Photo by Andrew Montgomery.
Starting a balcony garden or, in my case, a fire escape garden has been on my to-do list for years now. Growing up in Buffalo, one of my favorite things about spring and summer was watching flowers bloom in my family’s front yard. Once the tulips and daffodils began rearing their colorful little heads, I knew that it was officially spring. There’s something peaceful and beautiful about sitting out on the front porch on a hot summer day, watching bees move from flower to flower and listening to the subdued hum of life happening. Although I’m not sure a fire escape garden, small by definition, would match the lush beauty of a full yard, I’ve been desperate to recapture some of this green, summertime romance in my Brooklyn apartment. The only problem: I don’t know the first thing about gardening, let alone gardening for small spaces.
Enter Isabelle Palmer, Balcony Gardener Extraordinaire. The author of The Balcony Gardener and proprietor of a garden supply company of the same title, Isabelle has made a name for herself by providing easy and concise lessons to aspiring urban gardeners. Based in the UK, Isabelle is familiar with the pitfalls that face many a container gardening enthusiast, especially those working in four-seasoned climates. With her relaxed, go-with-the flow approach, clever tips, and talent for creating stunning urban gardens out of underutilized spaces, Isabelle Palmer shows that balcony gardening is not just rewarding, but totally accessible. Isabelle was kind enough to talk with us about her own balcony garden and some of her favorite gardening products— just in time for your own balcony garden planning! Check out the full interview after the jump! —Max
