Spring is in full swing, and if you haven’t started already, now is a great time to plan your garden. Yes, you can have a garden, even in your Houston apartment! You already know how easy it is to start growing all kinds of houseplants,whether you live in a small student apartment or a luxury apartment. If you have a balcony or patio, you can go one step further, and create a full garden in your own home. The web is full of great resources about gardening on balconies and patios. Here are a few basics to get you started, with links to more in-depth resources.
Plan ahead.
Gardening in such a small and specific space requires careful planning. You’ll need to know what you like, how you want it to look, how to fit your planters into your limited space, and what will grow well, both in Houston’s climate and on your specific balcony or patio. Instead of just looking at floor space, think about vertical gardening, planning where more plants can hang, and how you’d like them to affect your privacy and your view.
Learn what grows well in your space.
The key to a successful patio or balcony garden is knowing what will work with the space you have. Keep your unique situation in mind when you plan your garden. What kind of space do you have? Consider how much light gets to your growing space. Do you need plants that enjoy full sun, or those that do better in the shade? How often are you willing to water your garden? Keep Houston’s climate in mind, too, and choose plants that will stand up well to our summer heat.
Decide what you’d like to grow.
What kinds of plants bring you joy? If you’re interested in growing your own fresh, organic food, know that it is possible to grow a very productive vegetable garden on a balcony or patio. If flowers are more your style, consider whether you’d like to keep your flowers outside, or plan a cutting garden so you can bring bouquets indoors, as well.
