Early roots: where it all began
My first gardening experience was when I was probably two years old, when I was playing around in our garden with my Dad in Africa. He taught me about nature, from wildlife to the wonders beneath the soil. All his composting was made with worms, garden waste, and rabbit droppings, which he used to spread onto the garden to produce every plant and fruit tree imaginable.
I loved the worms, the birds, the bees, cats, dogs, tortoise, rabbits, butterflies, pigeons … I’m sure you get the message. I got the bug for gardening at an early age, and it has remained with me ever since.
I have always had large gardens, living throughout Africa, America, Mexico and England, each having their own diverse, and amazing botanicals.
But now, in my aging years, I have a lovely apartment with a maintainable, pretty balcony with 22 pots on it in good old England!
My balcony garden
The plants that I have on my balcony are a mixture of scented roses and lavender, amongst many other beautiful plants, which the pollinators are loving.
A fuchsia tree stands next to my trellis which has lobelia, petunias and creeping jenny. A little blackbird visits three to four times a day to fill his belly and next to the feeder I’ve hung a rain chain, so the water I am catching is also giving him his daily hydration.
Further along the top of my balcony I have some very full, multicoloured planters, with lobelia, marigolds, busy lizzies, and salvia, with geraniums underneath them to catch the excess water. These plants are also attracting wildlife.
A sustainable space
I recycle the water from my condenser clothes dryer as often as possible, which certainly does accumulate rather rapidly.
I managed to recycle a birdcage, which is now the home to an Amaryllis plant, which I am nurturing through its photosynthesis and will bring it in during the cooler months.
I love my little seating area, surrounded by ferns and a Camelia and another recycled pot, which I have transformed into a whimsical planter.
My space, my haven.
Small joys and daily rituals
I have recently started keeping my deadheads, which I do every day, and will shortly be making it into potpourri and pressing some of the petals for bookmarks.
My balcony also comes alive at night with my solar powered lanterns making it an all-day and night environment.
Many hours have been spent out there, day and night and even when my brain can’t switch off in the early hours of the morning, I just sit outside and feel a sense of calm.
Gardening and community
For the past two years I have helped in our communal garden and have participated in Britain in Bloom and achieved two great awards.
I have had a broken foot this summer, so I did not help in the gardens this year but look forward to rejoining the group next year when we hope to achieve another award.
Final thoughts
Gardening plays such an important role on one’s wellbeing, even doctors are now recommending it - so plant, plant and plant some more.
My Mother and Father would always tell me this phrase...
I hope you have enjoyed my little trip down my memory lane and remember that no space is too small to enjoy - so be happy and garden.
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