My Balcony Garden In Johor Bahru. 22 Floor's High.
Sunflowers on BalconyI been reading lots lately about people in apartments with balconies wanting to have a garden in the sky but do not know where to start.
The best tip is to start small see what works, keep moving things about this will allow you to see and find the best place for the plants then once you happy and the plants are happy with the area they are in - shade or full sun. then you can start thinking about landscaping.
I use the word landscaping because effectively that's what you will be doing but on a small scale.
You need to consider what you will be using the balcony for. if like me its just for relaxing, dining out on, you will need to make areas for example on mine I keep the area to the right just for chairs and table, that way people can move about without damaging your loved plants.
then you need to ask yourself do you want a water feature. You do but the cost a fortune, Not so if you do it your self and I will show you how to put together two ponds with waterfall fountain and a Bio filter to keep all that running water clear.
I say running because I leave it on the goo all the time, for two reasons one. mosquitoes do not like running water. two I find the pumps like it better and less chance of it getting blocked if water moving all the time, I used to turn off at night and on again in the morning, but sometime big pump not work had to remove grit from it and all OK again. but leaving it on just seams to work better for me.
I also like the sound of chimes so plan for them - trust me its so nice to lay back in the recline chair and listen to the birds singing the chimes ringing and the water flowing. I drift off into la la land with no effort at all.
OK well first I'll show you the balcony empty then with pictures as it develops, bear in mind this is over a two year period.
Balcony February 2012.........
As it is now Feb 20th 2012, rearranged to give more room on balcony so removed one pond with waterfall.
This is Balcony now, this is the water feature I put together and cost very little just few plumbing parts and pumps.
The tub at the top is the Bio filter and has live plant with roots shooting down into the tub to form the bio part, natural filtration and it works great.
looking to left of balcony.
Overview of ponds
Relaxation Area.
Dining area kept clear
view from dining area although dull day.
Of course its not just humans that enjoy a good garden here is my Lovebirds.
they love it out here, and sing so much.
As you can see from inside now - Dining to right Garden to left.
So you see even on a balcony you can have your little Paradise, and it get s better when the plants are in bloom.
UPDATED PHOTOS OF GARDEN NOVEMBER 2011
this is selection of plants I put in last.
I hope you enjoyed seeing my Balcony in the Sky and it give you inspiration to have a go yourself, you can always contact me if you want any help
This is the right hand side of balcony the Dining area.
Kept clear to move around with ease.
and This is the full view from inside, showing the dining area to right garden and ponds to left and centre