It’s almost time – summer is just around the corner. How about a trip to your balcony? Whether it’s breathing in the fresh air in the morning or relaxing in the evening. Let’s be honest, this is where we love to spend our time, and we can’t wait to spend our summer evenings there.
We are definitely ready for summer, sun, and good vibes, but is your balcony ready too, or is it more of a place teeming with dirt and creepy-crawlies? It’s time to tidy up! With these 6 tips, nothing will stand in the way of your vacation on your balcony:
1. Clean Sweep: Say Goodbye to Dirt and Clogged Drains
Anyone who thinks that dirt adds to the outdoor charm of a balcony is mistaken. Dirt belongs in the trash and must be removed regularly. If this is not done, it can lead to serious problems: accumulated leaves or dirt particles quickly clog the balcony drain.
Our cleaning tip: get rid of stains and dirt in a matter of minutes with the help of a garden hose. Not only is this great fun, but it also provides passers-by with a welcome cooling effect on hot days. And who can say no to that in summer?
2. Keep Insects Away the Natural Way
Whether in the garden or on the balcony, creatures are crawling and flying everywhere. When these little creatures tumble into our lemonade or freshly grilled food and make their way into our homes, they usually become unpleasant companions.
The solution is simpler than you might think: you can repel flying insects and crawling creatures with scents. Essential oils and scented candles not only help with insects, but also enhance summer barbecues with friends.
The cherry on top of our ice cream sundae: the scents also repel annoying mosquitoes! Cinnamon, lemon balm, and lavender are the best at keeping the little bloodsuckers away from us. Crawling insects will give your balcony a wide berth if you brush it with a few drops of clove oil.
3. Turn Your Balcony into a Mini Vegetable Paradise
An apple a day… Fruit and vegetables are among our main foods in summer. Not only are they easy on the stomach, but they also protect against unwanted summer colds! The rule of thumb is: the more local, the better.
So get your hands dirty and become a real hobby gardener. Your balcony is perfect for it! All you need is sufficient sun, large plant pots, soil (preferably fertilized), plenty of water, and a well-ventilated balcony, as well as your choice of vegetables, of course.
Radishes, leaf lettuce, beans, tomatoes, and herbs of all kinds are best suited for the home balcony. Our absolute favorite in summer: strawberries! It’s best to plant them in humus-rich, loose soil and give the berries a mix of sunbathing and breaks in partial shade.
With a little luck (and patience), you can proudly claim that your homemade salad at the next barbecue is home-grown!
4. Watch Out for Water Damage: Protect Your Balcony from Mold
Water damage can quickly put an end to your balcony vacation. Some balconies are made of wood, while others have delicate steel frames. Both materials are particularly susceptible to water damage.
Therefore, water damage has an easy time of it, especially with these two materials. If care is not taken, the material may rust or mold, and our planned balcony vacation will fall through.
We recommend: Take action at the slightest sign of water damage (e.g., cracks in the surface, discoloration, and stains)! If you want to be on the safe side, you can simply use a clothesline to hang balcony blinds or a plastic tablecloth. This will protect your balcony in rainy weather.
5. Choose the Right Plants for Your Balcony
A flowery affair: Anyone who thinks that flowers are a woman’s thing is mistaken! According to Men’s Health magazine, 51% of men have plants on their balconies, yet 35% of them do not know what kind of plants they are dealing with.
The selection of flowers and plants in hardware stores is simply too large, which often makes it difficult to make a decision. We recommend climbing plants such as ivy or vines! They give the balcony a certain charm.
What’s more, with these plants, you don’t have to worry about pots being knocked over by strong winds. Another tip: bright flower colors attract bees. If you don’t want to share your balcony with bees, it’s better to decorate it with darker flowers.
6. Add Personal Touches to Decorate Your Balcony
A balcony without decorative birds and garden gnomes is eye-catching. These little accessories not only look beautiful, but decorative owls and fake wasp nests keep pigeon droppings and annoying wasps away from the balcony. We also advise against covering your balcony with carpet, as this quickly traps moisture.
You can also easily make your own decorations. There are no limits to your creativity here. How about homemade flower pots made from eggshells, for example? That’s right, half-empty eggshells are perfect for germinating seeds from plants and flowers.
Simply fill the shells with some soil, make a small hole with your finger, add some seeds, and water. Place the eggs on your balcony – why not make a whole collection and store your plant eggs in an egg carton!
