Choosing to reside in an apartment has its benefits sure; for one, if you want to live in the beating heart of any city, a house probably isn’t an option. The price, of course, often plays a factor. Naturally, a smaller area comes with a smaller price tag. But, it’s what you do with that space that’s most important.
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The reasons for your choice of abode may also come down to things like proximity to work, close by to restaurants, shopping, and general convenience. But every pro typically comes with a con. The big drawbacks are typically the limited space and lack of a backyard, meaning you might be missing out on a garden. But this doesn’t have to be the case. If you have a balcony, you can have a balcony garden no matter how big or small your terrace is. Let’s look at the reasons why and the benefits of having your own little green oasis, namely a balcony garden.
If your balcony is big enough, what a perfect place to do a spot of yoga, surrounded by greenery, breathing in all that sweet air that plants naturally provide.
What is a balcony Garden?
The clue is in the name, yes, you guessed it, it’s a garden on your balcony. But for a city dweller with no access to a yard, it’s more than just a couple of plants. It can be a personal area to relax, an attractive workspace, a source of food, a hobby, a privacy barrier: it can be many things.
Let’s delve deeper and flesh out some of the key benefits.
Ambiance, atmosphere, and place to unwind
After a hard day of work, isn’t it nice to have your own little area to wind down the day? What better than having a green space to reflect and relax. And it doesn’t just have to be green; think of all the colors you can add with the right flowers. The right mix can add a magical touch to a plain and boring space.
Whether it’s reading a book, sipping a nice hot mug of joe, or some meditation time, pleasant surroundings only add and complement any downtime. If your balcony is big enough, what a perfect place to do a spot of yoga, surrounded by greenery, breathing in all that sweet air that plants naturally provide. Why not place a few candles for the evening, perhaps a water feature, and with all foliage mixed in, voilà , you have yourself a perfect space to de-stress.
Connecting to mother nature
Anyone who leads a busy city life surely longs to connect with nature from time to time. It’s no surprise that city parks, particularly good ones, are so popular in any city in the world. Without the chance to venture to the countryside regularly and being bereft of a backyard, having a little piece of nature to access at home cannot be underestimated. Many studies have shown the negative effects on our mental well-being when we have a “nature deficit”. Having that connection is vital. Considering the events of last year and the limited chances to travel and explore, a garden of any type is a nice state-of-mind booster shot. Having that extra nature nearby also acts as a pollution filter. Instead of stale air, you will now get a steady flow of fresh air instead.
Eat well and save money
Who doesn’t like saving a bit of cash? It might only be a little bit, but why not add your own herb garden to your balcony. The possibilities are endless, maybe some mint, a little lavender, or a spot of sage. Not only can you save some greenback, nothing tops produce straight from the garden. If you’re a real foodie, a simple meal with the right fresh ingredients can’t be beaten. And just think of all those nice aromas that will be emanating from your place of peace.
Here’s a list of popular and easy to grow herbs for your balcony garden:
- Lavender
- Thyme
- Oregano
- Sage
- Parsley
- Basil
- Chives
- Rue
- Lemon Verbena
- Cilantro or Coriander
- Bay leaf
- Chamomile
- Curry Tree
It doesn’t only have to be limited to herbs. You can have your own fruit and veggie patch too. If you’re looking to grow some easy vegetables for a balcony garden, some cherry Tomatoes are always a good choice (ok, they are technically a fruit). Also beans, peppers, Radishes. Carrots. Peas. Eggplant and beets. Consider getting a vertical garden planter to maximize your space and with a bit of TLC, you’ll have a ready source of fresh green goodness throughout the year.
If you’re a real foodie, a simple meal with the right fresh ingredients can’t be beaten. And just think of all those nice aromas that will be emanating from your place of peace.
List of garden tools and their uses
You don’t need to spend the house to create a balcony garden; here is a shortlist of easy-to-find and inexpensive tools to consider when you get started.
Pruner: Make sure your pruner blade is sharp, rustproof, and ideally has a locking mechanism. A staple of any gardener’s arsenal. Vital for improving the shape and growth of your plants.
Micro-tip Scissors: More precision than a pruner; once again, you want it nice and sharp, ideally made from titanium or steel and a lock feature to prevent any accidents.
Hand Trowel: Like a mini spade, the weapon of choice and most useful for all keen green thumb amateurs. Mix and level your soil, transplant seedlings, scooping out potting mix; it has a variety of uses. Go for a heavy metal like iron or carbon steel and a nice ergonomic grip.
Hand Cultivator: Used for raking and tilling, the three-pronged tool helps take out weeds and mix any fertilizer. Once again, go for heavy metal and comfortable grip. If you’re looking for a trusty tool in this department, I quite like the Dewit 5-Tine Cultivator.
Gardening gloves: No need to get your hands and nails dirty, protect them with some gardening gloves. If you plan on spending plenty of time in your garden, get yourself a pair.
Watering can: You can use any container, of course, but they are “dirt” cheap, excuse the pun, and a necessary addition to your garden tending repertoire.
So what’s stopping you from getting a simple apartment balcony garden?
With low costs and all the benefits that come with it, starting a balcony garden should be on your to-do list From creating a charming space of relaxation, a source of fresh food, an educational tool for children, a connection to nature, and a hobby to soothe the soul. There should be nothing stopping you on your journey to starting your own balcony garden.
Do you have a balcony garden? Leave all your tips in the comments section below 🙂
Need more ideas for a simple apartment balcony garden, check out these concepts to spruce up your terrace…
