Creating a Patio Garden

I have a few friends who happen to live in a large apartment building that love to garden. Unfortunately, they are not able to have a large garden themselves. When they wanted to create a garden, they decided to use a patio garden. Over the years, they have been able to create a truly wonderful garden space that not only enhances their home, but doesn't annoy the neighbors. Here are a few guidelines that they used to accomplish that goal.

• Rules. When creating a patio garden in an apartment, or a rental property, one of the most important things to understand is the rules. Not all properties will allow you to begin a garden. Usually this is because of a fear of damage to the property in some way, shape, or form. In order for you to avoid a potentially angry landlord, be sure that you check prior to beginning your garden whether you can actually do it. You do not want to spend money that you cannot afford to lose, get an angry landlord, and possibly be asked to move out all because of a wish to garden.
• Location. Where is it that you will be having for your garden? Unfortunately, some locations will not be particularly suitable for all plants. Be sure that you know the direction that your potential gardening space is facing, and which plants will grow best in that kind of exposure. This will help you to plan out the best possible patio garden.
• Space. How much space do you have to work with? To truly be able to create as nice of a garden as possible, be sure that you know the footage you have to work with. Remember that plants, containers, and all the paraphernalia associated with gardening will take up space. Be sure that you maximize the space you have available to the best of your ability.
• Design. Take time to draw out a "blue print" of what you want your patio garden to look like. By taking the time to draw it out, you can get a better overall picture of what the end result will look like, as well as give you an idea of the amount of work it will take to make that picture a reality.
• Maintenance. Keep in mind that patio gardens are not usually covered by any rental agreement. This means that you will need to perform the maintenance and up keep of the patio garden yourself. You should plan accordingly and keep in mind your general skill level, while providing some room for growth as your skill level improves.