NYC terrace gardening
Jill Milhorat
2 years ago
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Jill Milhorat
2 years agoRelated Discussions
Iris in containers on NYC terrace - any advice?
Comments (4)It really takes a large pot for success. Yes, dump the peat moss. I suspect the Miracle Grow potting mix might have been too rich. Every time I have used MG, even with a fraction of the recommended ratio of MG to water, I have induced tons of rot. Your garden will look good and the bloom will be great using MG, but just wait a few weeks until the weather warms and then comes more rot than you can handle. Walter Moores...See MoreNeed help for terrace garden
Comments (4)Here in Chicago in shady spots we grow containers with a variety of items as to balance out the stuff that works with the stuff that doesnt. Japanese forest grass, ferns, hosta, creeping jenny astilbe makes for a good outside perennial pot. Check a local garden store for shade tolerant options....See MoreFinding Compost in NYC for Lasagna Gardening
Comments (12)It's too shallow for the lasagna method which should be built much higher and compacts pretty quickly over time. I think my first beds compacted from 24" to 12" over winter. What about doing worm composting and adding that to bagged potting soil? I googled "salad tables" which are shallow and saw soiless potting soil recommended. I saw a salad table at the Maine Common Ground Fair and was amazed at how much was produced....See MoreGrowing Roses in outdoor containers on NYC terrace
Comments (5)You will need to consider the wind speed, strength and direction when selecting containers and placing them. A heavy pot filled with wet soil can weigh a great deal and may well result in some issues with the balcony. I would think choosing foam containers would be a bit safer for the building (AND your back) and easier to handle. Imagine having to drag larger, heavier pots into and up the building to your balcony... The foam is tremendously lighter and will act as an ice chest, insulating the soil ball from both overheating due to direct sun rays shining on the pot sides as well as the cold freezing the root ball solid and potentially damaging or killing the plants. The only down sides I can think of would be strong winds potentially blowing a fully leafed out bush over on its side and how they aren't as long-lasting as ceramic types (unless THEY are blown over and broken by the fall, or frozen and split). You should also consider how the sun will shine on any walls and how you place the plants in proximity to them. A masonry wall is a passive solar collector, reflecting, absorbing and radiating a remarkable amount of heat over quite a length of time. Depending upon the exposure, it may well be possible to cook the plants simply by placing them against or too close to a hot wall. Being potted can exacerbate the issue due to the soil ball also absorbing that heat, where roots in the ground remain at a fairly constant temperature and moisture, and potentially cooking the root ball. Add the hotter, drier air from the reflected/radiated heat and increased wind will also increase water stress issues which will increase potential disease susceptibility and spider mite and thrips attacks. The insects blow in the wind from infested plants and drop out of the air wherever they happen to fall, as well as traveling on birds, rodents and people. Have you also given thought to how you are going to handle the drainage water? I know it is often considered desirable to put saucers under pots to trap that water for reuse, but it can quickly become quite "salty" from the dissolved minerals in the irrigation water, soil and any fertilizers you happen to use. Ideally, that water would drain out and go elsewhere so the mineraIs and salts don't build up and eventually damage the plants. I don't think you want that water simply leaking out of the pot drains on to the surface of the balcony as it WILL stain it. If you rent/lease, the owner is going to ding you for the surface restoration. If you own, that damage is something you may eventually pay for when you sell. What you want to do CAN be done, but there are issues to be considered for success. Good luck!...See More
getgoing100_7b_nj
2 years ago
petrushka (7b)
2 years agoJill Milhorat
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agoJill Milhorat
last yearOh my Goodness! This is wonderful -- thank you! My rooftop garden has really blossomed into a beautiful oasis thanks to so many people with suggestions.
I will post current pics shortly. Attached is a small portion of my indoor garden. These are the 100% recyclable Wally planters. This is my "Wall of Strawberries": While watching a movie you pick strawberries as a snack.
Jill
Jill Milhorat
last yearlast modified: last yearHere are some photos I just took of the terrace (downtown New Rochelle, NY). I'm shocked as everything is growing faster and better than I imagined. I'm not a good photographer, so the pics don't nearly do it justice.
Jill
getgoing100_7b_nj
last yearJill Milhorat
last yeargetgoing100_7b_nj
last yearJill Milhorat
last year
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