HOW TO SETUP BALCONY GARDEN
BALCONY GARDEN FLOORING
To, Start setting up Balcony Garden We always need to take the consideration for the flooring of our Balcony garden, as its paramount point to enhancement the space. Again it also depends upon your budget as well. The very basic element is artificial turf and its suggestable for any kind of balcony. Artificial turf comes in different density, and for the balcony garden we suggest to opt for 40MM thick turf. The another confusion we have in the mind while taking decision and going ahead with turf, is what about water logged and cleaning of the grass?
And, yes the doubt is also correct. During rain the water will log and it will take a full sunny day to dry it out. Also if you wan to clean the turf with water then same problem will come. So, we recommend the separate drain cell to install below the grass. The most pleasing result you will get off the natural lawn feeling, while walking on this fake grass with drain cell.
Most importantly, you need to consider the wastage of artificial turf before buying, as in Indian market the turf available in the width of 6’6″ of any length. So calculate your wastage accordingly always. In same way the drain cell also comes with fixed size, so we suggest you to work on calculations before ordering them.
Another budget friendly option for your Balcony Garden Setup flooring is to opt for WPC Deck Tiles. WPC stands for wood-composite-plastic. This tiles are interlocked with each other its very easy to install yourself. As its made of WPC material it is totally outdoor and waterproof which will give a luxury look to your balcony.
Yes but the self life of these tiles are not more than 5Yrs, as it will start fading the color because of sunlight and water. Yes, but if you are installing these tiles in such balcony where sunlight is minimum, so the self life can be double of these tiles.
You also need to be aware of good brand as the wpc tiles market is very clutter and duplicate material is also available in Indian market.
If, you have a decent budget to invest on the Balcony Flooring , the premium IPE Tiles are the best option, as its look pure wood and the self life is more than 25Yrs. The IPE it the Brazilian wood, not Indian and the genuine company are offering this wood in Indian market. The another point you need to aware that many companies are mixing few tiles in the seal box with local acacia wood which look similar to IPE. So always prefer to buy from good brand. This tiles size is 1X1 Ft which comes with self drain cell and interlock system, so that it is very easy to install yourself. Care- You need to polish the tiles in every year once to get sine always and increase the life of the tiles.
This is the fantastic option for making your Balcony Garden super premium and lavis.
Combination of Turf and Tiles – Design as you wish
PLANTERS FOR BALCONY GARDEN
For setting up Balcony Garden the planters are the basic need for aby Balcony garden to make green and natural. But how to select the right planter for your Balcony garden ? Yes this is the big question and I believed there are not much details on internet as well. Do not worry, we will guide you with our ground level experience.
Normally 4 kind of planter in different size available in Indian market.
- Plastic Planters
- Terracotta Planters
- FRP – (Fiber resistant Plastic) Planters
- Cement Planters
- Now the question is what will be the best planter for the good and healthy life of your plants? Plastic Planters are not suggested for Balcony Garden, as during summer it will get heat fast and this will change your soil to sand faster & in winter the moisture will be great in plastic planter so that the fungus will be more during winter. Outside temperature will be absorbed by these plastic planter immediately and the soil temperature will change along, which plant may not be able to adjust and die or stop growing or stop giving flowers. It all because it is just not breathable for the soil. So avoid using plastic planters for your Balcony Garden. View more details on this Click here >>
The next option you have for your Balcony Garden is terracotta planters. Yes is it good for the plant health and it will help you keep your garden organic as well. The only drawback with these terracotta planter is the elegy will attack soon , so you may need to clean them regularly or can keep them painted with choice of colors.
Now days, Terracotta planters are available in various shape and design, so do not bring your mind to the old days where only single shape and few height was available. You can shop these now days on amazon as well.
The Best on all the FRP Planter for the Balcony Garden, Benefit of FRP Planters are, like – Light Weight , Vibrant color options, Good for soil health and natural growth of Plant, Looks premium, Self Life is more than 5yrs, and zero maintenance.
So, we recommend to go ahead with FRP Planter without having 2nd thought in mind for your beautiful Balcony Garden.
Another option for Balcony Garden Planter is made of cement or Concreate Planter. Yes this planter is also best suit for Plant growth and beathing of soil, You can opt this, only drawback with this planter is there color fading and over the time corners/edges will break easily, and you need to replace them again. However its a good choice for Balcony Garden, if you require basic set up for your Balcony Garden.
SOIL PREPRATATION FOR BALCONY GARDEN
- – Red/Balck Soil – 60%
- – Cocopeat – 20%
- – Vermicompost – 20%
BALCONY GARDEN – WALL DECORATATION
The first choices for wall decor in urban apartments balconies should be always Natural Vertical garden. Now the question is how to set up this to your Balcony garden ?
Here is the suggestion for this:
Step 1: Select a Wall
You can choose a wall in your home that you want to cover up or beautify. This can be a balcony wall or one that receives enough sunlight. Make sure that the wall you select has all the suitable conditions required for proper plant growth. You can purchase specific plants that grow well in your selected spot.
Step 2: Create the Frame
The wall setup of your vertical garden is usually a three-layer sandwich of the frame, plastic sheeting, and fabric. Experts suggest using a PVC pipe to build the basic structure of the frame. Plastic is considered to be a better option compared to metal or wood frames as they are susceptible to changes in the external environment and may rot when exposed to moisture. You can build the frame on the wall itself or you can create a frame that can be hanged on the wall. Many gardeners prefer the latter as this way they can easily remove and re-fix the frame as and when the need arises.
Step 3: Attach a Plastic Sheet
After you create the frame, you must attach a plastic sheet over it. This is a very important step as the plastic will act as a barrier between the fabric (the third layer) and the wall. As the fabric will have high moisture content, the plastic sheet will prevent water from creating fungus or mold on the wall.
Step 4: Attach Two Layers of Fabric
The final layer you need to attach is the fabric that will hold the water required for your plants to grow. Experts suggest using felt carpet padding or other fabric materials that can retain water well and not rot easily.
You must use two layers of fabric to ensure durability and to create a pouch for your plants. The fabric must be stretched and then stapled onto the frame with stainless steel staples or galvanized screws. The fabric should not have any wrinkles or folds and must be stretched well till it is taut.
Step 5: Add the Irrigation System
The irrigation system will provide the water necessary for your plants to grow. You can create a system using poly tubing and fittings that lock. The tube can be placed across the top of the frame and the water will drip through the emitters on the tube. If you are having trouble setting up the system, you can get a system from Greenova. Once the frame is set you can attach it to the wall using rust-proof hardware.
Step 6: Add Fertilizer and Connect Irrigation System to Water Source
Fertilization is extremely important. You can attach a liquid fertilizer injector to the valve of the irrigation system. You can also use a water filter to keep the water free of dust and other particles that might create a block in the system. The irrigation system must then be connected to the water source. Water dripping to the ground is inevitable so you can place a few plant pots underneath your vertical garden setup. With a self-watering irrigation system, you can easily maintain your green wall and ensure it receives enough water even when you are away from home.
Step 7: Attach the Pots or Pouches
There are specific pots that are available for vertical gardening setups. You can attach the pots one above the other in a vertical format until you have created the desired height for your green wall. There are different types and sizes of colorful plant pots available in the online plant store so you can easily choose a set of planters or pots that are right for your vertical garden. You can add PVC pipes along the length of the frame and hang the readily available vertical garden pots to the frame with ease.
Step 8: Choose Your Plants
Before choosing the plants you need to consider the humidity, wind, sun, and the shade your vertical garden will be receiving. Selecting native plants that thrive in your weather condition will help to keep your garden green throughout the seasons. Some of the common plants preferred for vertical gardens in India are crotons, ferns, bromeliads, pothos, dracaena, and succulents. You can also grow fruits and vegetables like cucumbers, melons, peas or tomatoes, on the vertical garden. If you are creating a detachable green wall, then you can easily remove it during extreme summers and protect your plants by placing the frame in shade.
Step 9: Place the Plants
Instead of buying vertical planters, you can directly place the plants on the fabric layer itself by making a horizontal cut in the outer layer of the fabric and inserting the plant in the cut. You can create a pouch-like holding for the plant by attaching the fabric to the plastic layer using stainless steel staples. Soon, the plants will take over the frame and you will be left with a beautiful wall garden.
Step 10: Maintenance
Vertical gardens are a boon for people with mobility issues as they can easily take care of the green wall without having to bend down to prune or water the plants. The space-saving installation makes it easy for anyone tending their garden to remove shedding foliage, manage any pest, refill fertilizer, test irrigation system, trim plants or refurbish the wall with seasonal plants. You can also opt our maintenance plans.
More Ideas on Apartment Balcony Garden – View more>
Frequently Asked Questions.
-
What is Balcony Garden?
A Balcony Garden is a garden created, typically in an urban apartment with limited space. A Balcony Garden is created with the choices of plants and other aesthetic elements to suit space and light constraints and thrive in it. A Balcony Garden transforms your home and provides an amazing green space in your home.
-
What is the Normal Society Rules for Balcony Garden.
Each condominium has some rules set by the society which manages the maintenance and other functions. Before you start preparing to set up a balcony garden, you should check the rules and regulations and understand if any restrictions are there. There are buildings which do not allow growing fruits and vegetables as these attract pests and birds. Thus, for buildings with such rules, only flowers and plants will be allowed.
-
Water Outlet How to Adjust ?
When you intend to have plants, the one thing you need most importantly is water. Water is needed regularly and having a water outlet is important as getting buckets full of water from inside the house is not practical and easy. If there is no water tap, the choice of plants will change. There can be self-irrigation plants. What homeowners insurance is to a house, water is to the plants. The water and the right quantity are what will ensure the plants grow well. Another issue that comes with plants is that the water can drop to the floor below or outside which can cause problems. Ideally, there should be saucers under the pots which will collect the excess water that can be thrown later.
-
How to Choose the Plants Carefully?
Once you have decided on the pots and soil etc., the biggest concern is the right choice of plants. Each space cannot have anything growing well and thus, wasting space and choosing wisely is needed. The way the plant will grow depends on the sunlight that area gets. Depending on the sun you can choose the plants. Like plants like lettuce and spinach do not need a lot of sun and so is the case with some herbs. Then there are low-light plants like ferns and begonias, and plants like cacti which when watered properly can thrive on a balcony which has a lot of sun. Understanding the amount of sun is important as many times we do not realise that many plants need at least 6 hours of sun daily. Also, if you are intending to grow some vegetables, be careful about the pests and the birds that might come and not only spoil the plants and the vegetables and also dirty the place.
Plant Care Guide for Balcony Garden
Organically rich soil is the secret to healthy plant in Balcony Garden. We recommend to change the soil in every 2 yrs.
Watering will only require once the moisture level of soil is 80-90% over.
Fertilization will be require in every 3 months almost. Try to avoid Plastic planter, can use terracotta or FRP for fast growth of Plants.
Preferred Plants for semi shade balcony.
For Greenery – Areca Palm, Ficus, Golden Cypress, Snake Plant etc.
For Flowers – Rose, Temple Tree, Allamanda, Ixora, Mogra, Arabian Jasmine etc.
For Hanging – Geranium, Baby Tear, Money Plant, Chlorophytum, Gazania, Lantana, Torenia, Portulaca etc.
Leave A Comment