| Having a garden is one of the highlights of summer | | | | containers on your decking, be sure to buy saucers |
| for many people but not everyone has a yard in | | | | for them so the water doesn't seep onto the deck |
| which to plant flowers. Luckily, there are a few ways | | | | and stain it - if you don't you might find yourself |
| that even apartment dwellers can enjoy gardening. | | | | forfeiting your security deposit or re-staining the |
| If you are fortunate enough to have a balcony or | | | | deck when you move out. Before drilling holes for |
| deck off your main living area, you can use | | | | hanging plants, be sure to check with your landlord or |
| containers to turn it into a mini garden. Today, you | | | | apartment caretaker. |
| can purchase containers that hang right on the railing | | | | Be sure to use a good potting soil for your plants |
| without any invasive installation and large pots can be | | | | and water thoroughly. Plants in containers can dry out |
| used on the decking. If you have a roof above your | | | | rapidly and you may have to water them every day. |
| balcony, you may even be able to install hanging | | | | Be sure that you don't over water, you want the soil |
| plants. Just be sure that you review the rules of your | | | | to be moist with no standing water. Container plants |
| apartment complex before you add anything to your | | | | do well when fertilized about once a month with a |
| outdoor area. | | | | general fertilizer or one made specifically for your |
| When choosing flowers or plants for your outdoor | | | | type of plant. |
| area, you want to be sure to buy plants that will | | | | In addition to planting flowers outdoors, you can also |
| thrive in that environment. If your apartment balcony | | | | enhance your balcony area with interesting potted |
| is shady then you want to get plants that like the | | | | palms and other tree like plants that can be moved |
| shade. If it has blazing sun all day, buy ones that can | | | | into the apartment when cold weather comes and |
| take the hot sun, or be sure to move them into the | | | | enjoyed all winter long. When arranging the plants, be |
| shade during the noon heat if they specify that they | | | | sure to use pots and plants of varying heights - all |
| are for partial shade. Buying annuals is probably a | | | | plants of the same height will look boring, but if you |
| best bet as they will flower all season and you won't | | | | put together containers of different sizes and heights |
| have to deal with them in the winter. | | | | in groups this will add a lot of interest. |
| When selecting your containers, be sure to get ones | | | | Be sure to check your plants every day and pinch |
| that have good drainage. You may even want to add | | | | off any dead flowers and leaves to keep your |
| some small rocks on the bottom to provide additional | | | | balcony garden oasis vibrant and fresh. |
| places for water to go. If you will be putting the | | | | |