Create an urban oasis
Small urban gardens, balconies and roof terraces needn’t be a barrier to growing the plants you love. From living walls to hanging pots and growing climbers, you can utilise every last inch of your space to create an urban jungle in the heart of the city. Find out some top tips for getting the most out of your urban garden from our friends at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine below.
What’s more, NEW to BBC Gardeners’ World Live this year, are the Urban Garden Area. There will be plenty of inspiration to take-home in this area, from two Showcase Gardens, designed by Cherry Carmen, as well as a stage dedicated to all things urban gardening!
Top tips for urban gardens
Get the most out of your balcony
If you have a balcony or small garden with a low fence, you can maximise your growing space with balcony planters. These nifty planters can be hung over the balcony rail or fence ledge, giving you extra growing space that needn’t impact on the area beneath it.
For more top tips on balconies, read more here from expert Chris Collins.
Use every inch of your space
Level surfaces, including the tops of low, sheltered walls, may be used as an additional space to house potted plants. Do this only where it’s safe to do so and use heavy pots such as terracotta, which are less likely to be blown off by wind.
Hanging pots
Fill trellis by hanging pots planted with fast-growing bedding. Using brackets that can attach pots to a range of surfaces including fence posts, fences, walls, trellis and even drain pipes, you can fill space that would otherwise be bare. These easy to use, multi-purpose brackets can be used again and again, to fill space where you need it at the time.
Grow climbing plants
Another way to utilise wall space is to grow climbing plants. Several species of clematis can be grown in containers, and will climb up a simple trellis or wire frame, attached to the wall. You can also grow annual climbers for a more temporary display.
Create a private area
Looking to screen off overlooking windows? Why not erect a pergola to increase privacy, creating a cosy, private seating area? You can also grow climbers up it.
Or, plant a tree to provide privacy in your garden. It’s often better to plant it in the middle of the garden, as opposed to on the boundary – check where you think it would work best.
Add some colour
Accent colours on walls work just as well outside as inside your home. Blues help to make a space feel bigger, while brighter colours can act as stunning backdrops for plants. Either way, some colour will help bring year-round energy to walls, fences, sheds or trellis.
Water features
Bring the soothing effect of water into a garden. Water features come in all shapes and sizes, and many require minimal wiring and a pump, while others are solar-powered or fitted with LED lights. Place on pebbles for a natural scene.
