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One of the biggest time-wasters with balcony gardening is watering. Luckily, there are stylish watering cans on the market, including collapsible ones. And the best part is that they’re easy to use, so you’ll spend less time watering your plants. You can also use pot trays to catch water to reduce the frequency of watering. A great way to avoid the crowded look of a balcony garden is to choose bold, structural plants. They tend to look better and have more impact than fussy and small arrangements.
Plants that grow up trellis
Plants that grow up a trellis are an excellent choice for a balcony garden. These plants will grow well and can add color and interest to a small space. A trellis allows you to add plants of varying heights, and you can easily add shade or privacy. Sugar snap peas are ideal for trellis gardens because they prefer cooler climates. They can reach a height of two to three feet for bush varieties and 6-8 feet for vines.
Many balcony plants require full sun or six hours of sunlight a day, but some thrive in partial shade. A trellis will help you get the proper amount of sunlight your plants need, and it will be a useful feature to add to your balcony. Some plants can even grow well in full shade. If you plan to plant a food crop, consider using a special seed mix designed for pollinators.
One of the most versatile plants that can grow up a trellis is honeysuckle. It is a popular choice for balconies because it has several different varieties. Honeysuckle can quickly become a bushy plant that blooms in the morning or at night. The flowers of this plant have a delightful aroma and attract animals throughout their growth cycle. Birds and other insects will visit the flowers and eat the berries. It is also a safe plant for cats and dogs to grow.
Another great choice for balcony gardens is a climbing rose. These are very floriferous and can reach a height of six to eight feet. Their long stems can make a trellis look very elegant. A climbing rose will have a slightly arching stem, and the flowers are fragrant and white.
Plants that grow up a repurposed wooden crate
Repurposed wooden crates make excellent planters for a balcony garden. They are lightweight and don’t take up much space, and they come with handles for easy portability. Other options include hanging baskets and outdoor railing baskets. You can also try tiered planters, which are a space-saving option. Tiered planters can be used to place plants higher than the rest of the garden.
Before planting your seeds, make sure the crate has adequate drainage. You can test this by filling the crate with water and watching it drain. The soil needs to drain easily, and any gaps between boards should be less than two inches. If you find that the crate is too dry, you may need to make additional drainage holes.
Repurposed wooden crates are cheap and easy to find. You can buy old wooden palettes from a grocery store or retail shop. These containers are perfect for balcony gardens, and they can add depth and texture to the landscape. They don’t take up much space, but they require the same amount of sunlight and water.
For a balcony garden, you’ll need to find plants that don’t take over the entire space. A sprawling squash plant wouldn’t work well, for example. But it’s possible to find other plants that work well on a balcony garden. For more information, check out Kevin Espiritu’s Field Guide to Urban Gardening for more information.
Repurposed wooden crates are a great source of affordable, space-efficient containers for growing vegetables. Vegetables like lettuce and tomatoes do well in these containers, and crates can double as striking balcony decor.
Plants that grow in wind-tolerant pots
Plants that grow in wind-tolerant pot sizes make excellent choices for a balcony garden. The wind can quickly dry out the soil in containers and shred leaves and stems. To reduce the impact of wind, choose pots with a mounding design. Choose shrubs and small trees that can filter the wind, such as small Japanese maples. Shade-loving plants like small hostas are also appropriate.
Euonymus is an excellent plant for a balcony garden because it can tolerate partial shade. It also produces bright yellow flowers and is a good choice for a balcony. Another great plant for a balcony is the ‘Lava’ plant, which can be grown in pots of 15 inches or 40 centimetres in width. For the soil, try John Innes No3 potting mix and slow-release fertilizer granules. You can also grow bedding plants such as petunias and pelargonium. These plants do best in sunny areas but are also a great choice for shady spots.
For a balcony garden with a high-wind exposure, there are many types of plants that grow well in wind-resistant pots. These include annuals, ferns, and even a few perennials. You can also try wind-tolerant seeds that can be grown indoors and moved outdoors in an appropriate container. These are generally less hardy than indoor plants, but still work well in a balcony garden.
Another great choice for a balcony garden are pelargoniums, which are sometimes called tender geraniums. Pelargoniums will look wonderful in containers and can even be grown as trailing plants, if you have a balcony. The trailing type will grow over the balcony, and you can prune it to keep the flowers blooming until autumn.
Plants that grow well in self-watering pots
In addition to flower and vegetable seeds, you can plant flowers in self-watering pots around your balcony. These blooms will attract pollinators and other beneficial insects. Make sure that the soil is moist and not compacted before planting. It is also a good idea to add stakes for support. For more information, see the North Carolina State Bulletin on Container Gardening. You can also compost your own soil using bokashi compost or vermicomposting.
Self-watering pots contain a reservoir that holds water in its bottom. This reservoir has a wicking system to draw water from the soil as needed. Some have an overflow drain that you can use to remove excess water. Some have a plug that you can pull out of the bottom when the pot is not in use.
Self-watering pots can save you time and effort. You can purchase self-watering planters in sets of one, three, or four and they come in a variety of colors. Most of these containers store water for about a week. They also feature indicators that show the water level. If you’re a beginner or just don’t have a green thumb, self-watering containers can prevent you from killing your houseplants.
Another great benefit of self-watering pots is that they prevent you from overwatering your plants. Overwatering can damage the roots and lead to root rot. Overwatering can also lead to fungal infections. Using self-watering pots is also convenient when you don’t have enough space for a full garden or balcony.
Finding pots at yard sales or second-hand stores
There are several ways to find inexpensive pots for a balcony garden, including yard sales and second-hand stores. Firstly, check out your local area to see what laws you need to follow regarding the growing of food. Some states do not allow the cultivation of certain food plants on balconies, so you’ll need to check the laws in your area. You can also go to a salvage yard or a flea market for great bargains.
If you can’t find any pots at yard sales or second-hand shops, you can always ask your neighbors if they have any pots they’re getting rid of. Often, they have extra pots or tires that are perfect for growing plants. Another good place to look for inexpensive pots is at shopping centers. These places usually have plenty of unused items, such as boxes and plastic cases. You can even ask at a store like Walmart if they have any pallet boards you can use to create planters.
When you’re selecting plants for a balcony garden, consider the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone for your area. It’s best to buy plants that are zone 5 or higher if you live in NYC. It’s not easy to transport plants from one place to another, so make sure you consider what you’ll be able to tolerate.
Plastic buckets are also a great option for a balcony garden. They’re small enough to carry when full, but big enough to grow substantial plants. Make sure to clean them thoroughly before using them. Also, old enamel or metal pots can be used as planters if you drill holes in them. You can even use colanders, which are deep enough for plant roots.
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