Summit Ridge Apartment Blog

4 Easy Steps to Start a Patio Garden

Turn your patio or balcony into a garden and celebrate the spring! No green thumb needed!

It’s finally spring in Lee’s Summit! There were definitely times this past winter when we thought it would never stop snowing or warm up. Obviously, given that it’s still somewhat early in April, there is still a good possibility we could see some flurries or at least early-morning frost over the next few weeks. However, it’s the perfect time to start planning a spring upgrade to your patio or balcony! As temperatures keep rising add some color to your outdoor space and some homegrown spice to your cooking!

Step 1:

Take a look at the space you have to work with. How much of your patio or balcony gets direct sunlight, and for how many hours per day? Also, how much of your space do you want to dedicate to your garden? Finally, and arguably most importantly, what do you want to grow? Herbs don’t typically take up too much space, but they do require some maintenance to get the best yields. If you’re up for it, there are several types of vegetables and fruits that can do well in a smaller growing environment. Of course, you could also keep it simple with some basic flowers that only need watering once or twice a week.

Step 2:

Once you’ve decided what you’re going to plant it’s time to gather supplies and decide when to plant. If you don’t already know it, do a quick online search to find out your planting zone to make sure you’re out of the frost potential before beginning. You can start purchasing supplies like pots, soil, and hand spades as early as you’d like, though you should wait to get any seedlings or flowers until you’re ready to plant. While you can try growing everything from a seed, there’s no shame in making it a little easier on yourself and going with starters or seedlings.

Step 3:

Once you’re sure there’s no chance of frost and you have all your supplies, now’s the time to get down and dirty! Each plant should come with a tag that has important information on it such as planting depth, distance from other plants, and water and sunlight needs. When planting it’s important to be gentle and not break the roots or stems. Start by filling the container nearly full with soil, but leaving wells for the plant. If the roots are packed together gently break them apart to encourage growth, then place the plant into the hole you left in the soil. Pack more soil around the base of the plant, pat it down, then water thoroughly.

Step 4:

Now you can enjoy the fruits of your labor! If you opted for a simple flower garden, you may only need to water the plants every now and then to enjoy all season long. For herbs and vegetables there may be more steps to keep the plants thriving, for example, herbs like basil and mint need to be pruned to ensure a fuller plant. For herbs, fruits, and vegetables you should also learn how and when to harvest to get the best yield. Also keep in mind storage and preservation methods so you can enjoy your herbs and produce year-round.

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