A balcony in a Khrushchev-era building usually becomes a storage area for bicycles and old suitcases.
But imagine instead that you open the door and find yourself in a green oasis.
Tomatoes ripen in flowerpots, strawberries hang from shelves, and the air smells of mint. This is not a fantasy - creating a mini-garden on the balcony is easier than it seems.
Start by choosing the "residents". Dwarf varieties are suitable for small balconies: mini-peppers, eggplants, bush squash. Use verticals: hanging pots, shelves, lattices.
Even sewer pipes can be turned into beds for greenery. Take light soil with perlite - it should not cake in pots.
Watering is the main problem. Install a drip irrigation system from plastic bottles or buy automatic watering. And don't forget about fertilizers - in a limited volume, the soil quickly depletes.
Feed the plants with an infusion of banana peels or eggshells every two weeks.
And to make the balcony pleasing to the eye, add flowers: marigolds will scare away pests, nasturtiums are edible, and petunias will create a mood. And the final touch is lighting.
LED string lights or garden lanterns will transform your garden into a magical place. When your neighbors ask where you bought such a design, just smile: let them think that you have a secret garden genius.
