe none at all – we have compiled a list of tips on have
to not only garden on a budget, but garden on a balcony as well!
Window Box Wonder
If you don’t have a balcony and think
you are out of luck to grow tasty summer fruits, have no fear! All you
need is a window box to grow summertime strawberries. All you need are
alpine strawberry plants, planting soil, and a wooden or wire hanging
window box. To give the illusion of a large harvest, place the plants
close together. Water throughout the spring and summer and pick the
fruit as they ripen. Fresh strawberries are great for topping yogurt,
ice cream and cobbler!
Hang Cool
For those who have a balcony and want
to maximize space, don’t forget about the railings. Use the railings to
holding hanging baskets or boxes. Use your creativity and mix and
match different containers or go for a streamlined, modern look with
sleek rectangular containers. The best part of this is that you can put
whatever you like in the boxes. In addition to livening up the balcony,
plants can serve as a great noise reducer.
Hot Spot
Does your balcony get inundated with
sun throughout the day? While this could damage delicate plants, it is
the perfect spot for chiles. Chiles are easy to plant in pots and can
easily left out in the elements. Once the chilis are ready to be
picked, you will have the freshest ingredients for Taco Tuesday! Your
neighbors will be begging to come over.
Up, Up, and Away
If you are concerned about losing
precious patio space, then consider a vertical garden. Most garden
centers or home improvement stores sell the infrastructure for the
vertical garden. Depending on the motif, you can either go modern with
stainless steel-looking containers, or for a more rustic vibe,
distressed wood. Mix and match the plants in the vertical garden to
create depth and vibrance.
Raising the Bar
If a vertical garden is more than you
bargained for, look into a raised off the ground gardening bed. This
type of garden is also good for those that have a hard time getting off
of the ground or find traditional gardens too low down. Another
advantage to raised gardens is that since they are in containers off the
ground, plants are not subjected to changes in ground temperature.
Plants are more protected and can last longer into the cooler fall
months.
Its Thyme
Herbs are easy to grow both in and
outdoors and make the perfect small space gardening project. First, pick
out the herbs that you use the most in cooking since herbs have the
tendency to grow quickly. Basil, thyme, mint and parsley are universal
favorites that are easy for both the novice and expert gardener. The
main thing to take into consideration when planting herbs together is
the amount of water they require. Some, like mint and parsley, need
more water and prefer moist soil while thyme thrives in soil that is
well drained. Once these herbs grow, gently prune them and use them for
cooking or festive drinks!
Gardening shouldn’t be limited to
just those that have a backyard. Don’t let small spaces deter you from
your favorite summer time hobby!
This article was first published at 6 Genius Ways to Master Small Space Gardening at
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