If you’re looking for a way to positively impact the environment, look no further than your balcony or patio. There is a world of glorious opportunities for biodiversity right outside your apartment door.
Rightsizing into a premier Overture senior apartment community means you are done worrying about - and paying for - costly yard maintenance. But, you can still connect with nature and help protect the planet. The very definition of a win/win.
No matter how small your space, it’s easy to create a welcoming habitat for wildlife. Fill a few well-conceived window boxes and pots, and voila! Butterflies and hummingbirds will find their way to you. And they will tell their friends.
Follow these simple patio gardening tips to create wildlife friendly gardens. Then pull up a chair and enjoy!
Know Your Space
Before you begin designing your container garden, there are three important considerations:
Light
How much sun or shade will your garden receive? This will determine which plants will thrive there.
Wind
The amount of wind exposure typical for your patio or balcony will also affect plant choice.
Freezing
If you live in a colder climate, you will need to decide if your garden will be seasonal or year-round. If your goal is year-round, you will need to choose plants that can withstand freezing temperatures.
Choose Your Containers
The choices for plant pots and containers are vast and varied. Evaluate your space and select the largest pots it can handle. Try to work with pots that are at least 13 inches. Make sure you have adequate drainage, so plant roots won’t rot from sitting in too much water. Make sure pots are both durable and deep enough for plenty of potting soil and nice sized plants.
Pick Your Plants
The specific species of plants you select will depend upon where you live. Plants with naturally shallow root structures are the best choices.
If you are unsure of which varieties are native to your area, wander over to the nearest plant nursery and consult an expert. Explain that you want a mixture of plants that will flower at different times to ensure a continuous food supply for visiting pollinators. Entice your little visitors with a variety of heights, textures, greenery, colors and, of course, aromas.
For the Birds
There are lots of nectar producing plants that will thrive in container pots and attract those delightful hummingbirds. Colorful plants, especially red ones, will get their attention. Large planters filled with seed producing plants will bring sparrows and other seed loving birds in the fall. Consider hanging a feeder above a container or putting it on a stake in the center of a container. Sunflowers, poppies, and cosmos provide beauty in the summer and plenty of seeds in the fall. Again, you will make choices according to your space and neck of the woods.
For the Butterflies
Those nectar producing plants will also invite butterflies to your mini wildlife habitat. You will want to include some large, flat rocks if the space can accommodate, a water source and some shrub plants.
For Your Friends
The best part about container gardening is sharing it with friends. Maybe once you connect with your neighbors at the Overture senior apartment community of your choice, you can coordinate your efforts and transform your balcony into a wildlife sanctuary extraordinaire.
Book a tour today. A warm welcome awaits you – and your little pollinating friends. If you build it, they will come!