Gaby
A balcony can become a surprisingly lush retreat when you plant climbers and flowering pots. Caring for that little garden is straightforward. Grow the plants in boxes on the balcony. The ideal dimensions for these boxes are about 3 feet long, 10 inches wide, and 9 inches high. Make them from dry boards about 0.8 inches thick, sand the outside, and paint them with green, brown, or gray oil-based paint. Drill a few holes in the bottom of each box to let excess water drain.
You can set the boxes on the balcony floor, but elevate each one on three cross slats so it doesn’t sit directly on the floor. If a box sits on the outer side of the balcony, fasten it securely to the railing with thick wire.
Fill the boxes with loose, nutrient-rich garden soil. Mix in well-rotted horse manure or leaf mold. If the soil is very clayey, add coarse sand equal to about a quarter of the total volume. Add peat moss to improve structure and nutrients.
Water the boxes thoroughly until water drains out. Wait 2–3 days for the soil to settle, then start sowing or planting.
Flowering plants can be set out as small seedlings (with a few leaves), larger saplings, or mature plants (with buds or flowers). To plant: make a hole with a stick. Hold the plant in your left hand, lower the roots into the hole without curling them upward, and cover the roots with soil. Press the soil around the plant firmly with your fingers. Water newly planted seedlings well and shade them from direct sun with newspapers until they begin to grow.
Many plants can be sown directly into the box soil. Level the soil surface. Use a stick to make furrows or individual holes at the desired depth. Sow seeds sparsely; for larger seeds like peas or beans, plant a few seeds per hole. Avoid overcrowding, which causes seed loss and weak growth.
When filling the boxes, place trailing plants in the front row, taller plants in the middle row, and climbing plants in the back row.
Plan how you’ll decorate the balcony before you start. On south-, southeast-, or southwest-facing balconies you can build a cozy gazebo of climbing annuals or perennials to provide shade. North-facing balconies work better with upright and hanging plants. For the gazebo, construct a frame from narrow slats or pipes. Let the design depend on the materials you have, but make sure the frame is lightweight and sturdy. Attach the frame to the balcony and paint it with green oil-based paint.
To make the gazebo green quickly, surround it with fast-growing annual climbers such as decorative beans. These can reach up to 13 feet, grow rapidly, and bloom in early summer with clusters of mostly red flowers. Sow the beans directly in the soil in early May, spacing them 4–5 inches apart and planting the seeds 1–1.5 inches deep. Soak the seeds in water for a day before sowing and place two seeds in each hole.
Sweet peas can reach 6–8 feet with proper care. Plant them in fertile, loose soil and water and feed them frequently. Lightly sprinkle wood ash for extra nutrients. Plant sweet peas in a sunny spot. For more abundant and longer blooming, remove faded flowers and prevent pods from forming. Sow sweet peas in late April or early May directly into the soil, spacing seeds 3–4 inches apart and planting them 1–1.5 inches deep after soaking the seeds a day beforehand. Place two seeds in each hole.
Most houseplants also work well on a balcony.
Avoid keeping houseplants in regular clay pots out in the sun; the soil in clay pots can overheat and dry out quickly. If a plant is in a small pot, bury the pot in a box filled with soil. Embed the pot firmly in the soil so there are no gaps underneath. For larger pots, use a larger barrel or box: fill the bottom with soil, set the pot inside, and surround it with soil up to the top.
