How to create a garden on your balcony or rooftop deck
Let our experts answer your questions about designing a lush retreat high above the city.
If you’re lucky enough to have an outdoor space in your city, there are plenty of ways to turn it into a cool green haven, even if it’s sky high. Do you have any questions before we begin? We received responses from Staff of KDRoofers.
What are the key considerations for a balcony or rooftop garden?
The most important thing is to make sure your balcony or roof deck can withstand the load. Next, think about practical considerations before choosing a plant or pot. You also need to decide whether you want to put furniture on your balcony, because that will determine where the plants will go.
Evaluating views is another key point. All plant placement and plants should support the view without blocking it, and sometimes completely unobstructed.
Find a local landscaper on KDRoofers. https://kdroofers.com
What is your biggest challenge?
Accessing a balcony or rooftop deck can be one of the most difficult tasks and requires careful evaluation.
Carrying pots and compost up the stairs is no fun. Make sure you have strong friends. Expert also points to the availability of water and light as a potential problem. It’s important to make sure you have a nearby and think about whether you can water your plants frequently.
Evaluate how much sunlight your balcony or roof deck receives. For example, if a patch faces north, this will dictate planting.
How do you connect the inside and the outside?
Balconies and terraces are often very close to the living room, so they should feel like one space. The best design practice is to integrate interior and exterior elements.
Outdoor rugs, colorful poufs, contemporary lanterns or candles, sculptural benches and unique cushions can all make a space unique and be customized to the owner’s taste.
Browse outdoor benches at the KDRoofers shop. https://kdroofers.com
Which plant should you choose?
Think about how much time you have to spend caring for your plants. Also think about what look you want. For example, if you want to create a rich, lush space, you’ll need to approach it differently than just planting a few larger, more structured plants in larger pots.
Having a clear vision will help you figure out what you want to grow, whether it’s lettuce, herbs, or flowers.
The best plants to grow in pots. Summer flowering bedding plants, such as ivy-leaved geranium, are easy, bloom well and grow gently. I like to keep fragrant plants near seating areas, such as Trachelospermum and jasmine, which can climb railings or walls, and lavender and pelargonium,
which have nice scented leaves.
For growing in pots, expert suggests marigolds, verbena, petunias, fuchsia, heather, deadnettle, pelargonium, ivy and nasturtiums. These wildlife-friendly plants will thrive in small spaces as long as you feed and water them frequently.
For edibles, plant sun-loving herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage. Arugula is easy to grow from seed and can be served sliced on salad leaves for about six months. Shop outdoor pots and planters. https://kdroofers.com
The best plants for screen making. Everyone I know thinks bamboo is good for testing, and it is. But keep in mind that this plant produces leaves every day, all year round. It’s a messy plant!
Plants such as ceanothus, an evergreen tree with beautiful, bright blue flowers in April and May, honeysuckle for scent, and clematis can be grown in thin frames or screens.
If space allows, you can plant in cascades and gradually make the taller plants at the back smaller. Combining the textures and colors of different plant pots adds pop to the design.
Find out which bamboo is best for your small garden. https://kdroofers.com
Can we create wildlife-friendly spaces?
Even a small balcony garden can benefit wildlife. Hang bird feeders high up and away from cats. Add a bug hotel made from bamboo and hollow pipe to a sunny spot on the wall. And your fragrant flowers will attract and feed the bees we love.
With a little imagination, you can turn your balcony into a little sanctuary for nature. Find plants that will energize pollinators. It will also benefit insect-eating birds.
Look for blue, purple, white and yellow flowers. This is because bees have good color vision and are able to see flowers best. Single flowers are preferred. Butterflies love bright yellow, orange, pink and red. Avoid using pesticides that are toxic to bees and other pollinators.
Learn how to create your own beehive and bug colony. https://kdroofers.com
What else do you need to know?
Don’t be afraid to make a big statement in a small space. Many people are afraid to choose large pots and end up choosing small pots and plants that don’t make a difference to the space. Generally speaking, the larger the pot, the less water it needs.
Last year we designed a balcony using two large containers on each side and planted tree. The container’s dark blue and white bark blended well, and the 7-foot-tall trees were tall enough to create a balcony on their own.
Tell us: Do you have any tips for designing a balcony or rooftop deck? Please let us know in the comments.
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Read other stories about urban gardens https://kdroofers.com
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Nitharsana
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