Making the Most of Limited Outdoor Space for Plants

Of you’re like me and you’ve got the desire for a few acres, but the budget for a small balcony, then you need to get the most out of your limited balcony space.

Through a little searching I’ve found some real world solutions that others have used including fire escape gardens for those extra small outdoor spaces.

A personal favorite (No. 3).  I used larger hose clamps and attached them right to the posts of my building.

Hose clamps as plant holders to maximize balcony space.

This video is for a slightly different project, but with the same idea to demonstrate how to make one for yourself.   This is possibly one of the easiest and most effective plant holders because they are inexpensive–approx. $2 per clamp at your local hardware store– and adjustable.  Turn the clamp to make it smaller or larger to fit your pot.

In addition to my hose clamp plant holders, I splurged and bought some adjustable/removable plant holder railing brackets.  Once assembled, the brackets are held in place by the weight of the plant pushing down on the bracket and, in turn, pushing on the railing.  The planters simply sit atop the brackets.

One of the brands of planter box railing brackets available.

These ran me about $12 a piece (a splurge), but well worth it for large, heavy planter boxes.   They took minutes to assemble, and I can happily report that despite a few thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, the planters haven’t moved an inch.

(The bungee cord was an extra precaution because I was plant-sitting a friend’s mint).

My balcony feels much larger, and more homey, with the planters off the floor and onto the railing and posts.

More on balcony ideas?

Read more on Cheap Date Idea: Balcony Upgrades

Sources:

Gardening Without a Garden: 10 Ideas for Your Patio or Garden

Adventures in Urban Gardening: The Fire Escape Farm

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