Apartment gardening

We often make statement like, 'I live in apartment so I have very little scope of gardening."  Actually the little scope challenges us to dig out our own creativity and to give our own best to optimize the potentials. In our apartment, every inch of space is utilised in a planned manner.  We try to fit our desires accordingly.  This applies too for our green (apartment) living concept.  I sincerely feel that without a green touch in our everyday life, life is incomplete and colourless. Wherever we live, in a big individual house or within the limit of some square fits, bringing greenery is a must for our healthy living. If you are with me, follow my way of doing. 

Keeping in mind the philosophy –'small is beautiful', first look at the open spaces and balconies of your apartment, the lay- out of each, facing of each – north/south, east or west.  All these are important and matter – whether your desire will fit here or there.  Also look at the other clauses and associated factors whether the balcony is open to the sky with sufficient sunlight of everyday, or it gets that way partially either during the morning or afternoon.  My observations says, the frontal parts of our balconies are open to sky without hindrances, but most of the second or third bed room with attached balconies are blocked by the next door neighbour's buildings! Sometimes they are very close and almost seem to be poking!  The size and shape of the balconies are also varied in nature. Some are square shaped and some are just narrow stripes of a few feet. With the uniqueness of each space, we need to plan separately. The size of the plants, types and their containers and availability of the natural resources all are linked to each other. Rate of success mostly depends on the rate of synchronisation of all these together. Look at the images I have shared here.  My way of doing is simple and affordable. I give emphasis on my own ability – in terms of time and investment.  Apartment gardening is not planned for life and time to time we need to revise and revamp to relieve us from the monotony. 

With a good plan you can create your personal chunk of happiness- your sanctuary within the four walls of your own. Now try to best utilize the space; do you want the space to please your mind and body? Then go with the balcony that gets most of the sunlight and air and gets the seasonal shower. The balcony that is under the shed of the next building is to be planned differently.  May be some layers of smallpot plants, or nice creepers – like madhobilata or so will be good to create a green curtain between the two close body apartments of both sides. In this little light area, you will have the garden with green leaves and ferns mostly. In your other balcony with  a mix of light and shed, you can combine both -  have some flowering plants as well as fruit bearing plants like lemon of two three types, or have a layer of bogunvellia, or kathgolup (at the first layer-from floor). These are low cost and low maintenance plants. But almost round the year, these plants will make your balcony gleam with colours.  Here you can smartly use the space by placing the  containers at the edge of the balcony  and push the main stem and branches out to the balcony grills  - let them have more sun light, air and the occasional rain drops in their bodies. From time to time just change or upgrade the soil with a small amount of fertiliser. But remember, everyday watering is a must, except those heavy shower rainy days. All these are essentials for the plants to be healthy and produce the desired results and make your balcony colourful and enjoyable. Look at the attached image – it shows how to do it in a simple manner. In this way you can have your own source of supplies like guavas, lemons, or curry leaves for your kitchen. You may also think about small plants – like bonsai or some plants in your used tea pots, kitchen wares!  In addition to these, bath room and kitchen tops are also good places to have some special garden (with limited pieces of plants - like money plants or branches those grow in water).

For decorating your bathroom or kitchen tops, use only water based plants or cactus pots. These grow well in that environment. Please keep in mind that soil based plants in these special spaces will invite insects! Finally, I will encourage you to have a plan first for each of the balcony you have, then start with the required items and supplies. Please remember that your regular attention, routine care and love will ensure the best of yielding!

Please feel free to send me email to share your thoughts, feedback, and photos of your garden, or to tell your story; or ask a question on the garden issue. Email:lifestyleds@yahoo.com

Photo courtesy: Laila Karim