“When I go into the garden, I forget everything. It’s uncomplicated in my world of gardening. It’s trial and error, really. If something doesn’t work, it comes out, and you start all over again.” – Emilia Fox

You may think that just because you live in an apartment that you’re not able to have a garden – but that’s just not the case. When you have a patio or balcony, you have a space where you can plant flowers, herbs, or vegetables. And with spring just around the corner, the time to start thinking about gardening is now. Use these tips to get you started.

• Keep It Simple: While it can be tempting to fill your patio or balcony with tons of pretty flowers and loads of vegetables, it does require work to care for these plants. The best thing may be to start simple. Perhaps just a couple of flowers to take care of or just a few of your favorite vegetables. And then, as you become a more proficient gardener, you can add more to your space.
• Create a Plan: You definitely want to create a plan for your space. Do you still want to be able to sit on your patio? Then take that into account. Are you looking for plants that can help provide privacy? Then ask for recommendations at your local nursery. Decide what you want in your space and plan accordingly.
• Establish a Budget: Those who love gardening will tell you that they spend a lot of money on their gardens – especially if it’s their passion. You’ll want to establish a budget, so you don’t get carried away when it comes to buying containers, soil, and plants for your space.
• Consider Upkeep: You definitely want to consider how much time you have to take care of your garden. It will need to be watered. You’ll need to remove weeds. And, you might even have to “feed” your plants to keep them healthy. If you lead a super busy life, ask for recommendations of low maintenance plants.
• Know Your Sun: Sun is also an important factor when choosing plants for your garden. You need to know if and when your patio or balcony receives sun – and for how long. This will allow you to pick plants that will do well with the amount of sunlight your space receives.
• Check Your Containers: You want to make sure you have containers that are large enough, so your plants don’t become root-bound. You also want containers that won’t overwhelm your space. And don’t forget to think about vertical gardening. You may be able to utilize your walls for some of your plants.
• Have Adequate Drainage: When it comes to filling your containers, you want to make sure that they will drain excess water from the soil. While lots of people use rocks at the bottom of their containers, this can make your planters extremely heavy and difficult to move. Plastic water bottles are a good alternative to rocks and will help keep your planters a little lighter and easier to move.
• Choose the Right Soil: Once you’ve chosen your plants, ask for some assistance on what soil will work best for your plants and your containers. A nursery can make some recommendations for you. You might also ask if your plants will need plant food to help keep them healthy.
• Plant Away: And then start planting! Get your hands in the dirt, and enjoy all that pops up in your containers.

Container gardening is a great way to enjoy plants while living in your apartment. Whether you like beautiful flowers, herbs for cooking, or some delicious vegetables to use in a weeknight meal, you might be able to go and grab them from your very own garden.