How to Start A Balcony Garden

Condos like The Oriana in Quezon City offer everything you need to live a fulfilling life, from unique amenities to excellent accessibility. One thing left on your wishlist is, perhaps, a backyard where you can grow vegetables, flowers, and fruits. 

But if you’ve got a passion for gardening, worry not! A balcony is all you need to start your very own lush, green escape. Read on to find out how you can exercise your green thumb and grow a lush landscape from the comfort of your own balcony.

Check if your building allows it

Before you can even think about starting your balcony garden, you’ll need to make sure you won’t be breaking any rules. Ask your building’s property management staff or check the condo rules to see if you can proceed without any problem. 

Assess the space

Once you’ve received the signal to continue, it’s time to check whether your balcony has the right environment for your plants to thrive. Check to see how much sunlight the space receives and how much available room you have to work with. 

Most units in a condo like The Oriana have plenty of balcony space for you to experiment with. Other units may have limited space, thus requiring you to choose smaller plants. 

Some plants can grow in shaded areas, while others need a constant stream of sunlight. It’s important to know which ones will flourish given how much sunlight your balcony receives.

Choose what you’d like to plant

It’s time to choose what plants you want to cultivate. Keep it simple and choose highly resilient and low-maintenance plants, especially if you’re doing this for the first time. 

Some examples of undemanding vegetables, flowers, and herbs to consider growing include parsley, green beans, petunia, lavender, and peppers. 

As mentioned in the previous tip, don’t forget to consider how much sunlight your balcony receives and what your local climate is. That way, you’ll be able to choose the plant that can best thrive under those specific conditions.

Plan your set-up

The next thing to do is select what kind of container your plants will call home. Pots are the most common type of container that gardeners use since they are lightweight, provide excellent drainage, and are relatively sturdy. 

For larger plants, try a planter box, a raised rectangular box that offers more space and helps you avoid bending over too often. There are also window boxes and hanging planters, which are excellent options if you’re concerned about maximizing space. 

Protect your plants from the elements

Rain, strong winds, birds, pests, and other wildlife may damage your plants if you haven’t safeguarded them properly. Make sure to deter creatures from your garden with tools like fences, chicken wire, and plant covers. Shade cloth, wire trellises, wet cloth, and waterproof insulation material are excellent options for fighting against the elements.

With these tips in mind, it’s now time to put that green thumb to work and cultivate your balcony garden in your The Oriana condo unit.