A balcony garden not only adds a beautiful green space to your home but also provides a much-needed habitat for pollinators. Just imagine: if every household in the U.S. planted just one pollinator plant, there would be more than 120 million additional plants supporting pollinator habitats.
The Benefits of a Pollinator Garden
Pollinator gardens benefit more than just bees, butterflies, and other pollinators—they’re good for people too! Research has shown that spending time in green spaces can reduce stress and help protect against mood disorders and depression.
Ready to start your balcony garden? Follow these five easy steps:
Step 1: Choose Your Location
Pick the sunniest spot on your balcony, as most pollinator plants need full sunlight. If your balcony gets less sun, don’t worry! Some pollinator plants thrive in shady conditions too.
Step 2: Determine the Size of Your Garden
Decide how large your garden should be. Leave space for chairs or tables so you can relax in your garden without feeling cramped. Use chalk or painter’s tape to mark the garden area and see how it fits on your balcony.
Remember to think vertically! Train vines to grow along your railings or up a trellis. You can also use wall planters or a shelf for smaller plants. Window boxes along railings provide extra space for pollinator plants. Before choosing plants, measure the space and ensure it’s sufficient for your garden’s needs.
Also, consider how much time you want to dedicate to maintenance. A larger garden will need more watering, pruning, and winterizing. Keep in mind that pots tend to dry out more quickly than garden soil. To frost-proof containers, add mulch around the pots in cooler weather.
Step 3: Select Native Plants
Before selecting planters, decide which native plants you want. Native plants are easier to care for because they’re adapted to your local climate and serve as a reliable food source for pollinators.
Check out pollinator “recipe cards” for a list of native plants specific to your region. Choose a variety of plants with different bloom times to provide nectar throughout the seasons. Additionally, choose plants that match the height and width your balcony can accommodate. Remember to allow about three extra inches of space per plant for the planters.
Step 4: Gather Your Materials
Choose planters that are roughly two inches larger than your plants. Using the correct size is essential. If the pot is too large, it may cause root rot. On the other hand, a small pot may restrict plant growth. Make sure all planters have drainage holes to avoid soggy roots.
Other materials you’ll need include:
- High-quality garden soil
- Hand trowel
- Hand cultivator
- Pruner
- Gardening gloves
- Watering can
- Kneeling pad
- Trellis for climbing plants
- Twine to train vines
Step 5: Plant and Arrange Your Garden
Fill the bottom of each pot with soil, then carefully remove each plant from its container. Gently loosen the roots and place the plant in the pot. Cover the root ball with soil and water it thoroughly.
