There are lots of reasons why people decide to live in the city, including: job opportunities, transport and a host of entertainment options. While many people enjoy the hustle and bustle of urban life, a lot of city dwellers also miss the countryside from time to time. If you’d like to bring more greenery into your urban home, why not try some window gardening?
Climbers and creepers
With the help of a supporting structure, climbers and creepers grow vertically. They can therefore be perfect for growing around the windows and doors of your house. Make sure to choose a plant which suits the amount of light your house receives. Clematis is a pretty choice, with varieties that flower in both summer and winter. If you have more space to work with, you could go for a more adventurous plant like wisteria.
Use a wire or wooden frame (depending on the plant) to guide the vines around your windows. This will give the outside of your home a cute, ‘country-chic’ appearance. Just make sure to ask the permission of your landlord if you don’t own the property. It’s also good manners to check that your neighbors are happy before you begin. For tips on creating floral window displays, check out our article on window boxes.
Windowsill allotment
For a taste of countryside life, why not set up a tiny allotment on your windowsill? Arrange a potting tray or a set of pots along your sill (depending on the space you have available), then select your plants. If you enjoy a colourful garden, then you may want to opt for flowers. Hyacinths, daffodils, and irises make a beautiful addition to any window. If you prefer growing plants you can put to good use, how about cultivating some fruit and veg? Baby tomatoes will grow well in a pot, as do strawberries and blueberries.
If you’re a whizz in the kitchen, you might even want to grow some herbs, like basil, oregano, or parsley. The great thing about windowsill plants is that you can control their environment. They’re protected from the rain, so you can make sure they get just the right amount of water. You can also choose which windows you position them in, according to how much light they need.
Suspended window plants
Urbanites from all over the world are taking part in the current trend of ‘window farming’. Instead of lining plants along the sill, this innovative technique involves suspending them vertically. By positioning the pots one above the other, you can save space and grow more. Professionally made window rigs are available on the market, but a lot of ‘urban farmers’ are making their own. Recycled plastic bottles are a popular choice of container.
Another option is to line the pockets of a canvas shoe rack before filling them with soil. Your plants will cover the entire window, so it’s best to limit them to just one area of your home. That way, you’ll still get to enjoy the light from your other windows.
(Photo by Pixabay)