What Garden Types Are Good For Condos And City Homes?
Did you know that there are different gardens to fit specific spaces? This plant expert shares which garden types are right for your home.
City living often conjures images of large expanses of concrete and high-rises where pockets of green are few and far between. A garden is usually an afterthought, especially if you’re living in a condominium unit.
But having an urban garden—no matter how small—is important for your wellbeing, as live plants are known to help calm you down and improve the air quality, aside from beautifying your space. Urban gardener and all-around-crafter Marvz Conti, who creates container gardens and green walls for Habil Crafts, explains how easy it is to make an urban garden.
“For most city dwellers, there are innovative ways to bring the outside in by doing urban gardening,” he says. “It would really depend on the available space, and how you would maximize it. You also need to consider how much room and light you have in a particular area.” Here are some types of urban gardens you can create at home:
Container
One of the most basic types of urban gardens, a container garden is the easiest to do, since it needs the least space, so even if you live in a studio, you can have one. And a series of potted herbs can be perched on the windowsill of your kitchen, if you lack a balcony or ledge. “For container gardens, you may go for low-maintenance plants like air plants or succulents, which would require minimal attention.”
READ: 6 Life Lessons I Learned From Container Gardening
Balcony
If your condo unit has the luxury of a balcony, this is the perfect spot to create your own urban oasis. Plant your own container garden here, and create “levels” for visual interest by perching the plants on ledges or benches of different heights. You can even bring in a small potted tree—but check first if it fits into the service elevator of your condo.
READ: 5 Styling Tips For Your Balcony
Vertical
If you have a smaller balcony or a tiny front yard, a vertical garden is another option. You can buy a wire plant hanger like this at major hardware stores and at Dapitan Arcade. “For vertical gardens, you may opt to repurpose old furniture or a discarded plastic bottle and then mount them vertically on a mesh wire hanger,” says Marvz.
READ: 10 Stunning Photos of Vertical Gardens and Green Walls
Edible
“Growing an herb or vegetable garden in an urban setting can be done, as long as these are situated in areas with a bit of direct sun. Even a tiny balcony can be a great place for a vertical vegetable garden. With readily available plant kits on the market, you can grow your own food right in your kitchen.”
To grow your own edible garden at home, try these growing kits.
Moss Walls
Marvz has recently been working on beautiful moss walls that are perfect indoors, which is great if you don't have a balcony or yard. These walls are also easy to care for. Moss walls are creating by carefully attaching live moss onto a panel, creating different patterns; the moss can also be dyed in different colors.
“Having a moss wall in your home can be a focal point, and it also filters air and provides good acoustics,” he explains. “Moss walls can be an alternative to vertical gardening, as these require little or no maintenance.”
If you want to learn more tips about city and container gardening, and know what types of plants are ideal for city homes, meet Marvz Conti in person in his talk about Urban Gardening at the Avida x Real Living Style Talks: Smart Urban Spaces on November 11, 2017, at the Avida Showroom at the 2nd floor of Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City. Register now by clicking here.
There will also be talks by industry experts architect Allen Oblena and interior designer James Razo about upcycling furniture, and how we can incorporate sustainable and energy-saving tricks in our own homes. Workshops and consultations are free!
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