From Balcony to Herb Oasis with Urban Gardening

The house is built, freshly painted, and fully furnished. Now, all that's missing is your own garden. However, since a newly built house often comes with a yard that looks more like a construction site than a garden, a good plan is essential.

Planning a garden from scratch offers the opportunity to start completely fresh. And it doesn’t matter whether a garden is simply being redesigned or entirely newly created.

Before creating a new garden, several important decisions should be made. The first step is determining what type of garden you want. Simply planting a variety of plants randomly is not the best approach. Instead, you have the opportunity to choose between different styles or even combine elements of multiple styles.

Before settling on a specific design, you should first decide whether your garden will primarily be a utility garden or a recreational garden. A utility garden typically includes vegetable beds and large planting areas, whereas a recreational garden often features a spacious lawn and a terrace. Of course, these two types can be combined, but the main purpose of the garden should guide your decision.

Each type of garden has its own requirements and specific tools that may be necessary. Creating a garden from scratch not only requires effort but also comes with costs. Future garden owners should also keep in mind that maintaining a garden is not a one-time task—it requires ongoing care. However, the reward is a green oasis where you can relax and unwind. And who knows? Your new garden might even produce a few delicious treats to enjoy.

If you have decided on a utility garden, the first step is to consider what you want to grow. A utility garden doesn’t exclude ornamental plants, so it’s essential to plan in advance where everything will be planted. The next steps involve creating garden beds, defining pathways, and seeking expert advice on the desired fruit and vegetable varieties. The best place for this is directly at the nursery when purchasing plants and seeds. Sellers can provide precise information on soil and location requirements, as well as which plants should not be grown next to each other.

Once the garden is planned, it's time to start planting. First, the beds are prepared and filled with the chosen crops. The rule of thumb is simple: plant what you like and enjoy. This could be classic choices such as tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, or strawberries. However, more exotic options like olive or lemon trees can also thrive in a utility garden. The key is ensuring they are adequately protected from frost in winter. With proper care, the garden can become a paradise of fresh, homegrown delights with no limits to culinary creativity.

A recreational garden is primarily characterized by a large lawn area. While this is not a must, it offers a variety of possibilities. Pets can graze on the grass, children can play soccer or tag, or you can simply lie down with a picnic blanket and enjoy the sun. No matter what purpose the recreational garden is used for, one thing is especially important: it should make you feel comfortable. That's why, in a recreational garden, everything you enjoy is allowed. The only thing to consider when creating a pond, pool, or similar features is that they may pose potential hazards to children, so access should be restricted. Additionally, no poisonous plants should be planted if small children live in the household or are visiting. Otherwise, you can plant small shrubs with treats in a recreational garden. Currants, blackberries, and others can not only be picked directly from the shrub, but they are also much healthier than gummy bears, cookies, and chips.