Name: Robin Charlick Location: 77 Fifth Avenue, 11th floor, NYC
Type of space: apartment balcony
How did you do it?: The pegboard was originally bought to screen off the direct view into the neighbors' balconies, which weren't so nice to look at! I wanted peg board because when it's windy in the winter the wind whips against it and makes all kinds of noise, so hopefully this will let the wind through and not rip it off the railings. I attached the peg board with plastic ties (the ones that lock). The hanging baskets are held up with various sized hooks...
Recommended store, site, product or resource? I bought the peg board at Chinatown Building Supply, where they cut it to size. The hanging baskets are not fancy - from Home Depot - but they were cheap and lightweight (b/c I didn't think the hooks would hold heavier containers plus potting soil). All the flowers came from Union Square Green Market! The white planters are Ikea (again, cheap) and the pastel colored pots are vintage from the 1950's, which I have collected over the years. The green chairs are salvaged from the street, and the white table and chairs are Ikea.
(Thanks, Robin!)
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This is fabulous. Unfortunately, I don't have a metal balcony...mine is solid cement. Does anyone have an idea as to how I'd keep peg board from falling if there's nothing to tie it to? I'd love to use this for privacy from the buildings behind me. Thanks.
Oh! It's like a little oasis in the middle of the city! Absolutely wonderful! :)
Laura
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love the ikea pots! I have the same ones. I just drilled some holes in the bottom for drainage.
The peg board idea is brilliant!! Thanks for sharing.
Lovely! I'm so glad to see someone making use of their outdoor space in the city. I don't have a balcony, and am always so surprised at the many vacant, sad, derelict looking ones scrattered around the city. I'm jealous! :)
Thank you so much for the tip! I will give it a try.
i really like this... i'm hardly much of a gardener, but i like a little outdoor greenery. i'm hoping my next apartment will have a little stoop or balcony that i can use for this purpose. a lot of balcony gardens can easily look cluttered or junky - but the crisp white plant pots keep this space looking fresh and clean... definitely what i'll go for when i get the chance.
This is really nice!
Do you worry about the wind picking up something and dumping it on someone's head down below?
Ok, that is weird. So I am looking at the image and thinking "wow, that looks like my building" (just from looking at the railings...) Well it is!!! haha, hello neighbor! nice work, wish everyone did something like that! It sure beats the flowers from the deli downstairs!
What about your cutey-pie kitty? Don't you worry s/he'll take a tumble off the balcony? Those pidgeons can get pretty exciting! Seriously, I'd be terrified of letting my cat onto a balcony like that.
BAD idea for your cat to be on the balcony.
How did you get the table to be white? I have the same one and it's metal and terrible wood veneer that's clearly not weather-proof. I'd love to be able to use my table outside.
You can make the table white with some primer and metal spray paint.
Did you notice one of the other pictures in the main article about balcony gardens that used the guttering for planting? Imagine combining the peg board and the guttering!
You could attach peg board to cememt with a masonary drill bit-a tad permanent but if you took the time to treat the boards and make them weather proof it should work (if you plan on being there a while).
If you worry about downward spillage how about adding an outdoor rug? "New" astroturf comes in fun colors and would stop dirt and flowers from raining downward. Would even stop minor spills. I have been buying very inexpensive clearance rugs from Urban Outfitters for a bit of overlapping on the balcony. I even bought 4 Ikea rag throw rugs and through the magic of duct tape created a 4' x 10' area rug perfect for covering the patio.
Loved this post and the thoughts for making the balconey even better.
I love love love your garden!! and your kitty is SO cute!!
Wow spring is there and these fabulous picture get me ready to buy my plants buds.
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