Beginning Gardening Vegetbale Gardening Guide.

If you live in the city and you have a little roof or balcony area to work with, you may be able to plant and grow a garden. Designing landscaping ideas for places like these generally has to address the obstacles of constant severe winds and scorching heat from direct sun. However, with the right planning and planting ideas, you can make a screen to block out a lot of the wind and create a little shade to give protection from the piercing rays of the sun.

The first essential in planning such a garden is to research the construction of the building. Find out what materials the roof or balcony is made of and how it is put together. Balconies and roofs can have very little space and if they’re required hold furniture, decor, and heavy potted plants, they should be able to hold a descent bit of weight. If you are building a small garden on a roof, the roof must be made of waterproof material so that leaks do not occur, and there must be a good drainage system to carry away excess water. if it is going to be easily accessed and enjoyed, there should be a safe way to get to the roof or balcony garden.

It’s probable that there will be utility poles and wire in and around the area of your roof top garden. These can easily be camoflaged by planting the right types of plants in the right places. Taller plants in larger containers can also create a screen to block out neighboring views while smaller containers filled with flowers will add some more visual element. Roof top gardens are the same as any small garden designs, patio design, and courtyards, in the sense that you should try not to crowd the small amount of space that you have. Be sure to plan for a little seating room where you can sit back and enjoy any views that can be saved framed rather than completely hidden from view.

It’s often preferable to use long lightweight planters rather than using a lot of small pots as it will spread the load out over more area more evenly. It’s a good idea to also add water absorbing crystals into your planting medium. This can help lessen your plants daily watering as they hold water until plants need it and it all doesn’t just evaporate. If the roof is unable to hold much weight, you may also consider watering with hydroponics. And since hydroponically grown plants only need liquid and a light base, the pots and plants don’t weigh as much as pots full of soil.

You may also consider raising a small worm colony in your balcony or roof garden. This can produce some rich organic soil for your plants while also cutting back on your garbage and waste.

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Technorati Tags: balcony, garden, gardening, landscaping, landscaping ideas, roof gardens, small gardens

Posted under Vegetable Garden Plans

Does your balcony need a new image? Try potted herbs! Having your herbs in pots makes it a cinch because you can move them around (as you figure out the amount of sun your balcony gets). Their portability also helps for bringing your herb plants indoors at the end of the growing season—you do not want to leave your herbs on the balcony all winter.

Balconies are all about natural light and you will want to go with herbs like morning glories that grow well with a lot of sun. Morning glories are fantastic because they can handle the bright reflection from your windows and also all the heat that a metal balcony can generate. Observe the amount and type of natural light, heat and intensity on your balcony during a regular day. You will also want to know which way your balcony is facing—will you get more morning or afternoon sun?

A good rule of thumb for balcony herbs would include any plant with a thick leaf or a velvety texture as well as any plant that is gray or silver. They will do well because they lose less water in evaporation.

Try a few of these great herbs on your balcony:

• Aloe vera: Aloe vera is an easy herb to grow. It doesn’t need much water and it tolerates a lot of sun and heat. It is also very helpful for burns, just clip a small piece off and rub it on the burn. It’s sticky, but you’ll feel better in no time!

• Cayenne pepper: If you grill out on your balcony, imagine being able to break off a pieces of cayenne pepper to add to your next meal. This herb should do very well on your balcony and add some color too.

• Cucumber: A trailing vine, like a cucumber, will provide an added touch to your balcony. Cucumbers are wonderful for facials, ladies. You can also grab a few cucumbers to slice for your salads, straight from the balcony!

• Hens-and-chicks: These are among my very favorite plants. Because they are succulents, they can hold water very well (less watering for you) and they will handle the bright sun and hot temperatures you may have on your balcony. They are adorable to look at too!

• Lavender: Because lavender is a fragrant plant, you will be able to breathe in the soothing smell of lavender when you put it on your balcony. It is also a beautiful plant that provides a nice pop of color.

You can select a few nice-sized pots to put on your balcony or use a hanging balcony basket that has an inside layer from a coconut liner. I once made my own balcony basket with chicken wire and moss. It was my first attempt at something like that. That basket was not the best thing since sliced bread, but it was functional. It will work better if you carefully consider the drainage when you are buying your basket or container.

Good luck with your herb gardening. Be sure to let me know how your herb garden grows.

Here is more information on Windowsill Herb Garden. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Herb Gardens.

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Technorati Tags: balcony, gardening, growing herbs on balcony, outside, Website Information, windowsill herb garden

Posted under Herb Garden Design