Turn a balcony into a garden? Easy!!
Well almost. All you have to do is determine what you want your garden to look like. Do you want flowers only? Plants you can bring in in the winter? Hiding from the neighbor's balcony? Make a harvest of lettuces, radishes and tomatoes?
You can also let your imagination wander and thus plant purchases made on one of the many markets or exhibitions-sales that flourish in all the municipalities of France.
The type of plants, the varieties chosen will be decisive for the first choice of container. You can imagine that a dwarf cherry tree (yes you can have cherries on your balcony!) needs a larger container than a tray of petunias.
Annuals, perennials, shrubs, all need sufficient soil volume and perfect drainage. Nothing can evolve favorably if we do not respect the triptych "water, air, food"
As for water, you will know how to bring it on demand. Food is best when it is said to be "bottom" using organic fertilizers. The air can only be renewed if the drainage of the pot is substantial, a bed of gravel or clay pebbles will do the trick. Last important point, the choice of soil. Avoid cheap potting soils that are made up of a majority of peat, which settle during the season. In fact, they are sometimes the cause of root asphyxia. Une my poor nourishment of the plant which can go as far as its loss.
You have the containers, the drainage, the right soil, just put the plants! This is when your artistic sense takes off. You play with shapes, colors, smells and your vegetal paradise is just waiting for the company of your deck chair.
If you want more advice on transforming a balcony or terrace into a garden, you can ask your questions in the comments. But also wait for my next posts on the subject or have a look at "plants and city gardens".
