Balcony Garden- November 2011

Just one side of my balcony.

New Start

I have been ignoring this blog a lot, but now I am ready to give it a little more love. After some consideration I have decided to expand this blog into other areas of interest. I have renamed the blog name from "Tyme to Grow" to "Green Urban Life" to reflect this change.

I plan to continue blogging about my garden and plants, but I also want to focus more on substainable living practices. I want to showcase other urban gardens and encourage the consumption of local and homegrown food.

House Plants August 2011

The amazing elephant pot was found sitting next to the apartment complex trash. It is in perfect condition with no cracks or chips. Such a great find!

Trachelospermum Asiaticum: Variegated Asian Jasmine

This is a hardy plant with beautifully variegated white and green leaves.
Commonly used as a ground cover, can also be trained to trellises and fences.
Invasive in some climates/zones if not properly up kept and controlled.
Medium water requirements.
I bought this as a solution to the drought. It is heat tolerant and I only water it once or twice a week and it continues to thrive.

Newest Plant- Mandevilla 'Sunparaprero'

Here is my newest addition to my balcony garden. Another clearance rack find, this flowering vine stole my heart. It has beautiful bright flowers against a dark foliage. I'm hoping the bees will love it as much as me.

Mandevilla 'Sunparaprero'

Aloe Vera & Sempervivum

I bought this Aloe Vera last year from the dead plant section aka clearance rack. It was struggling to stay alive, so much that I almost didn't make the purchase. But the price was so low I couldn't justify not buying it. Now it is doing quite well.

Although this Sempervivum, Red Heart Hen and Chicks, was expensive I could not resist its beautiful colors. Unfortunately the red has since faded and the plant is now solid green. At least it is a hardy plant that will tolerate the extreme heat of my balcony and requires little watering.

2011 Growing Season

This year I do not have the luxury of yard, instead I am confined to my small balcony. Although this is slighty disappointing, there is still plenty of growing oppertunity and won't be the first time. Balcony gardening is what I originally began with 4 years ago.
I also have moved to a new zone. Last year I was in zone 9, this year is zone 8.
I have quite a few things growing regardless of the space restrictions. This year I am growing more ornamental plants that I had intended.

Here is a list of everything currently growing on the balcony.

Salvia
Petunia
Celosia
Dwarf French Marigold
Primrose
Mum
Miniature rose
Lilium- Commander in Chief
Wildflower Mix
Fort Hill Creeping Phlox
Boston Fern
Dusty Miller
English Ivy
Variegated Vica Vine
Purple Elephant Ear
Red Heart Hens and Chicks


Rosemary
Garlic Chives
Variegated Lemon Thyme
Pineapple Sage
Sweet Basil
Chocolate Mint
Ginger Mint

Arugula
Lettuce- Grand Rapids
Spinach Mustard

Garlic
Sugar Snap Pea
Marglobe Tomato
Early Girl Tomato
Chantenay Carrot

Quinault Strawberry
Myer Lemon
Pineapple

I have more plants I would like to grow this year, but currently do not have the containers for them nor have I figured out a good arrangement to optimize my space.

As it gets hotter some of my plants that aren't so heat tolerant will be switched out with others. During the hot summer I plan to have pepper plants, which thrive in summer heat.
I am also already working on my fall and winter plans, this year I'm going to be well prepared to make sure growing goes smoothly and I can collect all the seeds I want before planting time.