Growing a garden in a rental property

Many of us daydream of a lush green garden to escape to at the end of the day. For those renting, however, this dream isn’t always attainable, especially for those with small balconies. Here, we break down different growing and gardening techniques to bring greenery into your rental property without permanence.

Plant vertically

For many people – those living in Gold Coast apartments in particular – space is a luxury. Whether you’re fitting out a balcony garden or simply trying to save room on your patio, planting vertically is a great way to get a dose of greenery in your space without needing to put seeds in the ground. Command hooks are a renters secret weapon, perfect for hanging different things around the house without leaving marks or holes in walls. Don’t limit yourself to simply hanging pictures – these hooks are great in saving space by hanging planter pots on walls.

This is a great idea particularly for those who like having fresh herbs. This works in the kitchen too – hanging a few pots housing chives, parsley and other herbs means that they’re literally at arms reach when it comes to cooking, without taking up precious space on the counter. Have fun with your execution – different sized mugs make for quirky pots and can bring a bit of extra personality into your kitchen.

Pack in the pots

Even if there’s space, a major headache for renters is that they’re unable to plant their own flowers or shrubs as it violates their rental agreement. In this situation, pots are your best friend. Using pots of different heights will help in making your garden have a greater presence, without the effort of purchasing too many plants. This is a popular technique used in retail merchandising known as a visual hierarchy.

An easy way to achieve this is by first placing wooden crates at different heights in the corner or area where you’d like your garden to be and stacking your pot plants for a layered effect – remember, variation is key. Take time to stack your plants in alternate positions in order to achieve the density or look that best suits your space. Experiment with colours and textures too – a cluster of succulents will bring a desert vibe, while the monochromatic gardening trend is an effective way to brighten up a space with bold tones.

Mobility is key

Depending on their lifestyle, more often than not renters don’t tend to stay in one property as a long-term home. For this reason, it’s probably not best practice to plant trees or shrubs as part of your gardening efforts. If you’re taking a nomadic approach to your living situation, it’s important that your garden is one that can uprooted as easily as you. A mobile garden bed is a great way to ensure that your leafy greens can travel to your next location, as well as being a fantastic way of containing your soil without too much mess. Mobile garden beds usually come in wooden or plastic forms, and sometimes even feature wheels for easy transportation.

However, if your budget is tight, you don’t necessarily need to head to your local garden centre and pick out a fancy container for your temporary garden. In fact, potatoes and tomatoes can easily be grown in sand bags or sacks. These bags are easily carried around with the use of handles, and growing the vegetables themselves is just as straightforward. Simply blend your damp soil and compost with your seeds, place the bag in the sun, and wait for your new plants to thrive.

Ready to make the move to a new Gold Coast property? Ray White Surfers Paradise have a range of properties in our portfolio perfect for creating your dream garden. For more information, get in touch with our team.