May 7 Begin Two-Tier Planter System

Shopping for More Planters: I plan to do some more planting this afternoon. As you can see in the photo to the right, my Phase One is a bit boring and requires some Enhancement in order to reach that stage of Abundance I seek. In preparation for this, I stop by Home Goods. As if I could look around this store without buying anything. Is that possible? (yes, I’ve done it once or twice). I find an amazing bargain of a wrought iron hanging basket. This planter is 48” long on its back side with a drop of about 9”. It is fully lined with coco-fiber and is priced at $29.99. Frankly, this motif does not really blend with my vision of white window boxes and faux-stone planters… yet, that price is really good. I buy one to bring home and see this up close and personal. Does it make sense? What will it look like? Would the black metal be too much of a contrast? Once I take the single coco-fiber-lined planter home and set it up against the balcony railing I “see” the possibility. I quickly drive back to Home Goods to purchase the only remaining planter and stow that in the back of my car. Time now to head back to my two favorite nurseries for more plants along with several “S” hooks to hold these two planters against the railing.

Shopping for More Plants: Yes, it is true that I am now spending another $200 or so for more plantings (see video below). I am obsessed. Gee, if I amortize this over the past 11 years in which I did not plant on my balcony…. No no no. I will not succumb to justification! Pretty. I’m just looking for pretty. Yes, the woman at nursery # 2 asked if I was planting the entire grounds of the complex where I live (no!). Then, when I arrived at home and begin to unpack my three, oops, four flats of plants, one of my neighbors inquired, “where on earth are you going to be planting all of those?” For just a moment I wonder, “Have I overdone it?”

Planting Phase 2: I let the moment go and head out on the balcony to begin the Phase 2 planting of my Balcony Oasis. What I have determined is that my lush balcony will be enhanced by having a two-tier planting system. I’m quite excited by the concept. The first (top) tier is hung outside my balcony railing and tips slightly down towards the courtyard. I enjoy the plantings, yet frankly, my view is one long line of color. Just refer to my photo on the top right for an example of this -- pretty, but not yet enough. Fuller enjoyment can be found by doting upon the window boxes when I stand over them and water or trim the plants.



After I hang the coco-fiber-lined planters and prep them for planting, I am quickly horrified to find out that six (6) of my plants fill these two larger planters rather quickly. Oh boy. I have overdone the plant purchasing. I continue to plant until the sun sets and the two new planters are fairly full. I take my “leftover plants” and stow them on top of my patio table. This is my favorite video as I complete this second phase: Here you can see some of those extra plants:

With the addition of the second tier, I notice a wonderful change. These two new planters are placed on the inside of the railing, so they are visually on "my side". Yes, they cut down on my usable space in the balcony deck area. Additionally, these planters dip slightly down to my favor. In other words, my view now is of the entire depth of the plantings. Wow.



The temperature is dropping quickly. The weather predictions are for a thunderstorm on Saturday followed by a cold and windy Mother’s Day on Sunday. I believe they underestimated those condtions. Please see the next blog for some videos of those conditions.

Progress Photos - Phase 1 Window Boxes

On May 1, 2010, I planted 3 window boxes. The photos below document the progress of these 3 boxes just 7 days later:




[L. to R.]Torenia (violet moon hybrid), Nemesia (Angleart Pear), Gerbera, and a blue pansy.





The photos are beginning to show a need for the first trimback on spent flowers.



I am pleased to see that most of these plants have weathered the first week very well.





A few adjustments will be made to the plantings in the next week or so. This will will in any gaps. Did I say "gaps"? Some of these look a bit overplanted, especially for the first week.



The lovely pale yellow Calibrachoa (Cabaret Yellow) has charmed me and I returned to the nursery for additional colors.



That dahlia is actually a lovely orange, though it appears "peach" here. Same for the Gerbera.


My alyssum did not do very well. I had two 4-packs and most of them look pretty dead thus far.



Here in the last shot, croton, zinnia and gerbera. I was inspired to use the foliage plants instead of flowers for my center speciman plants. So far, I am really liking that concept.

How to Plant a Container Garden - 3 Methods

How to plant a Container Garden: This is just a review of the basics which may be useful for a beginner.

Note that I am experimenting herein with one new product and following one bit of advice on recycled plastic 1-gal bottles. By May 1, I am ready to plant my three window boxes. Although much is published on How to Plant a Container Garden, here’s a short video explanation and a new product, “Better Than Rocks”. This product is nearly 1” thick, feels a bit like a scrubby pad, and is marketed to hold the potting soil above the drainage holes. Although I find this product to be pricey, it does offer a few good features. First, it is made out of recycled plastic (so I give myself a little checkmark in my “green” department for today). Next, no odor and no rotting. This puts coco fiber to shame. By the way, a nurseryperson just informed me that squirrels just love coco fiber for lining their nests. Nah, I do not care to go that green! Fiberglass window box with stones over drainage and Better Than Rocks product:



I also selected a new planter for my first experiment with coco fiber. The metal planter ($39.99 from Home Goods) was sprayed lightly with Rust-oleum "Crystal Clear Enamel" to prevent rusting:



Inserting coco fiber into a metal planter:



The following video was inspired by the suggestion to use 1-gallon plastic jugs to lighten the weight of these large planters as well as to help with the drainage:

April 2010 Empty Balcony as a Blank Canvas

Zone 7a: I am located in western Long Island, a few hundred feet from a salt water bay. My balcony has a western exposure, with a 6' overhang protecting from most sun and rain. The balcony is further protected from the brunt of most weather by another building and mature pear trees (permitting only filtered sunlight in the late afternoon). The outside window box gets direct sun from approximately 11am through 3pm. The balcony dimensions are 6' deep and 13' wide and it is surrounded on 3 sides with an iron railing. Here is what this poor little balcony looked like in late April:



This is really pushing the season and may be too early to plant. Although the nursery stores are crowded, I am aware that the stock is sparse. We have had a few evenings with temps dropping into the high 40’s and ya know what? I don’t care – I’m ready to begin. I have purchased 3 new resin trough planting boxes and 2 resin urns to add to my 20 year old white fiberglass window boxes. Although I do not have any organized plan whatsoever, it is my intention to hang the 3 window boxes over the railing “outside” my balcony space. I am considering the trough boxes for additional plantings and the urns for specimen plants. Here is a short video of the beginning bones of this plan, er, inspiration.

Budget for 2010 Balcony Garden

Budget and Expense: A note should be entered herein on the concept of spending money for gardening. I freely admit that gardens, whether you are graced with an expansive acre or charmed with a small balcony or patio, can be a costly commitment.

Many of the blog sites I review are created by folks with more creativity than money and I applaud each and every one of these green thumbs. Yet I find myself in agreement with a statement from my older sister, “I just don’t care to wait for the seedlings to grow anymore.” Yep. My decision regarding this balcony garden is to ignore any budget constraints in 2010. I've just retired and will be spending lots of time at home. Accordingly, I will not concern myself with any budget on my garden. I just want a lush planting! I want a luscious, tropical wonderland of exotic, colorful plants. A Jungle. As an added bonus, making the neighbors a wee bit jealous would be quite fun as well.

I am keeping track of most of these expenses elsewhere, so for those readers who may want some guidelines, I'll make that available over time.

The Inspiration and the Hunt

Decision: I have not planted my balcony in 11 years and I feel it is time to renew my relationship with my petite garden space. Let’s get away from the geraniums and petunias with which I had success in prior years. No red, no pink!



The Hunt: As I drive around Long Island to find my favorite old nursery stores, I realize the depth of our recent recession. My old haunts are Gone (sigh). This is a substantial loss. We have warm, even hot, weather in late April and it is very tempting to begin planting. I do my first “rounds” by looking at the standards at Home Depot and Lowes which would be available nationwide. What do they offer to enhance my balcony gardening experience? I also check out my local Fabulous Nursery (I’m sure you all have one in your neighborhood). My short list of desires begins to take shape as I consider building the Balcony Oasis of my Dreams:



1. replace my old, damaged patio set table and eliminate one or two chairs

2. look for a trellis to allow growing vines; could these also be used to

assist in filtering the bright night lights installed in my co-op grounds?

3. Consider a water feature in the form of a small pond or a fountain



Inspiration: I pull out three of my old books on container and window box plantings. The photos are enticing. Sometimes I wonder if the joy is in the photos of the flowers, or is it in the wonder of looking at those plantings in exotic settings? I write down no notes and make no plans. There is no list of what plants to purchase. No guidelines as to how MANY plants I should purchase.



Planning is for left-brained people! I am a retired CPA, so planning is not in my current plan. Nuff said. Let the Creativity Reign.



I find a wonderful blog, “Life on the Balcony” , and get my inspiration from the author’s note on the color combination of blue and yellow/orange. In the last few days of April, I find my Inspiration pieces in the form of larger resin planters, a grape trellis, and a few flowering plants in the colors of yellow/orange and blue/purple. I am excited to get started! There is still no plan and no budget. Local garden lore decrees that it is still too early for outdoor planting.

Decorative Arts

On a design "field trip" as my friend  Mary, of  The Drapery Shop and I like to call them I discovered this cute little decorative arts studio.  The studio had two large picture windows and a captivating display.  Since it was early in the morning the studio or workroom, I'm not sure which one, wasn't open. The decorative pieces were so lovely I couldn't help but pull out my camera and shoot.  This is what I captured. I'm sure you will agree with me that this artist does excellent work with paint...especially metallices.  The sad part is on my way home a few hours later I passed the shop and all the display windows were covered with brown butcher paper. I'm still puzzled...why?