How to Maintain and manage Your Balcony Garden?

Most homeowners love a large and spacious garden, If you are living in a flat it has become a luxury that only a few can afford. This should not restrict one from enjoying the bliss of nature and greenery. Balcony garden ideas are an exciting way to introduce a small garden space in your home without needing a much larger area. 

How to start a garden in a flat without a proper yard? If you have access to a balcony, rooftop or terrace you can plant a wide range of veggies, herbs etc. in containers. Ponmankal Homes projects fulfil your balcony garden dreams by offering numerous flats in Kottayam and across the state. Lee Heights by Ponmankal Homes is located at Thellakom in Kottayam. 

Various doubts will come to your mind in the course of decision-making, but proper research will help you make the right decision. Mentioned here are some of the tips one should keep in mind to maintain and manage your balcony garden. Do read the information below and make sure that these points are included on your checklist. Here are some useful balcony garden ideas and tips that you can use to enhance the space around you.

1. Plan your space:

The first step in designing your balcony garden is to plan the space inside your balcony. Since you don’t have a large area you have to plan the space optimally. Hence, it is very important to plan the space before you start working on your balcony garden.

Divide your balcony into the garden area for plants, the seating and the utility space. Reserve the hottest and the sunniest part of the garden. The cooler area for seating. Maintain a small area in the garden to keep the essentials to maintain the garden. This can either be kept open or you can use containers or multi-utility storage spaces.

2.Choose the right plants:

Plants are the most important part of your balcony garden and it’s very important to discuss the plants that you can add to your balcony. Depending on the time you can dedicate to your garden, you can pick plants that are easy to maintain, or that need a lot of care. The rate of growth, the space that they need for the completion of the growth, and the kind of care and attention they need are the most important factors to keep in mind while selecting your plants. Some plants are more prone to different infections than others, and this can be risky as they can contaminate the other plants too.

Different plants need a different types of climatic conditions to grow. Some are more suited to be kept in the North direction, some others in the East or West. You must also take into consideration the amount of sunlight that the plants need. If you have minimal space do not opt for plants that need a large space and that grow rapidly. You can also opt for vegetable and herb plants that will be a great addition to your garden but will keep your kitchen stocked with fresh and organic herbs.

You can also opt for vertical gardens as they are beautiful and save a lot of space in the garden. 

By following these simple tips, one can design their own little garden in their dreams right on their balcony without the need for a larger or much exorbitant space.

3. Right furniture:

This is one of the key factors if you are including furniture in your balcony area. Try to include furniture that is lightweight, weatherproof and ideally foldable. First, determine the use of furniture, for reading books, to make it a family hang-out space or a multi-utility space. You could even add a small dining table and make your balcony garden an outdoor dining area that is great to also accommodate guests for an evening party.

4. Manage Drainage Problems:

Another big concern in managing balcony gardeners is watering and drainage. The easiest solution for this drainage issue is to put saucers, with a layer of pebbles, under the pots. Make sure to put holes at the bottom of the pot. This will help the container drain the water, which prevents the bottom of the pot from sitting in the water. You can also take advantage of self-watering pots that water your plants and are only fed when needed.

If you have only a little and small plants in your apartment balcony garden, you can water them from inside the sink and drain them freely. That will keep your garden area free from water and soil particles. Incorporating drought-tolerant plants in your balcony also will be an ideal choice.

5. Choose the right lighting

As the balcony is outdoor it wouldn’t need lighting during the day, choosing the right lighting for the night is more important. If you are planning to use your balcony after sunset, good functional lighting is a must. However, things that will be ideal for making your balcony more dream-like are the addition of lighting ideas. Use fairy lights, LEDs or quirky hanging or table-mounted lights to make your balcony dreamy and magical.

6.Hide Your Wall or Railing

If you love sitting outside on your balcony and love to have a lot of privacy, you can incorporate plants to hide your wall or railing. That will not only make a more aesthetically pleasing place for you to sit and relax but will also give you enough privacy

The best way to do this is to add climber plants like ivy, honeysuckle and jasmine; exotic vines like passion flowers; or edible plants like gourds or beans in your apartment balcony garden.

7. Add Statement pieces

Your balcony garden can create a good ambience if you can add some statement items like antique pieces, old sculptures et. This will enhance the look of your balcony garden. Add some antique findings or small sculptures by local artists or items that you collected while your travel that are safe to be used in a semi-open space.