episode 184 | show notes & advice
episode description
Jemima Bowker’s journey into urban gardening is one with which many of us can relate, and having moved into a new space, we’ve a number of wonderful tips for balcony gardeners.
This week on ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ Jemima joins Sarah to share how she’s made the most of both a North and South facing balcony, with inspiring ideas for varieties to thrive in any urban space.
In this episode, discover
- Jemima’s South-facing balcony, exhibiting the glorious colours of Geum ‘Scarlet Tempest’ and Salvia ‘Jemima’s Gem’
- The bold, dark-green and purple visage of Plectranthus ciliatus which graces the darker, colder North-facing area
- Tips to spot whether you’re overfeeding, and on how to breathe life into your own part of a shared or public space
links and references
Order Sarah’s new book - A Year Full of Pots
Order Sarah’s book - A Year Full of Flowers
Order Sarah’s book - A Year Full of Veg
Sarah Raven's Garden Cookbook | Sarah Raven
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website
Get in touch: info@sarahraven.com
Episode 184 advice sheet
Jemima’s space, and how it serves particular plants (2:40)
As a budding balcony gardener, Jemima has suitable spaces facing both the North and South, so we first delve into the varieties that have brought her most joy on the sunnier South side.
Among the greatest performers for Jemima are the rousing colours of Geum Tempest Red, and the scintillating visage of Salvia Jemima’s Gem.
What to place on a North-facing balcony (11:40)
On the other, colder and darker side of her space is a North-facing balcony, on which Plectranthus Cilius is a showstopper with its dark green leaves shadowed by deep purple veins.
As a tender perennial harking from New Zealand, Sarah takes some time to explain how to treat it best for an incredibly rewarding addition - given that you have the size of pots to take it.
How to know if you’re overfeeding (17:45)
As a newer gardener, it’s easy to feel unsure as to when you’re overfeeding - Sarah touches on how to spot the telltale signs of overfed plants, and how to dial in the exact right amounts.
Using public space (21:00)
If you’re lucky enough to have a public or shared space which is a bit larger, as Jemima does, then Sarah and Jemima run through some exciting ideas for tailoring your gardening approach in shared spaces.
Also rounding out the episode, Sarah shares where you can source fantastic mulch in built-up areas, and why it’s absolutely worth the effort to do it twice a year.
