So, these last couple of months I’ve been focusing on really turning my 3rd floor balcony into an outdoor room that’s both functional and inviting. I say really because, although I’ve been in my current apartment for over two years now, I’ve only just been dabbling with this space. I’m not free to post full pics at the moment–I’ve pinky-promised to refrain from full pics on my blog until two book-writing cohorts publish them in their book in the fall! But, I want to share with you some things I’ve been learning about this very different kind of gardening:
- Make sure things are secured in case of high wind. The 3rd floor can be a brisk place to be, my friends. Walking out in the morning to a felled palm tree with potting soil all over the rug is not cool.
- Make sure your container plants are compatible. An obvious comment, especially from a landscaper? Yeah, but we’re always learning, too! I got into old-fashioned annuals this spring, and I planted marigolds and geraniums together in rail planter. The marigolds love water and fertilizer, the geraniums bloom better with less of each.
- Take advantage of every vertical surface. Even the 4 x 4 wooden porch post gets a small planter and some decorative tins.
- Have lots of seating. I can seat 6 people out there comfortably, but I never thought I could before! Two at a bistro table, two on a chaise lounge and two on a little bench pushed up against the railing.
- Pay attention to lights. Most of us balcony-dwellers have one ugly fixed light. I added overhead patio stringed patio lights and lots of candles. If you get wind on your balcony, make sure your candles are protected in glass holders or hurricanes.
- Be sure to have Fernando the Cabana Boy on hand to bring you a libation. I cannot stress this enough. Even if Fernando is really Bob whom you’ve been with for 13 years and has a bit of a beer belly–girl, it works! We gardeners know how to use what we have! ; )
photo by static.open.salon.com
I’ll be posting more balcony-dwelling ideas for my like-dwelling readers out there over the months, but another good source for balcony gardening comes from Fern Richardson, who blogs at Life On The Balcony in Long Beach, CA. If you’re gardening on a balcony, what have you learned that you can share with the rest of us?
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Great suggestions, Jenny. Now I am in search of Fernando’s cousin, Rolando. Do you have his number?
I’m on it, Diana!
Hey Jenny – how’d you get a picture of Tom? You must’ve taken one when you were out here, right?