For most people who live in a big city, the thought of having a little outside space for a garden is an impossible dream. If you are one of the lucky few who has an apartment with a balcony, however, that is the ideal space for adding some life and color to your home. Different cities have different climates, so it is important that you take that and other factors into account when planning your garden. We will also offer some solutions to region specific conditions and issues that can hamper plant growth.
To help you bring some nature into your city life, here are some effective ways you can make your balcony garden look more beautiful.
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1. Choose Plants that Will Flourish in the Climate
The climate where you live is a crucial factor in choosing the right plants because different species flourish in different climates. If you live in a city where the weather changes dramatically between the summer and the winter, you will need to choose species that are able to live with those fluctuations. In Tokyo and Madrid, for example, the temperatures in summer are usually above 30 degrees celsius, but in the winter, they regularly drop between zero. If you live in a city like Sydney, where the temperatures are usually between 15 degrees Celsius and 35 degrees celsius, you can choose plants that are less hardy and prefer warmer weather.
2. Make Sure Your Garden is Secure from the Wind
Windy weather and powerful storms can not only destroy plants, but they can also potentially blow plants off your balcony, causing danger for the people below. To continue our example of Sydney, there’s a comparatively high number of storms and strong gales, so if you are experiencing high winds on an exposed balcony in a multi-story building, you may want to move larger plants that have a chance of tipping over, away from windows or fragile items. The most common insurance claims are from storms, so if you happen to be in Sydney look at your coverage preferences and plan the positioning of your plants carefully. The last thing you want is for one of your pots to fall on a pedestrian who could land you in legal trouble.
3. Encourage Birds and Insects
It may often be invisible, but nature thrives in cities, and encouraging birds and insects to your balcony garden can really help to bring it to life. In cities like New York and London, there are hundreds of species of birds (not just pigeons!), and you can easily attract them by putting out some seed or other bird food. You will also be able to bring insects like dragonflies to your garden if you include a small ornamental water feature like a stone fountain or use brightly colored plant pots. These are perfect in cities like Madrid, where you can incorporate local Spanish pieces. Waking up to the chirping of birds and the buzzing of insects is a big upgrade on beeping horns and the other sounds of the morning city.
A balcony garden is a perfect way to bring some more color into your city life. Creating a beautiful garden on your balcony is easy as long as you do the right preparation and consider the climate and conditions. Follow these three easy tips, and you will soon be the envy of all your neighbours.
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