Home gardening - bring nature into the home: turn the balcony and windowsill into green spaces

When life is pressing and a small corner is needed, when the urban lifestyle becomes crowded and in concrete colors, many dream of a green piece of nature inside the house. Living in an apartment in dense urban areas evokes a longing for nature, for a green and calm landscape, and gardening on the balcony has become a perfect solution. It succeeds not only in small apartments and not only to ventilate the feeling of crowding, but also in larger apartments, to give the feeling that nature has entered the home. This trend of reconnecting with nature through a balcony is gaining momentum, and for good reason - it combines mental, physical and ecological benefits.

Years ago you could walk through Haifa and other cities and see on the balconies the "pilas", those tins that contained olives or pickles, and spices and vegetables were grown inside. Then it disappeared, the houses became concrete towers and the balconies were closed. In recent years it has returned. This need to connect with nature even if you are in an apartment, the desire to grow some of the food so that it is healthy and accessible and satisfying. A small balcony, a sunny windowsill, or even a hydroponic garden against one of the walls can become lively growing areas. With a little creativity and investment, you can grow plants, vegetables, and spices that will bring freshness and health into the home.

Working with plants - contact with the soil

It has many advantages. Working with plants, touching the soil, cultivating and sowing are a kind of activity simulating meditation in motion. A gathering for a creative process dedicated to gardening. For a moment we disconnect from the screens, the tension is more and the creative peace brings joy into the everyday.

To see the plant sprout from the tomato seeds you put in the pot, after day after day you talked to it and encouraged it to grow, to see the end of the celery you chopped take root and put out new leaves, or the plant you planted grow and develop, gives a feeling of satisfaction and happiness. If it is an edible plant, the happiness increases when it is used in a dish. "This is mint from the garden," the person who will prepare the tea for you will tell you, "this is a tomato from the pot, and the pepper grows here, right here," he will explain about the salad. There is pride in the crops, like a desire to show the wonder to everyone, and also a reminder that effort and investment bear fruit - literally.

Reconnecting to nature and simplicity

Even in an apartment in the middle of the city, gardening brings us back to our roots and reminds us of the possibility of connecting with nature and the natural cycle of life. Growing vegetables and herbs yourself is not only a financial saving, but also a way to ensure that the food is organic, free of chemicals and sprays. It's easy to grow plants like basil, rosemary, mint and cherry tomatoes, even on a small balcony, giving yourself and your family access to a healthy diet and appreciation for every leaf and plant. As we grow the food, there is a higher chance that we will appreciate it, waste less and enjoy every taste, because the vegetables and spices we grow will be full of love, and will always feel fresher than those in stores.

cheater She works in customer service at a mobile company. "It's high pressure, people are calling, asking for quick solutions, angry, I have to be on high alert. When I come home I'm exhausted and the little garden I made on the windowsill is the healing space for me. I talk to the plants, caress them, feel like they're my children I'm happy for every new leaf that comes out, not to mention a vegetable that starts to ripen, it's a corner of peace in my crazy world."

In a world that is becoming more and more digital and disconnected from nature, gardening brings us back to simplicity and basics. It reminds us of the importance of nature's cycles, our responsibility towards the environment and the magic that life begins with a small seed. It's a simple way to contribute to ecology. It is possible to reuse water, integrate smart irrigation systems, create home compost from organic waste and use the mixture of peels and plant residues as a natural fertilizer. In addition, plants and flowers attract bees and butterflies that help restore the local ecosystem. Balcony gardening is not only a way to add beauty to the home, but also personal therapy, a contribution to the environment and a way to reconnect with the earth, even when you don't have a private yard. The calmness and peace of dealing with plants and seedlings frees the head and the heart from the unnecessary burden.

How to begin?

The balcony is an ideal place to start a home garden. You can combine pots of various sizes and shapes, and use old tools that are no longer in use, after perforating the bottom for drainage. You can grow colorful flowers, spice plants, and even vegetables like cherry tomatoes or peppers. It is important to match the types of plants to the light and shade conditions on the balcony, and to make sure to use high-quality soil and appropriate fertilization.

You can collect kernels and seeds from vegetables and fruits that you consume. If you spread a tomato, collect its seeds; The same goes for cucumbers, peppers and other vegetables. Put the seeds in a pot and place it on the windowsill or on the balcony. In the case of celery, chop the bottom and soak it in a glass of water. After a few days you will see the beginning of new roots and leaves. You can try rooting branches of mint and other plants, and when they develop roots, transfer them to a pot.

For those who have limited space but want to grow a lot, a hydroponic garden is an excellent solution. With the help of a closed water system and artificial lighting, green leaves such as lettuce, spinach and kale can be grown without the need for soil. This is a method that saves water and space, which is especially suitable for small apartments.

To get started, you can buy seeds of easy-to-grow plants such as mint, basil or lettuce. Hanging pots, wooden boxes, and tin boxes with holes in the bottom can be used as a growing medium. It is recommended to add shelves or hang the pots to make the most of the space. In addition, there are many Facebook groups that can provide knowledge and tips for improving the home garden.

It is useful to recycle and upgrade available materials: cut up beverage cartons and use them as small pots for the initial germination stage. Collect vessels of various sizes and colors, punch holes in the bottom for drainage, and fill them with high-quality soil for planting.

In winter, you can plant lettuce, cauliflower and broccoli. In spring and summer it is recommended to plant tomatoes, peppers and zucchini. Autumn is suitable for winter flowers such as cyclamen and carnations, while in spring you should plant summer flowers such as geraniums and petunias. Small citrus trees, such as lemon and dwarf orange, are recommended for planting in autumn or spring, in large pots located on a bright balcony.

come back and believe in myself

A sunny windowsill can be used as a small garden for herbs. Small pots or recycled dishes can be used as planters, and they also add a decorative touch to the window. The advantage is that you can easily access the plants while staying in the kitchen, and enjoy the spice umbrellas while cooking. Herbs are the stars of home gardening. Basil, parsley, cilantro, and sage are plants that are easy to grow, and can be incorporated into everyday cooking. The most important tip is to maintain moderate watering and a location that allows sunlight to reach the plants.

A small but significant transformation in the home garden is the rooting of vegetables. Green onions, celery, and garlic are examples of vegetables that can be re-rooted in water and planted in the ground. Sowing tomato seeds, peppers, or even an avocado seed can become a fascinating hobby and contribute to home sustainability.

Adi He went through a difficult period of depression after losing his job. One day, while walking in the market, he saw cherry tomato seedlings and decided to try and plant them on his small balcony. Over time, he discovered that taking care of plants helps him find meaning and fill his time with positive activity. "I would get up every morning and take care of the plants," says Adi. "It became a moment of peace and calm in the middle of all the chaos. Seeing the first tomatoes ripen was like receiving a gift from nature, and it restored my faith in myself and my ability to create something good." Today, Adi's balcony is full of plants, and he shares that gardening changed his life and reconnected him to himself and the environment.

Beyond being a hobby, gardening contributes significantly to mental and emotional health. Many studies indicate that practicing gardening reduces stress, anxiety and depression, and improves the general feeling. There is a branch of therapy in gardening, where you not only plant but also prepare the pots, paint and decorate them. Gardening contributes to the feeling of peace and calm, and at the same time it is a light physical activity: working with the hands and tinkering with the soil increase the levels of physical activity, which raises the levels of endorphins in the body.

There is a sense of achievement when the plant takes root, sprouts, grows, yields. Seeing a plant you planted growing and thriving gives personal satisfaction and improves self-esteem. Studies have found that working in the garden can improve the ability to concentrate and reduce the feeling of mental burden, which explains why precisely in the tough times we are in, many develop the home garden, the balcony garden.

Tips for success in home growing

• Choosing suitable plants: Adapt the plants to the light and air conditions you have at home.
• Proper watering: Avoid overwatering, which causes root rot.
• Periodic fertilization: A quality fertilizer can improve plant growth and resistance.
• Patience and love: Plants grow at their own pace. Invest attention in them, and you will get to see the fruits.