With urban populations rising and less people getting a chance to live in the country, more and more people are turning to urban gardening, turning their stamp-sized balcony into a sanctuary in the sky. You can’t exactly lay a few inches of top soil or roll out the turf so what should you do to transform this space into you own little paradise?

One key aspect to consider before you land a tonne of greenery on your balcony is how much weight it can actually support. You could try and contact someone who manages or maintains the building and they may be able to give you a rough guide but the answer will be in the building specifications if you can get hold of them. Most balconies have a maximum weight allowance greater than the combined weight of the maximum number of people who can fit on the balcony, if you can work that out, that should be a good guide.

Consider a plan for your use of space, which might seem pointless because there isn’t much of it but that’s the point, you won’t want to render your balcony completely useless by cramming it full of pots. If you don’t want to use up floor space consider boxes that can hook onto the ledge of your railings or think about fewer, larger pots that can be planted with a selection of different plants. This will give the illusion of more space than having many small pots cluttering the floor. Use plastic pots to minimise weight and cost, these can be bought in any size and shape and with the effect of zinc, aluminium or terracotta. Rectangular pots will also allow you to plant along the boarders of your balcony rather than just taking up each corner.

Instead of just filling each pot with soil, fill the first quarter with terracotta or polystyrene balls to assist drainage then fill the remainder with a potting compost as this will contain all the nutrients your plants will need, also drill some small holes on the side about 2cm from the bottom, this will mean that you can place the pot directly on the balcony without having to elevate it for drainage.

When you have everything in place, have a think about what kinds of plant you want. Although it is tempting to buy expensive, exotic plants, it is more realistic to buy some sturdier, all year round plants like ferns, ivy or small conifers. This will mean you actually have some greenery on your balcony before you attempt to add colour. When the time is right, add some colour by planting the seeds of something seasonal like marigolds, petunias, fuchsias or geraniums. Raising them from seed will give you the chance to add a personal touch to the garden and when it is finished you will be able to forget about the hustle and bustle that surrounds you and drift off into a world of serenity.

Gardening in small spaces and without grass means you won’t be likely to encounter lawn weeds but if you are worried about managing your plants you could always seek lawn advice from a professional or gardening store.