Wall to wall planting of flowers and shrubs creates a tranquil atmosphere on your apartment balcony. It also gives you the opportunity to create the look of a historic estate, as the size of your wall garden will dictate the architecture used. You can incorporate various styles and themes from the outside to match the style of your home. If you are going for a traditional look, you may want to use bricks, while if you want a tropical theme you may wish to use tiki torches along with palm trees and herbs. The possibilities are endless.
Before you begin, you should determine how much space you have available for your wall to wall garden. Measure the dimension of the area where you would like the plants to be and make sure that they will not be cut down or uprooted during construction. Also decide if you want to grow plants indoors or out. Indoor plants can be used on your patio during cold weather and moved inside during warmer weather. Plants outside can sit in the hot sun all day and be damaged by the intense heat.
You will need to prepare the soil for your apartment garden. Prepare the soil by removing all the weeds and grass from around your plants and then using a heavy rototiller or cultivation equipment, lightly remove the topsoil. When the soil is prepared, use an herbicide containing the weed killer to kill any remaining unwanted plants. Wait one year before harvesting your plants to give the soil time to settle.
If you are growing plants inside your balcony, a raised bed with wire netting or a raised wooden box will work well. If you are growing plants outdoors, the best choice would be a pot or box. Make sure the pots or boxes you purchase are large enough to hold the weight of the plant with its roots. If you are growing small plants outside, you can place them in a plastic pot, but make sure that it is large enough to accommodate the plants you intend to place there.
It is important to keep your plants watered. Rainwater is fine, but if you are growing plants like herbs that require regular watering, consider using water augers. Water the plants in the morning and again in the evening. Do not saturate the soil. Use only moisten the soil and allow it to drain before you replant them.
If you do not have space for a raised bed, consider using a raised planter or hanging baskets that will work in addition to your wall garden. This will allow you to grow taller plants and still hang pots on the balcony railing. It will also allow you to have some exposed plant areas during the hotter months of the year.
Choose hardy, sturdy plants that you can bring indoors during the colder months. You will want to plant hardy plants that can handle cold climate. Hardy plants mean plants that can handle cold climate. Some examples of hardy plants are red peppers, tobacco plant, tobacco, and scallions. Be sure you check with the Department of Education to ensure that your chosen plants are certified for cold climates.
Many people choose plants that grow naturally with other plants when they place a wall garden above their patio. This will allow you to get more from your wall than you would with a raised bed. It also gives you more privacy when you are in your home as well.
When choosing an attractive centerpiece for your wall garden, be careful what you put into it. Many people will choose flowers that are not native to their area or have never been seen outside. Do you really want an English Ivy in your wall garden? While beautiful, this particular plant can be very dangerous if it grows to be too big. If you are not sure if your chosen plant would be harmful you should consult a professional garden designer.
If you are going to use a plant stand then be sure that the stand matches the plant you chose. A great plant stand would be a container of red roses. However, if you choose containers of red tulips or black eye peas, then the plant stand should not match those plants. It should complement them instead.
You should consider placing wall garden furniture along the wall as well. Many wall furnishings come in coordinating colors and patterns that will go with your plants and other decorative elements. Your balcony is an extension of your home and a place to bring friends and family members for entertaining, so make sure you give it the attention it deserves.