Here are a few suggestions from our trio of balcony gardeners:
-Before you go to the garden store, check the rule book for your apartment building and condo association regarding window boxes, hanging baskets, etc. Are barbecue grills OK? Municipalities and buildings vary on those regulations, too, so check.
-Bring a photo of your balcony and a tape measure to the garden center (dimensions are good to have too). Consider all the elements you want (chairs, table, grill, etc.) in addition to plants.
-Consider the weight of your potted plants and the water, so you do not overload your balcony.
-Premixed soil with water-absorbing polymers can help alleviate watering issues.
-Don’t overwhelm containers: “[It] took me a while to learn how many plants to put in 3-foot balcony planters,” says Denise Corkery. “The first year, I started with four. Last year, I got carried away and planted it out. More did not make it better. More made it harder for each of the plants to thrive.”
-Will you need to overwinter plants and do you have space to do it? Or friends who will take them?