Hello from a newbie

Hi happy gardeners - I have just begun gardening on a small balcony. Haven't got a clue what I'm doing but have had a successful first summer.
Am looking forward to learning from those with much more experience and knowledge.

 

Hi @Deneice - I've never had only a balcony to work with, but I did have a flat which had the tiny front garden - only about 8 feet by about 3 or 4, so I know how hard it can be to work with a small space.

You've done a great job - good luck with everything else you try. You certainly do seem to have a clue, judging by what you've achieved so far

 

Thank you so much for your encouraging words. It means a lot.
Small spaces force you to be creative don't they.

 

Everything has to earn it's keep in a small space- especially when you're seeing it all the time.
Glad you're enjoying it all.

 

'Everything has to earn it's keep' is - very true - quickly learned that one.
My balcony garden has been such medicine for me. I used to spend all my time in nature travelling the world. But am disabled now and this was a way to bring nature to me instead. I can't believe how much joy it has bought me.

 

You've done really well there @Deneice, lots of colour, different shapes and heights. I had a balcony garden when I lived in South East London, it provided a welcome distraction from work and busy surroundings! Welcome.

 

Looks great. You might think of buying some of these large trays with no holes and put in a layer of capillary matting (soak the matting first) to put your smaller plants in to save you watering them regularly and their roots are not in standing water in the saucer. Then of course you do not need to worry about them when you go on holiday.

 

Thank you so much for your welcome and encouragement - much appreciated

 

Great idea - thank you.
I am disabled so the less work the better although as I am housebound for the foreseeable future, holidays aren't an issue. Am working on that!

 

Welcome to GC Deneice. Your balcony looks lovely.

 

Welcome to the forum @Deneice .
Looks great your balcony. I wish I had one while living in town. Sorry to hear that your life has changed what health concerns. I hope your disability now doesn't stop you from keeping the balcony garden nice.
BTW, when you reply to a comment, there is an Edit link under your post which allows you to add a comment under a quote. I'm just mentioning this seeing that you clicked on Quote and added a second comment to comment the quote.

 

Thanks for the welcome and encouragement. What a lovely community this is - I am so glad I found it.
And thank you for the technical info. I haven't got a clue what I'm doing most of the time and my health conditions come with quite severe cognitive dysfunction when I'm in a flare which just adds to the chaos. I need all the help and hints I can get!

 

Hopefully, your balcony garden will help with everything you're struggling with @Deneice .
If you have problems with any plants, it's also worth adding any extra info you can - for instance, if you're at any height, the wind can affect plants every bit as much as lack of water. Balconies are often quite exposed.