regnum-plantae:

Cottage garden urban window boxes

Last winter I mentioned I was planning on trying to set up window boxes on the awkwardly-designed railing of my kitchen’s door-window, but I actually never showed you it worked, and was indeed a success! 

I installed three pots and basically overfilled them with a huge number of different plants over time to keep them spilling with colour from spring until the first few weeks of autumn. I still didn’t have my allotment at the time, so I had three goals in mind:

– Providing a good source of pollen and nectar, as well as a habitat, for wildlife

– Creating an outdoor space for me to grow edible and practical plants

– Designing something aesthetically pleasing

All three goals were achieved. The boxes were constantly surrounded with the continuous buzz of pollinators of all kinds, jumping spiders were hunting through the thick foliage, butterflies were laying their eggs, and curious birds were coming to perch and rest among the greenery. My boyfriend and I were really so surprised to see how much life these plants brought close to our eyes!

Many of them were also useful plants: chives, sage, different varieties of thyme, yarrow, basil, nasturtium, coriander, marigolds…I had plenty to use in cooking or to dry for other purposes. Plus, I was able to save seeds I’ll be using at the allotment. 

Lastly, I got compliments from the neighbours and hopefully inspired a few of them to follow my example, as mine were the only window boxes in the three buildings at my address. 

Mission accomplished!