Renting on the 18th floor of an apartment block in Manchester, with nothing more than a balcony, Jason Williams never really considered gardening as a viable hobby.
But through lockdown Jason, AKA The Cloud Gardener, has shown that even urban outdoor spaces can be transformed into something magical – and he is now a RHS award-winning garden designer.
He spends his time showing people how to grow their own food and improve urban biodiversity and their mental health, whether it’s a patio, balcony or a shelf indoors.
Jason is on Instagram (@cloudgardeneruk) and will be at The Sustainability Show in Manchester Central on July 9. Below he shares how he got into it and how other people can too…
As a renter, did you used to think much about the benefits of an outdoor space?
I’ve lived in apartments for years and I never thought about using outdoor space until lockdown hit. This was when I realised how lucky I was to have outdoor space and used this period to purchase plants. That is how my balcony garden began.
What was your 18th-floor balcony like when you moved in?
It was barren, with nothing on it. Most of the balconies in my building looked the same. The eureka moment was lockdown when I thought this was such a waste of space. I began researching what I could grow with the outdoor space I had.
What’s your earliest memory of being interested in gardening?
I used to garden with my grandmother at her home in Croydon when I was younger, but I’ve always lived in a rented property and never used those skills until lockdown.
What’s the golden rule of working with something like a balcony – where should people start?
Always speak to the building management as a first step about your balcony weight limit. Each management team has different rules with weight, restrictions or even the colour of the plants. This is what I’ve come to learn as a balcony garden designer. You need to understand the restrictions and incorporate them into the design.
How did creating your balcony change your life?
It has helped with my mental health – my balcony is somewhere I go to reflect. Working with nature has a way of healing, especially when you live in the hustle of a busy big city such as Manchester.
When is the best time of day to be on the balcony?
My favourite time of day to enjoy the balcony is sunset. It’s a time when the day is almost over and no matter how you’re feeling or what worries you might have, on the balcony garden those worries seem insignificant when you see how vast things are.
It was the sunset view from my balcony that inspired the colour palette for my Chelsea Flower Show garden last year.
What challenges do renters face when it comes to gardening?
You have to build a garden that can be easily taken away with you. You can’t use fixtures or fittings as it’s not your space. You can’t put shelves on the wall so you need to find alternative ways to get the height or structure that you need, which can also be taken down and moved. But my garden is proof that it can be done.
The main aim of The Cloud Gardener is to show others they can do it, too.
Having plants in containers can help with transportation, but these can be expensive, so I’ve learnt to upcycle things I’ve found – repurposing old plastic totes, a whisky barrel for a pond, old oil tubs and containers to keep costs down.
What did you try that perhaps didn’t work with your balcony?
My balcony is south-facing, which means it gets a lot of sunlight and is significantly warmer than a ground-level balcony or garden.
Many of the things have gone to seed, so I’ve learnt to adapt gardening to be more drought-tolerant.
Is there a trick to maximising small spaces – how do we create the illusion of space?
Yes, vertical growing is key. In my garden, I have tall rose arches to maximise the space to grow roses, cucumbers and beans. I also have vertical herb towers to fit as much as I can into the small space.
Did you feel like a gardener living in such an urban environment?
Not when I started, because it’s such an unusual habitat and I endured a lot of failures. But through my failures, I had a greater understanding of the microclimate of my garden.
Now it’s thriving but I had to go through those mistakes and challenges. That’s what my social media account is all about: showing both the wins and failures to inspire others not to be afraid of trying new things.
What’s next – what else would you like to create?
I’ll be at The Sustainability Show at Manchester Central on July 9, where I’ll be hosting a free seed-swap in partnership with Mr Fothergill’s to give out seeds and containers to those attending, to get residents growing. I’ll also be giving a talk on how to turn the smallest space into a garden.
This year I’m working with the RHS on a campaign to make growing more accessible, as well as being an ambassador for the Thrive charity, connecting people with disabilities to nature. That’s something I am passionate about.
Jason’s balcony basics
1. Cherry tomatoes
These are great as they produce a good yield of fruit and are easy to take care of.
2. Herbs
Start with mint and thyme, as they’re almost unkillable and you can add to salads. Double win!
3. A bedding plant
Plants such as petunias offer lots of colours and variations and can cope with the wind, meaning they’re great for balconies.
4. Salvia
These have great flowers and are drought tolerant, meaning you don’t need to water them as much.
5. Lupins
Easy to grow in containers, and with a fabulous floral display, these get frequently get attacked by slugs so having them in containers is an extra barrier.
sustainabilityshow.co.uk
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source https://metro.co.uk/2023/05/09/from-high-rise-balconies-to-patios-gardening-tips-for-tiny-spaces-18748899/
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