In my last blog entry, I talked about spring cleaning your interior spaces. So this time around I thought I'd tackle the great outdoors. Or in my case, the lack of great outdoors.
Spring is indeed a time for new growth, and I'd love nothing more than to surround myself in green, flowering things. But my front yard is concrete, I don't have a backyard or deck, and my apartment boasts only two small, incredibly dingy windows, which spend the better part of the day shaded by the large brownstone across the street. It is clearly not the optimal scenario for growing things. What's a frustrated urban gardener to do?
It looks like a lot of you aspiring green thumbs have similar restrictions, but are making it work. I've unearthed tons of fertile advice from Answers users on using containers to grow vegetables, herbs, and even edible flowers.
Some urbanites live in such close quarters that the only place to "grow" is up … on the roof, that is. and green roofs are springing up all over metropolitan areas, and could even possibly help to save energy and keep buildings cooler.
Of course, if you don't even have access to a roof, there are plenty of options for bringing a bit of spring to the tiniest indoor space. Birdie_001, for example, shares a method for forcing bulbs in a dish, and Valkyrie's question elicits some great ideas about creating a plant terrarium.
For my situation, window planter boxes seem like the best way to go. Apparently, there are many plant varieties that thrive in window boxes, even veggies and herbs, so I'll have lots to choose from.
And I think I'll take HelloLPN's advice and add a coat of varnish to the inside of the boxes to help prevent rotting, especially through the moist and muggy New York summer. Garden Doc MG also shared a great tip about using polymers in the soil to help keep my plants hydrated even when I'm less than diligent about my watering schedule.
Thanks for all the great suggestions - now let's get out there and grow!
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