By Pratik Balasaria

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Every homeowner would love to have a home filled with plants. But a full fledged garden can be hard to maintain. A balcony garden is a simple and easy alternative to jazz up flats. All you need to start a balcony garden in an apartment is access to a balcony, rooftop, terrace or patio. You can grow whatever you desire in your balcony garden like vegetables, herbs, flowers and even vines. Start small, and add on more plants as your balcony garden thrives. A beautiful patch of pots with green plants and flowers is sure to make any space shine. No matter how small or big the apartments are.

In this article, we will share some ideas to get you started on your very own balcony garden. We have also listed some common mistakes that homeowners make when getting started with this journey. Avoiding these few simple things will ensure that your balcony garden blooms. As most of us are staying at home during the pandemic, it is also a great stress buster. Gardening is proven to be a great hobby for those looking to destress or take a break from their routines.

Things to consider before starting a balcony garden

Before you begin transforming the space in your homes in Kolkata, here are a few things to consider.

Decide on a budget
Put aside a certain amount every month that you will be able to spend on maintaining your balcony garden. This will help you decide what kind of plants to buy. The good news is that a it does not need a lot of money to set up. Even if you have a very small budget, you can build a beautiful space in apartments at Kolkata.
Think of how much sunlight your balcony garden will receive
An important factor to consider is the amount of sunlight that your space will receive. For your plants to grow well, some amount of sunshine is essential. Similarly some plants perform better in a balcony garden with more shade. Think about the amount of sunshine or shade your apartments in Kolkata receives during the summer and winter months. Then choose the plants you will keep accordingly.
What time of day do you want to use your balcony garden
If you would like to use this space during the day that will need a different kind of set up. Apartments in Kolkata that receive a lot of sunshine may need some kind of shade or a covering. If you plan to use it during the evening or night, you may need some fairy lights or warm lighting to light up the space.
Will the balcony garden double up as a entertainment space in apartments
If you want an informal space to entertain guests in the evenings, a balcony garden can double up as one. Adding some patio furniture and fairy lights can really add some pizzazz to homes.
Can the balcony or terrace bear the weight of the plants
Ensure that your terrace can bear the weight of the soil and planters before starting this process. The apartments should be constructed with load bearing floors to bear the weight of the plants that will be a part of your balcony garden.

How to start a balcony garden

Once you have ensured these few basic aspects, you are ready to start your very own balcony garden! You can envision as beautiful a space as your imagination, depending on the space you have in the apartments in Kolkata. It can range from a few railing baskets or wall to wall balcony gardens. Let your mind soar, and explore all the different possibilities that a balcony garden offers. There are also many professionals who can assist you in your journey if you are unsure of where to begin. Once you have factored the sunshine your space receives and the weight limit, you start planning your garden.

Scour the internet for inspiration
Design your balcony scape by looking at the different ideas on the internet and Pinterest. You can be as creative as the space in the apartments in Kolkata allow. You can have a herb garden or a kitchen garden to grow some produce. Incorporate different kinds of plants to give your balcony garden a well rounded approach.
Choose the containers
Based on the kind of aesthetic you have in your mind for your home, you can choose the pots for your balcony garden. Also consider the plants that you will be growing and the kind of space they will need. Smaller pots will work better for herbs and vertical gardens.
Decide how you will be watering the plants
Depending on the space in which you will be keeping your plants, you can decide how you will be watering them. Consider drip irrigation or buying large water cans. If water will drip below onto your neighbours home, put saucers or trays to collect the overflow.
Regularly care for your balcony garden
Maintaining a small garden is essential to make sure they are well taken care of. Water them regularly and buy fertilisers and good quality soil.

Mistakes to avoid in your balcony garden

Starting a balcony garden without taking the time to make a proper plan
Choosing the wrong plants for the climate and balcony space
Over watering or excessive water can rot the roots
Not watering your plants enough may cause them to dry up
Choosing the wrong planters or pots for your plants
Skipping good quality potting soil for your plants
Not fertilising your plants
Maintaining your plants regularly rarely
Not inspecting your plants for weeds and harmful insects.

Balcony Gardens are a bliss

With a little bit of maintenance and care, you can have a beautiful balcony garden in any of the apartments in Kolkata. We hope this post gave you the inspiration to get started on your gardening journey. For more guides on home decor and inspiration do check out our other posts.