As someone who began her gardening life on a balcony, I am always thankful for this introduction to plants. It is, in essence, veranda life up high — and, as with any terrace or porch, the key to creating a beautiful space is keeping it tidy, with a good percentage of empty floor space in which to enjoy your mini Eden. Plants are obviously crucial, but ease of watering and maintenance should dictate your choices. Nifty kitGardena’s set of good-quality, long-lasting tools includes a trowel, a grubber, secateurs and a brush, all packaged in a case that doubles as a dustpan (£25; worldofwatering.co.uk). Otherwise, a small bucket of sand into which to plunge your tools will…

Source: The Times July 20, 2019 23:06 UTC