The Balcony
When I first moved to this apartment, I was worried about having such small space for all my plants. Being in the field of maintenance for an apartment complex, I had the advantage of having my own tools and supplies to get creative. So I built an extension ledge just behind the balcony ledge:
I found a 1x6 board, measured the full length of the balcony opening, and fastened the board up to the back of the balcony ledge held by ‘L’ brackets:
I did think ahead (could have been a disaster if I didn’t, lol) and knew that the weight of the plants could never be held by just ‘L’ brackets. So in the center and both ends, I fastened the 1x6 board to rest on two 4x4 posts and a 2x4 in the center:
Now I was able to put almost twice as many plants on the balcony ledge with the extension! It’s holding good so far.
Now yes, looking closely, you can see round Christmas lights that I fastened along the ledge of the extension board. I have the lights plugged into a timer, and they turn on at almost nine pm, and turn back off at about a quarter ‘til seven am:
At the end of the string of Christmas lights, I attached a Homedic machine. I don’t really know how to describe it other than that pre-recorded sounds machine, options being “sounds of the ocean, rainforest, birds chirping” etc.:
And to complete the ambience of my peaceful little place, how could it not be complete without a small pond?
...at night...
Even though the water is constantly moving and being recycled, I still wanted to make sure it remained clear and have no dead bugs floating around in it. So I have 4 inch chlorine tablets used for pools, and every now and then I'll cut a chunk off and throw it into the pond.
Oh, I almost forgot! I have five solar power path lights that I put strategically in plants across the balcony as well:
Hanging in the center of the balcony opening is my hummingbird feeder:
I have had only one hummingbird feed from this so far. I have named him Zippy, because in the first week or so of him beginning to visit, he would “zip” up to the feeder, hold position for only a few seconds, then zip away.
I did some research and read how Indiana is home to only three types of hummingbirds, so I feel lucky to have at least one visitor. On Father’s Day alone, Zippy fed from the feeder every half hour from six a.m. to about nine p.m. I was very happy as I felt he was finally trusting the food for him and my balcony.
I will speak more about Zippy in future blogs as well as show my entire plant family! :)
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