What to do with a balcony

A great many balconies hold a drying rack and nothing else, which is a waste of the only outdoor space a household has.

The obstacles

Worth naming, since each has a solution.

Wind, which at height is stronger and more constant than at ground level, dries containers rapidly and damages plants.

Sun exposure, which on a south-facing balcony can be extreme and on a north-facing one minimal.

Weight limits, which are real and which few people check.

Drainage, since water running onto a neighbour below causes genuine problems.

Rules, since many leases and building regulations restrict what may be placed on a balcony.

Storage, since outdoor items need somewhere to go in winter.

Addressing each

Wind: screening on the windward side, using mesh or slatted material rather than solid, which reduces wind without creating turbulence or acting as a sail.

Heavy low containers rather than tall light ones, and plants chosen for wind tolerance — grasses, small shrubs, herbs such as rosemary and thyme rather than large-leaved plants.

Sun: assess honestly across the day before buying anything, and select accordingly.

Shade sails, umbrellas or a climbing plant on a trellis provide relief on an exposed balcony.

Weight: check with the building management for anything substantial.

Wet compost is heavy, and a row of large containers plus furniture and people can be a meaningful load.

Lighter compost mixes, smaller containers and placing weight near the wall rather than at the outer edge all help.

Drainage: saucers or trays under all containers, and awareness of where any overflow goes.

Rules: check the lease, since restrictions on fixings, on hanging items over the edge and on barbecues are common.

What to put there

Depending on what the space is for.

Somewhere to sit, which is what most balconies lack and which determines whether the space is used at all.

Folding furniture, a small bistro set, or a bench with storage beneath.

A balcony without a chair will not be used regardless of what else is on it.

Plants, arranged with height at the back and trailing at the edge, using railing planters and wall fixings to keep floor space clear.

Screening for privacy, which for an overlooked balcony is what makes it usable.

Lighting, which extends use into the evening and which solar or battery options make straightforward without wiring.

A surface, even a small one, for a cup or a plate.

The vertical opportunity

Where a small balcony gains most.

Railing planters, which use no floor.

Wall-mounted pots and pockets, subject to any restrictions on fixings.

Trellis with climbers, which provides screening and greenery from a small container.

Tiered stands, which multiply the growing area.

And hanging containers, secured properly, since a falling pot from height is a serious hazard.

Plants that suit exposed balconies

The tolerant ones.

Ornamental grasses, which move well in wind and tolerate drought.

Mediterranean herbs — rosemary, thyme, sage, lavender — which want sun, sharp drainage and little water.

Sedums and other succulents for hot dry positions.

Pelargoniums, which flower through the season and tolerate neglect.

Compact evergreens for structure through winter.

And for shade, ferns, ivy and hostas, which suit a north-facing space better than anything requiring sun.

The maintenance

Realistic expectations.

Container plants need watering, feeding and occasional repotting, and in summer the watering is daily.

Which means the scale should match the attention available, and that a small number of well-kept containers is better than a full balcony that is neglected by August.

Automatic irrigation on a timer, fed from a tap or a reservoir, is worth considering for anyone away frequently.

The rules that apply

Worth checking before spending anything.

Leases and tenancy agreements frequently restrict what may be attached to railings or walls, what may be stored outside, and whether barbecues are permitted.

Many buildings prohibit anything hung on the outside of a railing, for obvious reasons, and insurers take a firm view of items falling from height.

Weight limits on balconies are real, and saturated compost is heavy — a large planter can weigh more than an adult.

Water draining onto a neighbour below is the most common source of complaint, and saucers under everything prevents it.

And fire regulations in many jurisdictions now restrict what may be stored on balconies in blocks of flats, which is worth reading rather than assuming.

General information only, not professional advice. Check your lease and building regulations, and consult building management about weight limits and fixings.