insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 25 - March 2017 | Page 73

WINDOWSILLS AND INDOOR GARDENS
Indoor gardens are the ideal solution for those with no outside space at all . If you live somewhere that has no outside garden , there is no reason not to create one inside – you just need to work at it a little first .
Windowsills are great places to set up your indoor garden as this allows for your plants to get a good dose of sunlight . You may want to invest in a special irrigation system for keeping them watered , and this can be especially useful if you are away from home at any time , but it isn ’ t strictly necessary . Just remember to place your indoor garden on a tray or similar so that the excess water doesn ’ t make too much mess .
The best things to grow inside are herbs as they are able to thrive quite happily without the need for too much fresh air . They are also fairly simply to plant and nurture , so for beginners they are perfect . Plus , as a bonus , you can use them in your cooking for an ultrafresh homemade taste . The same goes for fruit and vegetables ( strawberries , blueberries , dwarf apples , carrots , onions and salad greens are great at growing indoors , for example ).
You can even grow some flowers such as begonias , petunias and marigolds . Amaryllis are a great variety to start with if you fancy a room full of flowers – they ’ re easy to grow ( even in winter ), and are stunning when the blooms show their beautiful faces .
DECK OR BALCONY
If your outside space is restricted to a deck or balcony you can still have a beautiful flowering garden there . Balcony gardens have a special , intimate feel to them – they are a secret space just for you ; although if and when guests do see your handiwork they won ’ t fail to be impressed .
Since there are no flowerbeds to utilise you will need to think outside the box – or rather , use the box to your advantage . Adding garden boxes to your balcony is a lovely way to improve the look of it as well as offering you the chance to grow your favourite plants and flowers . The fun part is making or finding these boxes yourself . What about wooden wine boxes ? They make perfect little beds for planting herbs in , for example . Simply drill a couple of holes in the bottom and fill them with soil – they ’ re ready to use for planting . Or perhaps jars might work for you ? They can be attached using brackets to a wooden board and then fixed to the wall ; they look wonderful and you won ’ t lose any floor space .
No matter how you organise your balcony garden or what you choose to grow your plants in , it will look and smell amazing . The perfect plants for a balcony include lavender , Californian poppies and nasturtiums . As well as these , all kinds of salad leaves and tomatoes can be successfully grown on a balcony , as can a variety of dwarf trees such as olives .
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