Whether you want to grow tomatoes, or wish to start a patch of roses, apartment gardening is one of the simplest ways to have your own backyard garden. In fact, with a few easy steps, you can have the same growth that would take up a good chunk of land in the city. What’s more, you can start working on your own balcony garden and keep a watchful eye over the little plots of land below.

An ebook called How-To Guide to Apartments Gardening is the result of a visit to an apartment complex, and a consultation with neighbors. While it may be a bit dated, the book makes a strong case for apartment gardening.

A kitchen, lounge, and dining room can easily provide the space needed for an apartment garden. Take the cooking utensils and appliances out of the picture. These are items you can take care of for the rest of the household, and, when you’re looking to add to your living space, you will appreciate the savings.

And the landscaping? Leave the yard or lawn area alone. The apartment garden is built around the plants and shrubs you choose. If you’ve got the necessary skill, you can even design and create an irrigation system to manage the watering.

Creating a balcony garden is as simple as laying out a row of hanging containers, or something similar. Make sure they are all the same size, so you don’t have an accumulation of cardboard or excess plant material in the middle of your back yard. You can use pre-made containers, or just pick one up from your local garden store. They should all be sized for hanging, not to mention all the hanging space above them.

Don’t forget to vary the height of the plants, and try to keep them all at different heights from the ground. But before you do, be sure the container isn’t too short or too tall. The plants need sunlight, but the plant’s roots won’t be able to hang from the container.

Once you’ve established the plants, what do you do with them? Well, since the balconies aren’t often accessed, don’t allow people to grow their own vegetables on the balcony. You don’t want to allow them to get into the fragile soil of the balconies.

The balcony garden might be limited in time, so the best option might be to keep the plants growing during the colder months. Plant climbing plants, perennials, and small trees that are frost tolerant.

After the first year, you’ll be well on your way to having a successful effort. The next year, continue to add to the plants, and use some of the existing plants in ways that they weren’t intended for.

Another benefit of apartment gardening is that there is often less traffic in urban apartments. With a few exceptions, there is no traffic, yet you can enjoy the comfort of the balcony. Not to mention the added room you get from the space you save.

Keep in mind, though, that while your apartment may be “certified-certified” for building owners, your neighbors are still neighbors, and you’re still breaking the law by starting your own gardening endeavor. Better consult with the landlord first, or enlist the help of the residents.

Balcony gardening may seem daunting at first, but it can be done successfully. It all starts with you.