Challenges with Urban Gardening Can Be Solved

Downtown Silver Spring, like many similar urban areas, is a challenge to garden in especially for those in an apartment, townhome, or condo. But don’t despair and think a garden is out of reach! Instead, think creatively and explore the sunny outdoor spaces around your abode. Do you have access to a balcony, patio, or rooftop? With containers, favorite furnishings, and the right plants, you can turn your rooftop terrace, or balcony into a lovely green oasis. 

Management relations is key in maintaining a garden in a building that you do not own. Many rental apartment complexes allow and encourage balcony gardens. Why not approach your landlord about starting a communal compost pile for the building, holding a balcony garden contest, or allowing a sunny part of the grounds to be converted to community garden plots?

If you are a renter and are stuck with an ugly view or parking lot, a garden can be a perfect way to screen out anything unattractive. Put a trellis in a pot and weave a vine around it, bring out a tall tropical plant, and hang planters to block out the undesirable scenery.  Be sure to secure anything top-heavy to your railing or a wall as the wind up high can easily topple your greenery.

High and Dry: Your choice of what to plant up high are as varied as what one can plant in the ground. The only caveats are that being exposed to the elements, your elevated plantings will dry out quicker and will need more supplemental waterings. To save you from making frequent trips to your indoor faucets with a heavy watering can, invest in a coil hose with a sink attachment. Other ways to keep your plants hydrated include adding soil moisture gel pellets as you plant them or installing a drip irrigation system strung between your containers. Speaking of containers, try to keep your as light as possible by choosing sturdy plastic containers and using lightweight potting soil mixes. A container full of saturated soil can get quite heavy so know your weight limits. Further lighten containers by filling in the bottom third with packing materials, empty soda cans, or plastic bottles. It is much easier to maintain a few large pots with mixed plantings, than to have several small pots.

Plant Choices: You may want to design your high-rise horticulture around a theme of desert plants or grasses. Picking drought-tolerant plants accustomed to wind and sun exposure can be an attractive and low-maintenance collection. Many rooftop gardeners notice their plantings attract a variety of wildlife, as well. Use large boxes of native meadow perennials such as Echinacea and Rudbeckia, if your goal is to attract wildlife.

A Houseplant Vacation: Tight on funds? No need to buy all new outdoor plants every year. Instead, give your houseplants a vacation by taking them outside in our hot, humid summers. Many plants benefit from the time outside. A few, such as orchids, require the outdoor temperature fluctuations of warm days and cool nights in order to jump-start their flowering cycle. Add the finishing touches of furniture and decorative elements, and you have a high-rise oasis all your own. 

Author:

Kathy is planting fewer, bigger containers this year to cut down on her watering chores. She is the editor of Washington Gardener magazine and a long-time DC area gardening enthusiast. Kathy can be reached at  washingtongardener@rcn.com and welcomes your gardening questions