Text Content:
Balcony Gardening:
Extend your home.
Author: Migle Saveikyte
Contents
Introduction …. (insert page no.)
Analyse your space … (insert page no.)
Go shopping …… (etc)
Know the basics ….
Pick the right plants ……
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Marigold…
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Chrysanthemum…
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Pansy…
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Fuchsia…
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Hydrangea…
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Begonia…
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Impatiens…
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Petunia…
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Clemantis…
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Lavender…
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Geranium…
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Dianthus…
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Lantana…
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Morning Glory…
Keep it low maintenance ….
Enjoy your garden …..
Introduction
Living in a flat or apartment can at times become stuffy and
claustrophobic, however, if you’ve picked up this little guide it means you
have some means of salvation; a balcony. Having even the smallest corner filled
with flowers or fauna not only creates a beautiful scene, but also a pleasing
atmosphere. A balcony garden encourages you to step outside of your stuffy
boxed flat and breathe some fresh air, increasing your well being as well as
refreshing your mind. Most people do not understand or see the potential of a
balcony, and whether or not you are one of these people, this guide will show
you how to create a small corner of nature that will not only become an
extension of your home, but quite possibly your favourite secret spot.
Analyse your space
The first step to starting your dream balcony garden is to
see what you’re working with. Analyse your space: How big is your balcony? How
many plant pots can it fit? Should the plant pots be round, rectangular, wide,
tall? How much sun does your balcony get? Is there room for a table and chairs?
Is there a roof? How much weight can your balcony take? Are there any specific
walls or scenes you would like to block from view? Figure out what you would
like your balcony garden to have, and what purpose it should serve. Maybe you
want it to become the place where you enjoy your coffee each morning, or maybe
you want it to be your reading corner. Think about all of these things and plan
out in your mind, or maybe even on paper, what it is you imagine your balcony
garden to look like. Once you’ve done that the rest is almost simple, to make
your dreams a reality.
Go shopping
As I’m sure you’d agree, one of the fun parts of bringing
something new to your home is to shop for it. The secret to a fulfilling and
beautiful balcony garden is not just the right flowers, but also the right
furniture and decorations. Consider the purpose you’ve chosen for you balcony
garden, and work your way around stores in search for items that would fit that
purpose. Whether it be a small table and chairs for that morning coffee, or one
large snug chair for your reading, make sure to keep an eye on sizing and that
the items you buy fit comfortably into your balcony space. If your balcony does
not have a roof, also make sure to buy outdoor furniture, as you wouldn’t want
an investment to go to waste due to a little rain. However, furniture is not
the only thing you should consider. Think about lights, throws, pillows,
paintings, statues and other various little trinkets you could dot around to
make your balcony that much more cosier. Lastly, think long and hard about your
potting plants, do you want them on the floor? Hanging on the railing? Fixed to
a wall? Do you want brown ones? Grey ones? Red? Cream? Blue? Black? Do you want
them round? Square? Rectangular? Tall? Short? Wide? There are dozens of shapes,
sizes and colours to choose from, and there is no right answer to which are the
best, it is up to you and your taste to decide what you feel is the right fit.
Most importantly, do not go into the store knowing exactly what you want, it is
better to have a some what of a vague idea, and allow inspiration to come to
you, as you never know, you might pick up something you didn’t at all expect to
find and love.
Know the basics
Sometimes starting a balcony garden is not as easy as it may
seem, after all, flowers weren’t meant to grow 30 feet in the air in a small
plastic box, so knowing the basics is essential to avoid disappointment. If you
are a beginner in gardening all together, it would be advised to start small,
with a few of the easier to grow plants we will discuss later on. As far as balcony
gardening basics, this is what you need to consider:
- Figure out your best means of accessing water, potted
plants need watering all year round.
- Ensure plant pots are lightweight and have enough drainage
holes in the base; you do not want to put too much extra weight on your
balcony.
- Consider your weather conditions, and if you need to
create shelter from strong winds, shade from too much sunlight, or water more
regularly from lack of rain.
- Plant pots will dry out quickly in hot weather, so make
sure they are a good width and depth for their plant.
- Feed plants regularly, as they do not have the luxury of
receiving natural nutrients unlike plants on the ground.
- Check plant pots periodically, to ensure plant roots are
not congested. If they are, re-pot into something larger in spring.
- Refresh the pot soil annually, replacing the top few
centimetres of soil with fresh compost.
Pick the right plants
After you’ve planned, shopped and learnt what you need to
start your balcony garden, the only thing missing are the plants. There are
thousands of different types of plants, many of which with great care and
attention you could make a part of your balcony garden. Some, of course, are
more difficult to maintain than others, just like some people do not have as
much free time to look after their plants as others. What you plant is inevitably
up to you, your taste, your time availability and your confidence in your own
gardening skills. However, if you’re stuck on ideas just yet, following is a
list of some easy to grow plant and flower suggestions to get you started.
Marigold
Type: Annual
Plant: Spring, Early summer
Light: Sun
Height: 6 to 12 inches
Width: 6 to 8 inches
Flower Colours: Orange, Red
Bloom: Fall, Summer
Water: At least once every 2 days
Chrysanthemum
Type: Perennial
Plant: Spring, Early summer
Light: Part Sun, Sun
Height: 1 to 3 feet
Width: 1 to 3 feet
Flower Colours: Blue, Green, Orange, Pink Red,
White
Bloom: Fall, Summer
Water: At least once every 2 days
Pansy
Type: Annual, Perennial
Plant: Spring, Summer
Light: Part Sun, Sun
Height: 6 to 12 inches
Width: 4 to 12 inches
Flower Colours: Blue, Orange, Pink, Red, White
Bloom: Fall, Spring
Water: At least once every 2 days
Fuchsia
Type: Annual, Perennial
Plant: Early Spring
Light: Part Sun, Shade, Sun
Height: 1 to 8 feet
Width: 1 to 5 feet
Flower Colours: Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, White
Bloom: Fall, Summer
Water: Daily
Hydrangea
Type: Shrub
Plant: Spring, Fall
Light: Part Sun, Shade
Height: 3 to 20 feet
Width: 3 to 18 feet
Flower Colours: Blue, Pink, White, Yellow
Bloom: Fall, Summer
Water: At least once every 2 days
Begonia
Type: Annual
Plant: Late Spring
Light: Part Sun, Shade, Sun
Height: 6 inches to 3 feet
Width: 6 to 12 inches
Flower Colours: Orange, Pink, White, Yellow
Bloom: Fall, Spring, Summer
Water: At least once every 2 days
Impatiens
Type: Annual
Plant: Late Spring, Early Summer
Light: Shade
Height: 1 to 3 feet
Width: 1 to 2 feet
Flower Colours: Blue, Orange, Pink, Red, White
Bloom: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter
Water: Daily
Petunia
Type: Annual
Plant: Spring
Light: Part Sun, Sun
Height: 6 inches to 8 feet
Width: 1 to 4 feet
Flower Colours: Blue, Pink, Red, White
Bloom: Fall, Spring, Summer
Water: Once a week
Clemantis
Type: Perennial, Vine
Plant: Spring
Light: Part Sun, Sun
Height: 3 to 20 feet
Width: 3 to 20 feet
Flower Colours: Blue, Pink, Purple, Red, White,
Yellow
Bloom: Fall, Spring, Summer
Water: At least once every 2 days
Lavender
Type: Perennial, Shrub
Plant: Spring
Light: Sun
Height: 1 to 3 feet
Width: 1 to 3 feet
Flower Colours: Blue, Purple
Bloom: Summer
Water: Once a week
Geranium
Type: Annual, Perennial
Plant: Late Spring, Early Summer
Light: Sun
Height: 6 inches to 3 feet
Width: Up to 2 feet
Flower Colours: Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, White
Bloom: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter
Water: Once a week
Dianthus
Type: Perennial
Plant: Late Spring
Light: Part Sun, Sun
Height: 6 inches to 3 feet
Width: 4 to 18 inches
Flower Colours: Pink, Purple, Red, White, Yellow
Bloom: Spring, Summer
Water: Once a week
Lantana
Type: Annual, Perennial
Plant: Spring
Light: Sun
Height: under 6 inches to 8 feet
Width: up to 4 feet
Flower Colours: Blue, Orange, Pink, Red, White
Bloom: Fall, Summer
Water: Daily
Morning Glory
Type: Annual, Vine
Plant: Spring, Early Summer
Light: Sun
Height: 8 to 20 feet
Width: Up to 15 feet
Flower Colours: Blue, Pink, Red, White
Bloom: Fall, Summer
Water: Once a week.
Keep it low maintenance
We all live busy and exciting lives, so it’s easy every now
and again to neglect some of the less monumental things in life, such as the
half-read book on your bedside table, the haircut you’ve been needing for the
past month, the dust collecting on your bookshelf, and even the flowers in your
balcony garden that are needing a water. Maintaining your balcony garden
shouldn’t ever become a chore, but for those tied up moments in life, here are
some timesaving tips.
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Using a hosepipe to water will be faster than
using a watering can.
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Water saving granules, when added to the soil,
can increase its ability to absorb water, reducing the need to water.
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A water ball or plant minder holds a reservoir
of water that slowly seeps into the soil and only needs to be refilled about
once every two weeks.
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A level drip irrigation system is something to
consider if you are investing for the long term.
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Adding a top dressing such as pebbles, slate
pieces, or wood bark chips, will prevent water from evaporating as quickly.
Enjoy your garden
Finally, you’re all set up, furnished, decorated and
planted; the only thing left to do is to enjoy the new extension of your home.
Don’t forget to care for your garden, treat it with love, and embrace every
peaceful moment. Your balcony garden will only be as beautiful and fulfilling
as you allow it to be!
Image Content: (primary and secondary)
Balcony Garden Images
Flower Images
Sources:
http://balconygardenweb.com/best-flowers-for-balcony-garden/
https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=balcony%20garden&rs=typed&term_meta[]=balcony%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=garden%7Ctyped
http://balconygardenweb.com/best-plants-for-balcony-garden/
http://balconygardenweb.com/low-maintenance-garden-ideas-easy-gardening/
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=674
http://www.housebeautiful.co.uk/garden/designs/how-to/a781/balcony-garden-guide/
https://www.gardenista.com/posts/ask-the-expert-the-balcony-gardener-isabelle-palmer/
https://www.almanac.com/gardening/growing-guides
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After my presentation feedback, I had decided to narrow the target audience of my project, and changed my idea from being flower gardening overall, to just flower gardening within a balcony. Due to this change, when writing the content to hand off to my partner, I had to research the more focussed topic along the way. The research I had done previously still informed some of the content writing, and although the previous research wasn't directly related to 'balcony gardening', it gave me a more in-depth understanding of the subject and helped me write the content with more confidence. The image content of the publication is unfortunately mostly from secondary sources, this is again due to the change in focus of my project. Whereas before I simply collected images of flower types, for the new focus I needed the flowers to be within the context of a balcony. Due to the time limitations of having to provide my partner with the content of the publication so she could start designing, I had to opt for gathering the imagery I needed from secondary sources. Although this is not ideal and something I am unhappy with, as I'd rather have created and photographed my own 'balcony garden' to include within the publication, it was a choice that had to be made. If the brief allowed us to continue creating our own publication idea/project, I would have had more time to gather the primary sources I wanted. Negatives aside, overall I am happy with the project idea and content I generated for this brief, and am excited to see how my partner designs it.
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