Turn your balcony into an urban oasis

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By Barbara Lawlor

ARE YOU A GREENTHUMB living in or moving into a condominium suite? The great news is, you can still live out your passion for gardening as long as you have a balcony or terrace. The growing season is upon us, and condo owners are planting containers in full force with everything from flowers to herbs and veggies. Yes, veggies. Imagine stepping out onto your balcony and plucking cherry tomatoes fresh from the vine! Oh, and is there anything better than fresh-picked basil for the perfect pesto sauce, sage to enhance the flavour of turkey dressing, mint to go into a refreshing summer drink, or oregano to take an Italian meal from good to spectacular?
And let’s talk aesthetics! Nowadays, nurseries carry a kaleidoscope of pots and containers in styles from traditional to contemporary, made from a variety of materials. And the containers are just the beginning — choose from trellises, flower boxes, decorative fencing, water features and a multitude of other ‘eye candy’ that can transform your personal outdoor space into a glorious extension of your living area. Perhaps you dream of an English garden? Cluster annuals of varying colours in ornate planters and intersperse them with greenery. Maybe you prefer a modern minimalist look? Opt for planter boxes with clean lines and add ornamental grasses with an occasional feature flower.
Be sure to ask the professionals at garden centres which plants will do well in highrise elements. Consider the direction your balcony faces and when it gets sun as well as how windy it is at your height. You will be amazed at how many hardy plants there are that will thrive in the face of partial shade and high winds. A south-facing balcony, for example, may be an excellent spot for growing geraniums and other annuals. If you face north, ferns and decorative grasses can add lovely greenery. Have fun exploring your options.
The condo gardening trend has expanded to include rooftop oases with barbecue and dining areas. Some even include full-size trees to create a true backyard eŒffect for residents. Of course, these amenities also feature incredible views of the city and/or lake. Rooftop gardens oŒ er a natural retreat and add to the greenery of Toronto’s urban landscape. They can even help reduce air pollution. Rooftop gardens have a cooling eŒffect on the building during the summer, and they can help to insulate it during the winter months. Green roofs are also beneficial for stormwater runoŒff. Taking the concept even further, some condominium communities include actual garden spaces where owners can grow flowers, vegetables and fruit in larger plots. You can’t eat more locally than that!
Condo developers continue to add elements that enhance the green aspects of condominiums. It all contributes to reducing the buildings’ carbon footprint, and creating a more convenient and comfortable lifestyle for suite owners. Remember that the food items we grow at home are fresher and healthier, and our eŒfforts help to reduce the natural resources used by having to transport food over long distances.
The point is that highrise condominium residents can still feel an intimate connection with nature through gardening. It is wonderful to plant something in soil and watch it grow. I always say that condo amenities are extensions of your living space. Decades ago, who would have thought that someday these would include areas for planting and harvesting? Today’s possibilities are endless. By all means, if you live in a condo or will be moving into one, consider furnishing your balcony or terrace with more than a table and chairs. Join hands with Mother Nature and create your own urban oasis.
 
Barbara Lawlor is president of Baker Real Estate Inc., and an in-demand columnist and speaker. A member of the Baker team since 1993, Barbara oversees the marketing and sale of condominium developments in the GTA and overseas.
Original source: New Homes & Condos – July 8-22nd.