Looking out over an uninspiring concrete balcony, a sad stamp-sized courtyard or a barren rooftop? Use these simple tips to transform your outdoor urban space into a spectacular oasis. Green thumbs are a bonus, but definitely not required.
By Irene de Vette
0/13
Living
Pint-Sized Plots: Green Up Your Urban Space.
Sowing Success
Sowing Success – It all starts, of course, by planting some seeds. This beautifully designed heirloom seed kit contains arugula, purple basil, lemon mint and thyme, which can be planted in biodegradable folded paper pots. The set comes with growing instructions and some original harvest recipes. Easy peasy! srainwater.com
1/13
Living
Pint-Sized Plots: Green Up Your Urban Space.
Know Your Space
Know Your Space – You can crowd your quarters with the most gorgeous plants, only to find them withered and sad a few weeks later. So, before you visit the garden centre, think about the position of your apartment and the amount of direct or indirect sunlight it gets. Choose plants like bleeding hearts, primroses or fuchsias for shady plots, whereas cherry tomatoes, petunias or daisies thrive with lots of sunlight.
2/13
Living
Pint-Sized Plots: Green Up Your Urban Space.
Set And Forget
Set And Forget – For busy types who still want to enjoy some greenery, the Glowpear Mini is ideal. It’s a compact ‘set-and-forget’ self-watering planter that you can place on your kitchen counter, mount on a wall or hang over a balustrade. The planter is specifically designed for growing produce, so just sit back and wait for your own tomatoes, basil and lettuce to materialise. thegadgetflow.com
3/13
Living
Pint-Sized Plots: Green Up Your Urban Space.
Pot it up
Pot it up – Plain terracotta planters? Boring! Cheer up your space by planting flowers and herbs in (vintage) tin cans, old sneakers, boots, tires or any other container you can think of. Just make sure your creative planters have a few holes in the bottom for drainage. simplebites.net[Photos: Stephan Leijon/Memphis CVB/Flickr]
4/13
Living
Pint-Sized Plots: Green Up Your Urban Space.
Go Vertical
Go Vertical – High rises are a city’s answer to a lack of space, and going vertical is the best solution for cramped city balconies, too. Use one of these plant ‘bags’ or buy a simple vertical plant stand. Crafty types can make their own. [Photo: Ruth Hartnup/Flickr]
5/13
Living
Pint-Sized Plots: Green Up Your Urban Space.
Lanna Garden Screen
Lanna Garden Screen – Another cool-looking vertical is this Lanna Garden Screen, inspired by the cityscape of Thailand’s Chiang Mai. A galvanised mesh gabion filled with river pebbles forms the base, and will absorb any excess water from the pots. fancy.com
6/13
Living
Pint-Sized Plots: Green Up Your Urban Space.
Hang Tight
Hang Tight – Create depth and interest by layering: fix a vertical planter to a back wall, set planters of different heights and levels on the floor in front of it, and place eye-catching hanging planters in the foreground. These are ideal for flora that need more direct sunlight. [Photo left: food52.com; middle: notonthehighstreet.com; right: etsy.com]
7/13
Living
Pint-Sized Plots: Green Up Your Urban Space.
Plant a Bar
Plant-A-Bar Outdoor Planter Bar – Who needs a balcony when you can have your own outdoor bar, made entirely out of reclaimed wood? Invite some friends over and show off your cocktail-shaking skills, while occasionally throwing in a few fresh sprigs of homegrown herbs. gardeners.com[Photo Courtesy of Gardener’s Supply Co.]
8/13
Living
Pint-Sized Plots: Green Up Your Urban Space.
Fool The Eye
Fool The Eye – The Ancient Romans already used trompe l’oeil (‘fool the eye’) techniques to create vistas of a garden or landscape. With this method you can make your space look larger, or create an interesting texture on a bland concrete wall. Decorate with a panel like this polyester one from Scenolia, or, if your artistic side is calling, with your own artwork.
9/13
Living
Pint-Sized Plots: Green Up Your Urban Space.
A Splash Of Colour
A Splash Of Colour – Before your flowers start to bloom, add some couleur to your balcony with these classic bistro folding chairs and table. They create an instant holiday mood, even on gloomier summer days. fermob.com
10/13
Living
Pint-Sized Plots: Green Up Your Urban Space.
Shine A Light
Shine A Light – If you want to enjoy your green refuge at night as well, you’ll need adequate lighting. No plug points are required with these inflatable SolarPuff LED lanterns. Not only do they look cute, they’re environmentally friendly, too. With your purchase you even support a great cause: providing light to those in need. fancy.com
11/13
Living
Pint-Sized Plots: Green Up Your Urban Space.
Bug Off!
Bug Off! – Nothing is as annoying as tiny creatures buzzing around your head while you’re trying to enjoy a glass of rosé in peace. This solar-powered UV bug zapper & LED garden lamp will light up your face as it attracts and entraps flies, mosquitoes and other flying insects. thegadgetflow.com
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