Make it easier
Planters, pots and troughs on a balcony can need watering often. If you have low energy or any challenges with mobility, you could start with a small number of plants. Add more in time if you feel able to manage.
You don’t need a traditional garden to grow plants. An urban or apartment balcony can become a green haven. Jason Williams shares advice for getting started.
- Having plants and nature around can improve mental health and wellbeing, helping reduce stress and boost mood
- By growing and caring for plants, we can keep learning, which is one of the Five Ways to Wellbeing
- Tending a balcony garden can use both gross and fine motor skills, helping to stay fit and active
Gardening is sometimes described as the UK’s favourite hobby. When you think of gardening, you may create a picture in your mind of a traditional outdoor space with lawn and a flower bed. This is certainly one way to enjoy the benefits of nature. But, it’s not the only sort of ‘garden.’
In urban areas in particular, people are less likely to have access to private gardens. If you have a balcony of any size, though, you can still grow all manner of plants and support your wellbeing.
Jason ‘The Cloud Gardener’ Williams is a huge advocate for this. He transformed his 18th floor balcony in Manchester, sharing his amazing results with his growing number of followers on social media.
Here, he shares his top tips for getting started.
Prefer a video version? Watch the YouTube short here.
Jason the Cloud Gardener on his balcony
By Jason ‘The Cloud Gardener’ Williams
1. Know your weight limit
This is one of the most important things you need to do. Check with your building management what the weight limit is of your balcony.
Knowing this will help with decisions about what you can put on the balcony, from type and size of pot to any furniture.
2. Get to know your individual balcony
Each balcony has its very own micro-climate. It’s important to pay attention to it. The conditions on your balcony – whether that’s very sunny, shady, windy – will affect what grows best in your space.
3. Embrace edibles
Flowers are beautiful on a balcony garden, but your balcony can also be super productive. You could have planters filled with herbs, baskets of strawberries, chilli plants and much more.
Getting to know your balcony first, like how much sun comes in, will help with knowing what food crops you can grow.
4. Include pollinator friendly flowers
Having pollinator friendly flowers will help increase the biodiversity of your balcony garden. It will also help you increase the yield of your crops.
5. It doesn’t always go to plan
Sometimes, not everything goes to plan. That is absolutely ok. Any failures help you learn what works in your space. Don’t worry!
Written in collaboration with
Jason Williams
Jason Williams
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