Gardening in Outdoor Spaces
If you were lucky enough to score some outside space at your place, it’s time to make the best of it! Barbecues, summer parties, and sunbathing on Saturday afternoons all await you. One of the easiest ways to add color, life, and beauty to your outdoor area is by adorning it with potted foliage. Never fear, if you haven’t been able to keep so much as a corner houseplant alive in the past, we’ve got some great tips to help you make the most of your balcony, patio, or porch. You’ll make your indoor neighbors green with envy!
To get your garden on deck, start by evaluating the type of space you have:
- Before you purchase any plants, you need to consider the amount of weight your space can hold. Most building safety codes require balconies to be built to support 60 pounds per square foot. If you aren’t on the ground level, your best bet is to go with lightweight growing media over traditional soil because it can weigh up to 60% less. Don’t use a soil-free mix, as it can blow away on windy days, causing damage to your plants. When deciding on planters, look for lighter-weight plastics and cedar wood.
- Your outdoor space is going to be transformed into a microclimate for your plants, so figure out how much sunlight and wind the area receives. Too little or too much can wreak havoc for delicate plants in their early stages.
- Flowers are not your only option. As long as there is appropriate sunlight, shrubs, small trees, and even fruit-bearing plants can be options for smaller spaces. Vegetable plants need at least five hours of direct sunlight per day, 8-10 hours is ideal.
- While container gardening is the easiest choice, another option is vertical gardening. Vertical gardening uses upright structures to support plants. Tomato plants and grapes can be gardened using this method.
Now you’re ready to head to your local garden center and pick up your lightweight growing mixture, planters and a variety of seeds or pre-grown plants.
When you arrive, keep this list in mind to make the process smoother:
- Planters should be at least 6-8 inches deep for adequate root development.
- Consider the view from a variety of angles, and whether or not you want to block out your neighbors’ views. If not, choose plants that will not grow over a foot or so.
- If you live in a cold-weather climate, purchase builder’s foam that is ¾-inch thick. Lining your planters with it will protect plant roots from the cold.
- Annuals are a popular choice, but perennials will also work if you can bring them inside in the cold months. You can also wrap them in packing material if your indoor space is too cramped.
- If you don’t opt for flowers, try shrubs, ivy and ferns for a simple green pattern.
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