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The Balcony Gardener
Isabelle Palmer has created a successful business from her ability to enliven any balcony, roof terrace, and window sill with her inventive gardening ideas.
In The Balcony Gardener she shows you how to do just the same. Discover how to make the most of your gardening plot, however confined, with Isabelle’s creative and inspiring projects, including creating a cocktail window box from which you can make your own delicious fruity drinks, recycling containers such as wine and fruit crates, and creating a country garden in the smallest urban space. You can also turn your balcony, roof terrace, or patio into an attractive space to dine and entertain with stylish lighting and furnishing ideas. With The Balcony Gardener’s uniquely different gardening ideas and practical advice, a lack of space won’t hold you back; you will soon transform your mini-patch into a fabulous green oasis.
In The Balcony Gardener she shows you how to do just the same. Discover how to make the most of your gardening plot, however confined, with Isabelle’s creative and inspiring projects, including creating a cocktail window box from which you can make your own delicious fruity drinks, recycling containers such as wine and fruit crates, and creating a country garden in the smallest urban space. You can also turn your balcony, roof terrace, or patio into an attractive space to dine and entertain with stylish lighting and furnishing ideas. With The Balcony Gardener’s uniquely different gardening ideas and practical advice, a lack of space won’t hold you back; you will soon transform your mini-patch into a fabulous green oasis.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published February 9, 2012
13 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 21, 2014
This book is good for getting ideas about what to do with a balcony or rooftop gardening/entertaining/relaxing space, but you would need a different reference to find information about choosing plants for your area and taking care of them. There is some basic information about potting soil, fertilizer, watering, and potential growing issues, and there are also some suggestions for varieties of plant to grow. However, the book is lacking important details such as how to keep plants over the winter. In northern climates, the plants would likely need to be moved inside to a sufficiently sunny spot, which is a major consideration when the garden space is attached to an apartment or condominium. Similarly, it does not cover replacing annual plants in planters, so it seems almost like the author thinks the entire garden would be replaced every year, despite the annual checklist at the beginning describing the tasks to perform in the fall and winter to keep the garden going. I would consider it a good starting point for someone who is thinking about undertaking such a project, but additional research is needed before actually laying out plans.
July 9, 2025
I hadn’t thought about considering structural integrity and weight as well as wind proofing when balcony gardening and even the brief mention will probably haunt my subconscious fears ever after following the guidance. Lots of other more lighthearted ideas and guidance too
January 27, 2021
This book is structured with 11 sections that explore various ways to create a balcony garden. The first section explores the gardening items we will need to garden, how to choose a colour range for our balcony plants and flowers, how to select decorative items for a balcony space and gardening tips: how to choose pots for plants and how to mix soil.
The second section looks at how to create our balcony garden into a theme (country garden+ shared space, lazy garden, evergreen window boxes, shared spaces, butterfly and bee window box, fragrant window boxes, terrarium gardens, water gardens and beach gardens).
The third section explores how we can be creative with our recycling, using household items, such as wine wooden boxes, metal boxes, bird cages and a pallet wall with plants growing out for it. All these recycled items can grow vegetables, foliage, flowers and plants, they make the balcony decorative.
The final section is my favourite part of the book. This section explores the plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables that are edible, it also explains how we can use the edible foods in our cooking. For example, planting a window herb box to add flavour to cooking meals with fish and chicken, planting mediterranean plants(chilli peppers, oregano, curry plant, marjoram, thyme and tomatoes in a wooden box to make a spiced herb chutney, planting a curry window box with various spices that can be used in cooking curries, a medicinal herbs (aloe vera, mint, chamolile, violets and lemon balm) planted in pots to improve peoples' health and a range of fruits and vegetables (strawberries, potatoes, courgette and scallions) planted in wooden boxes.
The final section explores ho we can enjoy our balcony, adding furniture, decorative lights, tea lanterns, seasonal baskets and Christmas decorations.
This book will be excellent to use in the classroom to inspire children to love gardening. This book links with the book 'The Extraordinary Gardener by Sam Boughton', the children could create their own balcony gardens in the classroom during an art lesson. They could design their balcony garden with recycled household items(wooden boxes, food tin cans, paint tin cans, wicker baskets etc) and decorations (fairy lights, bird cages and specific gardens to attract bees and butterflies).
The second section looks at how to create our balcony garden into a theme (country garden+ shared space, lazy garden, evergreen window boxes, shared spaces, butterfly and bee window box, fragrant window boxes, terrarium gardens, water gardens and beach gardens).
The third section explores how we can be creative with our recycling, using household items, such as wine wooden boxes, metal boxes, bird cages and a pallet wall with plants growing out for it. All these recycled items can grow vegetables, foliage, flowers and plants, they make the balcony decorative.
The final section is my favourite part of the book. This section explores the plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables that are edible, it also explains how we can use the edible foods in our cooking. For example, planting a window herb box to add flavour to cooking meals with fish and chicken, planting mediterranean plants(chilli peppers, oregano, curry plant, marjoram, thyme and tomatoes in a wooden box to make a spiced herb chutney, planting a curry window box with various spices that can be used in cooking curries, a medicinal herbs (aloe vera, mint, chamolile, violets and lemon balm) planted in pots to improve peoples' health and a range of fruits and vegetables (strawberries, potatoes, courgette and scallions) planted in wooden boxes.
The final section explores ho we can enjoy our balcony, adding furniture, decorative lights, tea lanterns, seasonal baskets and Christmas decorations.
This book will be excellent to use in the classroom to inspire children to love gardening. This book links with the book 'The Extraordinary Gardener by Sam Boughton', the children could create their own balcony gardens in the classroom during an art lesson. They could design their balcony garden with recycled household items(wooden boxes, food tin cans, paint tin cans, wicker baskets etc) and decorations (fairy lights, bird cages and specific gardens to attract bees and butterflies).
May 22, 2018
I really loved this book. Its been a real rock to me. I don't live in a flat or anything but if you lack a garden or green space, its good to learn how to maximise your space in pots and planters and how to use a colour scheme and have really good ideas. I found the style of the book was really handy too, very easy on the eyes and made reading this book easy and informative. I recommend this completely, even for virgin gardeners.
October 16, 2020
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I love the idea of having a large, sprawling garden but for now I have to be a bit more small-scale – this book was perfect inspiration, and I came away with it feeling like it’s fun to be able to come up with solutions for a smaller space rather than a chore which I think is the best thing a book like this could’ve done. It also has lots of pictures which is always my favourite part of any gardening book.
Greer - The Book Grocer
I love the idea of having a large, sprawling garden but for now I have to be a bit more small-scale – this book was perfect inspiration, and I came away with it feeling like it’s fun to be able to come up with solutions for a smaller space rather than a chore which I think is the best thing a book like this could’ve done. It also has lots of pictures which is always my favourite part of any gardening book.
Greer - The Book Grocer
November 19, 2019
This was a quick read. The book had lots of pictures which helped provide ideas. The information was not too detailed so this book would be for someone who had more experience with plants. Most of the examples provided are for small window boxes on your deck or balcony.
August 1, 2017
Cute ideas but needs more practical information.
May 2, 2018
If you want to transform your drab balcony or terrace into a little green oasis this book could give you some ideas !
June 5, 2018
nice inspirations - not an extensive reference.
April 10, 2021
Very creative with great photos. I enjoyed looking at it. I think I will check other books for more practical ideas.
June 18, 2022
I loved the pictures and got some great ideas from her advice.
November 5, 2012
Great ideas and very creative
October 3, 2014
Lots of design ideas, but not much on care of plants.
July 1, 2016
It seems a great book for plants and ideas IF you have a relatively large outdoor space AND a sunny spot. For me, with a shady and small balcony, it was not terribly helpful.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews