How to Take Care of Your Balcony Plants in Winter

For those of you who love taking care of plants, we are sure you like having them on the balcony as well. However, the problem with this usually lies in the fact that they can die out during the cold winter months.

In this article, we wanted to give you some advice and tips on how you can take care of those plants in the winter. If you do everything right, and with a little bit of luck, your balcony plants will be completely fine, no matter the cold!

How to Be Good at Winter Gardening

In the past, only people with big gardens were able to have plants. Today, it’s all very different as even people in apartments can keep plants all year round. That’s especially true for people with balconies.

What’s more, you can grow annuals, perennials, small trees, shrubs, and even vegetables in your apartment today! You only need to learn how.

First of all, you need to know which pots are right for your plants. You should know that materials like concrete, ceramic, and terra cotta are not going to do well in the cold. It’s best to opt for fiberglass or polyethylene pots with drainage holes. These materials don't only survive the cold, but they are also more practical as they are very lightweight. Additionally, you should make sure that your pots are some 18 to 24 inches wide as plants do better in larger containers.

Make sure you place the pots in pot feet. By keeping the plants well above the ground, you’ll make sure they have proper air circulation. It will also ensure that excess moisture leaves through the drainage holes.

As for the ground, each plant has its own preference. However, you should make sure you fill your pots with soil and then add a layer of mulch. That will ensure that no mold and excess moisture ruins the plants. However, if you have the right compost and drainage holes on your pots, you can avoid the moisture problem. Also, make sure you fill the containers up to the rim.

Some plants simply can’t live in the cold, so you’ll have to keep them inside during the winter. However, you must keep them somewhere where they can get enough light to survive.

It’s good to prepare plants for the winter. You can do that by continuing to water them regularly throughout the fall, as this reduces new growth, which is the most vulnerable in cold weather.

As for watering in the winter, it's important not to overdo it. The excess water can kill the roots of the plants. It's vital to keep it just slightly moist so the roots don’t dry out. Additionally, before the first freezing temperatures, you should water the plants well. Then you can continue to add some water whenever the temperatures rise above 4 degrees C (40 degrees F).

The Bottom Line

As you can see, there’s always a way to keep your plants alive, even during harsh conditions. All you need to do is follow the advice we gave you, and you should be fine. And if you have a green thumb, you’ll do great.

How to Create a Winter Balcony

All of you who have a balcony know how wonderful it is to spend time on it during the breezy spring days and cool summer evenings. It’s a place the whole family can enjoy together talking, playing games, and relaxing.

However, when the cold weather comes, the balcony becomes as desolate a place as the forgotten parts of the basement. With that in mind, we wanted to help you by showing you how to create a winter balcony. Once you're done, you'll be able to continue to have quality time with family and friends during the whole winter!

How to Make Your Balcony Warm and Comfortable in the Winter

●        For people who have a large balcony and an old sofa, you can make the balcony live up to its potential by merely bringing out the sofa or an old mattress. Add some pillows, blankets, and whatever else you want. Then you’ll have yourself a cozy winter balcony.

●        If you live in an apartment and have a small terrace, you can still create a winter balcony easily. All you need is that old chair that's sitting there. Then, you can create a canopy out of it by using a curtain of your choice, some hula hoop, and a metal wire to tie it all together. Use the hula hoop to hang the curtain and tie it all in a corner with the metal wire. Put the chair beneath it and hang some lights to make it all bright and beautiful. Cover yourself with a warm blanket and enjoy!

●        Instead of regular furniture, you can create or buy a hammock and enjoy the warm winter sun during the day.

●        Use an old carpet to cover the floor and make it warmer. Plus, it will look great!

●        To keep yourself warm, you can opt for some small stoves or radiant heaters.

●        If you want to keep the balcony truly warm, you can install sliding doors and windows (you can keep those open in the summer and spring).

●        Remember that you have to use furniture that’s made from metal and natural materials to avoid mold and cold weather ruining them. Even synthetic wicker and aluminum-made furniture can survive the winter for a couple of years.

How to Make Your Winter Balcony More Beautiful

●        Add curtains and fairy lights to the balcony to make it beautiful all year round. You can also use lanterns and candles (both regular and LED candles are great).

●        Use evergreen plants to beautify your balcony. You can use plants like junipers, boxwoods, and dwarf Alberta spruces, to name a few. To ensure they live through the cold, it's always best to choose the ones that can survive in colder regions. It's also good to use fresh soil and a top layer of mulch. As for the containers, it's best to opt for moisture-resistant wood containers or ones made from fiberglass or polyethylene.

●        Get inspired by other peoples’ ideas for décor.

We hope that these ideas are enough to get you started and help you create your perfect, cozy, and warm winter balcony!

Should You Get Tenant Insurance?

Most people know that tenant insurance is not required, and they are right. Many also believe that it only benefits the landlord. However, there are several reasons why this insurance is beneficial for the tenant as well.

In this article, we’ll make sure to cover everything you need to know about tenant insurance. Then you'll be able to decide for yourself if you need it.

What is Tenant Insurance?

There are several different tenant insurance policies, but all of them will cover several standard things:

●        Personal belongings like clothing, electronics, furniture, and more.

●        Protection from personal liabilities such as someone getting injured in a rented home or the tenant accidentally causing injury to them. The tenant insurance will cover you if someone decides to sue you for such injuries.

●        Temporary living expenses if you’re unable to live in the rented home because of damage or loss.

Such standard coverage usually costs a little as $25 per month. You can also pay extra if you have some other valuables you want to be covered.

Now, let’s take a look at some of the main reasons that make tenant insurance useful.

Reasons for Getting Tenant Insurance

The main reason why getting tenant insurance is beneficial is the fact it covers personal property. If anything in the home gets damaged or broken by accident, you wouldn't have to pay for it. Most people believe that they will be careful and that nothing will happen, so they don't think they need this type of insurance. However, the truth is that accidents do happen, so it's better to stay protected.

The same can be said about accidents that may happen to other people. As we've said, the primary form of tenant insurance makes sure you're covered if someone decides to sue after getting injured in your apartment.

The most important thing about tenant insurance is that it covers the tenant if accidental damage happens to the apartment itself. Without insurance, you'll likely have to pay for any damage caused while living there.

A good plus about tenant insurance is that your personal possessions are covered even while traveling. That includes both the possessions you take with you and those that stay in the rented apartment.

In some cases, landlords require you to have tenant insurance. If you refuse, they simply decide not to rent you the apartment. The landlord is entirely within their right to ask this of you.

If you're a student, your parents' insurance might not cover you adequately. That's because many policies only cover you partially while you’re living away from your parents. Plus, they require that you’re financially dependent on them.

The Bottom Line

Now you know everything you need to know about tenant insurance. The information provided here should be more than enough for you to decide whether or not you need tenant insurance.

If you’re looking for our advice – you should get it. It’s not expensive, and it covers a lot. Plus, it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Avoid Falling for Fall

The sun is shining less, and the weather is slowly getting worse – it's the most definite sign that summer is ending, and fall is quickly approaching. When that time comes, you know it's high time to start getting your home ready for fall.

In this article, we wanted to give you some tips on what you can do to prepare your rental for fall and avoid falling for it!

Prepare for the Rain

One thing that is often characteristic of fall is the rain. Consequently, it's the main thing you need to prepare for before the near-constant rain starts.

The first thing that should come to mind is to make sure that nothing is left outside. If you have anything outside that can be damaged by rain, it's time to get it into storage.

If you live in a basement apartment, this part is crucial. You should make sure the outdoor drains are cleared of leaves and other debris. You can ask the landlord to clear the rain gutter if that's not something that you can do.

Furthermore, it's essential to make sure your apartment is safe by checking the windows for leaks. That will also help with drafts, which tends to overwork your heating system. And we all know the effect this can have on your wallet and the environment. Speaking of drafts, it's time to discuss how to prepare for the colder weather.

Prepare for the Colder Weather

Another obvious characteristic of fall is the colder weather. You can prepare for it by checking for leaks and holes in your windows and doors. These can let the cold air in and make it harder for your heating system to warm up your apartment. It’s shown that such gaps can account for as much as 10% of your heating bill, so it stands to reason that you would want those spaces sealed.

If you live on the top floor, it’s a good idea to check the roof for leaks. Check with your landlord to see who’s responsible for that part.

Naturally, if you live in a house, there’s a lot more that you need to do:

●        Check the exterior of the house for cracks and gaps.

●        Clean the gutters and check that the water drainage system is working fine.

●        Turn off all the outdoor faucets and store the water hoses and sprinkles.

●        Prepare your yard and garden for the fall by cleaning it and cutting any risky tree branches which can easily fall due to strong winds and rainy weather. If you want to grow something in the spring, it's time to fertilize the ground and plant the bulbs! Know that you can also keep plants and the like inside if you live in an apartment.

●        If you have a chimney, it's important to check if there's nothing in it that can be a fire hazard.

The Bottom Line

This detailed list of what you need to do to avoid falling for fall should be more than enough to prepare you. When fall truly kicks in, you’ll be glad you took the extra time to prepare your home for it!