Balcony garden help

HI guys

I attach a pic of my balcony yes small but has a south facing side that I want to transform, The wall as you can see is a cement wall and I want to transform the rail on top, how can I attach planters safely also do you recommend a trellis for the wall? My landlord doesnt want anything to damage the brick can you recommend plants for this?

 

Hi Spark. As I See It You Are Limited to what you can do ,but we have to make the best of what space we have. (first) Railing Brackets.there are plenty of shapes and sizes on the market. Rectangular, Round, Square .Personally with your restricted space i would go for the square with the arms that hook over the Balcony Railings(which can be adjusted for a safe fit). You could fit the whole Balcony with Railing Brackets and square containers which would not obstruct your movement on the Balcony and leave some space for some pots..
As Regards to plants for the pots ( BLUE MARGUERITE) not hardy, so collect seeds or take cuttings. (GAZANIA) These daisy like flowers open and close with the sun. LILIUM "CONNECTICUS KING " Which is a lily that grows well in pots ".
Lastly, I would not Recommend drilling holes in your Landlords Wall :WINK1:.
As he may get a wee bit Annoyed.See on line PLOW+HEARTH or ABOUCHON HARDWARE for fittings. Have Fun .

 

Have a search for Rosa's threads. She's made her balcony into something that wouldn't look out of place at Chelsea.

 

http://gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/container-gardening/10582-rosas-balcony-2009-a.html
Here's a link to one of Rosa's threads or type Rosa's balcony into the search box.
I'm sure you'll get plenty of ideas and inspiration from there.

 

thanks guys!

 

Also do you know where I can get these rail brackets for cheap, I've seen some and they are expensive, ay shops that do them?

 

You could try B&Q or garden centres of that ilk .

 

Hi Spark,
generally the first thing that springs to mind about balconies and pots is the safety issue, because you don't want a pot falling on somebodys head.

Here is a link of an article which is not just about balconies but it tells you quite a lot about them here and there in the article. (original version in Italian, but I have simply clicked "translate" before opening the result page, so you see it in English)

http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=it&u=http://www.compagniadelgiardinaggio.it/coltivare-in-vaso-scelta&ei=pMRUTt_UOYnxsgaXs-nwDw&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCAQ7gEwAA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dpiante%2Badatte%2Bda%2Bbalcone%2Bcompagnia%2Bdel%2Bgiardinaggio%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1W1ADFA_en%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D520%26prmd%3Divns

 

Deck Rail Planters

Saddle tank planters that sit astride the wall

Our council place flowers everywhere around the town astride walls and railings
similar to these but in Black and a bit deeper each side
Filled with compost they are heavy enough not to move or be knocked over killing someone thirty feet below :-)

Our town is beautiful with flowers, it was struggling to keep it up in the present economic climate
THEN DING THE IDEA

Each business in the town sponsors to a certain amount
The big sponsors sponsor a ROUND A BOUT Fully planted up with a large signage sponsored by GLENROTHES GLASS FIBRE, or sponsord by BRAND REX down to small railing boxes sponsored by BILLS HAIR DRESSERS

Good in the face advertising, very bonny, and reasonable cost, the business pays for the flowers from the Council nursery, the council provide the labour

Seems to be a winner all round US the community, the council and the Sponsor

Jack McHammocklashing

 

Hi

I got a couple of holder and trough sets from here Planters - Wall, Balcony - Adjustable Balcony Hanger - Fence Holder - Trough Brackets - Wall Trough Holder - Unusual Planter - Cast Aluminium Hayrack - Garden Products - Garden Xtras. Put begonias in there and they've done really well.

Chi