2006_06_10_samgarden.jpgThis entry just in, from Samantha in Fair Oaks, SF. Samantha gardens on the small balcony of her second-story apartment. She writes:

"One of the appealing features of my studio apt is that it came with an unexplained sliding glass door onto a 2.5 by 9 foot balcony that looks at the side of the apt next door. It adds light into a smaller apt and a view of a great big white wall. So I turned it into living art."

There's more from Samantha after the jump. Please visit the whole garden before you vote!

As a reminder, the Greenest Thumb contest is open to all Bay Area and PNW gardens no smaller than a window box and no larger than 600 square feet. The deadline has been extended to Monday, June 19. Info on how to submit is here.

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"The balcony gets quite hot between the high wall and the glass doors so it's been hard to find the right plants. The succulents do well (this one just burst forth with several young shoots), but the annuals and perennials need a lot of watering, organic fertilizer, and care."

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"I also tried to adopt plants that I see around in the Mission district like a climbing honeysuckle in the corner, a jasmine that hangs off the two foot long open area of the balcony, and a star jasmine. Since I tend to go for greens and whites. I also hung some glazed pots for added color - the sedum here grows better than the various trailing flowering plants that got taken by aphids. This spring I have decided to add more color and recently planted some pink verbina."

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"I love tinkering around out there on the weekend when the sun comes pouring down mid-day. It's always a work in progress."

Thanks, Samantha!