Big city living can often times mean small spaces for gardens. From windows to rooftops, here are four ways to cultivate whatever small garden space you have available.
Apartment Garden Idea 1) Balcony Garden
While you may not have a sprawling lawn to landscape, a balcony can be a great place to enjoy gardening while living in an apartment. A simple arrangement of colorful potted plants can bring a little green to city living.
Look for plants that thrive in partial shade, as the floor your apartment is located on may determine the amount of shade your plants receive throughout the day. Opt for plants that don’t require a lot of moisture, as without a garden hose or sprinkler system, it will be difficult to maintain highly saturated soil.
Luckily there is a large variety of beautiful flowers and shrubs that do very well in balcony gardens. Add some decorative planters that match your apartment décor for a seamless transformation of a simple balcony into a flourishing outdoor room.
Apartment Garden Idea 2) Indoor Herb Garden
If your apartment doesn’t have the option for a balcony garden, an indoor herb garden can be a nice way to bring the art of gardening inside. Herbs make great indoor plants: they can grow in small containers, they are fragrant, and are easy to keep.
A small set of pretty clay pots planted with your favorite herbs provides a beautiful and functional décor element to a kitchen or breakfast nook. Conveniently, many gardening centers and home improvement stores carry herb garden kits that come with the seeds and decorative containers.
Apartment Garden Idea 3) Community Gardens
If you are looking to get out of the apartment to stretch and plant, look for the option of a community garden. Many apartment complexes in urban areas have access to a shared community garden that is divided into several small areas.
This is a great choice for those who want the option to plant in a traditional garden bed rather than be confined to free-standing planters. It also gives you the ability to grow larger plants that would otherwise not be suitable for either a balcony or a rooftop garden.
Apartment Garden Idea 4) Rooftop Garden
The rooftop is the “penthouse” of apartment gardens: they get maximum exposure and rock star parties with pigeons. Ok, maybe the roof isn’t that glamorous, but they do have the luxury of becoming your own relaxing plant oasis.
Because of the increased sun exposure, choose plants that need maximum light and little moisture control. You will also need to look for plants that will thrive in large planters due to the unavailability of regular flower beds.
A comfortable deck chair can be the perfect furniture piece for this apartment garden. It provides a place for you to sit back, surround yourself with beautiful plants, and enjoy the high life of apartment gardening!
