How to Make a Jungle Garden: Perfect for Shady Gardens

by Alessandro Vitale | Mar 10, 2025 | Sustainable Gardening

Hello Jungle Explorers!

We are here to guide you through the wild and wonderful world of jungle gardens, perfect for those spots where the sun plays hide-and-seek.

Jungle Gardens: Where Shade Gets a Tropical Makeover

Let’s face it, not every garden is blessed with sunshine all day long. But fear not, my leafy comrades! Those shady garden corners of your yard are just begging for a jungle touch. We’re talking lush foliage, vibrant colors, and a touch of the exotic that’ll make your neighbors green with envy (in a good way, of course!).

Choosing Your Jungle Crew: Plants That Thrive in any shady garden

First things first, you need the right plants for the job. Think of them as your jungle crew, ready to conquer the shade and transform your garden into a tropical paradise.

Important: Jungle plants are highly sensitive to low temperatures. We recommend that you carefully consider the temperature conditions in your garden’s shaded areas and select plants that are best suited to your specific environment. Evaluate how long your plants can remain outdoors and whether you might need to move them to a protected area, such as a greenhouse or indoors, during cooler periods. To help you find the ideal plants for your location, try our Jungle Finder Tool below (currently in beta).

Some examples of common Jungle Garden Plants:

Ferns: These friends are the undisputed kings of the shade. They’ll add a touch of elegance and a whole lot of green to your jungle.

Hostas: With their big, bold leaves, hostas are like the bodyguards of your jungle, protecting the more delicate plants from the harsh realities of the shade.

Impatiens: These colorful blooms will brighten up even the darkest corners of your jungle, adding a splash of vibrancy to the shady scene.

Creating the Jungle Vibe: Layers, Textures, and a Touch of Wildness

Now that you’ve got your jungle crew, it’s time to create the right atmosphere. Think layers of foliage, a mix of textures, and a touch of wildness.

Layer Up: Start with taller plants in the back, like ferns and hostas, and gradually move to shorter plants in the front, like impatiens. This will create a sense of depth and make your jungle feel more immersive.

Mix and Match: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different leaf shapes, sizes, and colors. The more variety, the better!

Go Wild: Let your plants grow a little wild and unruly. A jungle isn’t supposed to be perfectly manicured, so embrace the chaos!

Jungle Garden Must-Haves: Water Features, Seating Areas, and Hammocks

No jungle is complete without a few essential features.

Water Features: A small pond, a trickling fountain, or even a birdbath will add a touch of tranquility to your jungle.

Seating Areas: Create a cozy spot where you can relax and enjoy your jungle oasis. A hammock is always a welcome addition!

Pathways: Wind your way through your jungle with stepping stones or a gravel path.

Now go forth, try the free Jungle Finder tool below and create your own tropical

paradise right in your shady garden spot!

Just type your city (ex. “Abbey Wood” in London) where your shady garden is located and that’s all, you will get a plant list to make your own Jungle

Garden with just few beautiful selected plants.

JUNGLE FINDER

Beta Version

Trasform your Shady Garden spot into a beautiful Jungle Garden.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU START:

During the Autumn and the Winter our lovely Jungle Plants may need additional protection from those low temperatures. Use pots to install your Jungle Garden Plants partially or fully inserted into the soil to enjoy a modular, removable, year-round Jungle Garden.

📝

Balcony Gardening: How to Turn Your Balcony into a Bountiful Garden

by Alessandro Vitale | Mar 3, 2025 | Sustainable Gardening

Balcony gardening can be a fun and rewarding hobby, but it can also be challenging! If you’re looking to grow your own food and flowers, but you don’t have a lot of space, don’t worry! You can easily turn your balcony into a beautiful garden.

Alright, let’s transform that balcony of yours into an edible, perfumed, colorful oasis! Forget the wild acres; we’re talking about maximizing every square inch of your personal outdoor retreat.

Gardening, at its core, is a connection with nature. It’s about nurturing life, watching it grow, and reaping the rewards of your efforts. If your gardening dreams are confined to a balcony, fear not! With a bit of creativity and the right attitude, you can cultivate a thriving garden that not only looks stunning but also provides you with fresh, flavorful produce.

🌿 Ready to dive in? Our Balcony Gardening Ebook is your ultimate guide, packed with easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions to get you started!

So, grab your favorite beverage, kick off your shoes, and let’s have a laid-back chat about transforming your balcony into a green haven. We’re not aiming for perfection; we’re aiming for enjoyment, a little bit of green therapy, and maybe a few ingredients for that pasta night.

The Right Balcony Vibes

Let’s be real: we’re not trying to create a meticulously curated botanical garden. We’re aiming for a space that reflects your personality, a place where you can unwind, connect with nature, and maybe even impress your friends with a homegrown cocktail or two. Think of it as your personal slice of tranquility, a place where you can escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

Tools

Forget the fancy gardening gadgets. We’re embracing the minimalist approach, using what we have on hand.

Something to Dig With: A spoon, a sturdy stick, or even your hands will suffice. Embrace the tactile experience of working with soil.
Something to Cut With: Scissors, a butter knife, or even those kitchen shears you rarely use. (Just be careful!)
Something to Water With: A repurposed water bottle, a trusty mug, or a simple watering can. The goal is to get water to the plants, not win a design award.
Something to Put Your Hands In: Gardening gloves are great, but if you don’t have any, don’t fret. Embrace the dirt!

The Lazy Gardener’s Dream Team

Vegetables & Greens:

Arugula: This peppery green grows rapidly, self-seeds, and tolerates poor soil. It’s perfect for adding a spicy kick to salads and sandwiches.
Swiss Chard: Its vibrant stems and leaves add a splash of color to any balcony garden. It’s hardy, productive, and tolerates a range of conditions.
Kale: This nutritional powerhouse is incredibly resilient, surviving frost, heat, and even a bit of neglect.
Mustard Greens: Fast-growing and self-seeding, mustard greens are a breeze to cultivate.
Green Onions (Scallions): Regrow these from scraps! Simply place the root ends in water or soil, and watch them sprout.
Radishes: From seed to harvest in just a few weeks, radishes offer instant gratification.
Zucchini: This prolific producer will reward you with an abundance of versatile vegetables, provided you give it ample space.
Cherry Tomatoes: These little guys are practically indestructible, self-seeding and growing with vigorous enthusiasm.

Herbs:

Mint: This aromatic herb will spread like wildfire, providing you with an endless supply for mojitos, tea, and culinary creations.
Chives: Virtually indestructible, chives return year after year, adding a mild onion flavor to dishes.
Oregano: This tough and drought-resistant herb is a staple in Mediterranean cuisine.
Rosemary: Surviving in dry conditions, rosemary grows into a small, fragrant shrub.
Thyme: Tolerating neglect and poor soil, thyme adds a subtle earthy flavor to dishes.
Dill: Self-seeding aggressively, dill will provide you with a constant supply of feathery fronds.

Root Crops:

Garlic: Simply plant the cloves, and watch them grow. Minimal effort, maximum flavor.
Potatoes: Grow these from scraps! Minimal care, maximum yield.
Sweet Potatoes: Drought-resistant and highly productive, sweet potatoes are a rewarding addition to any balcony garden.
Jerusalem Artichoke (Sunchoke): These tubers spread rapidly, providing a continuous harvest.
Carrots: Relatively forgiving, carrots simply require loose, well-draining soil.

Fruits & Perennials:

Strawberries: Spreading aggressively and returning yearly, strawberries are a delightful addition to any balcony garden.
Mulberries: This hardy fruit tree is practically indestructible.
Blackberries & Raspberries: Growing wild with minimal care, these berries provide a bountiful harvest.
Figs: Tolerating drought, poor soil, and neglect, figs are a low-maintenance fruit option.

Maximizing Your Balcony Space: Go Vertical with Balcony Gardening!

Balcony space is precious, so let’s think vertically !

Hanging Baskets: Perfect for herbs, strawberries, and trailing flowers.
Vertical Planters: These stackable planters maximize space, ideal for leafy greens and herbs.
Trellises: Train climbing plants like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and beans to grow vertically, creating a lush green wall.

Watering Wisdom: Don’t Overthink It!

Watering is crucial, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.

The Finger Test: Stick your finger into the soil. If it feels dry an inch or two down, it’s time to water.
Water Deeply: When you water, ensure the water penetrates deep into the soil.
Morning is Best: Water your plants in the morning, when the sun is less intense.

Let’s add a Spicy Touch! (Where Everything Started)

Jalapenos: Add a medium heat level to your dishes.
Thai Chilies: For a more intense heat, try Thai chilies!!!
Cayenne Peppers: These peppers are great for drying and making your own spice blends.

Remember, gardening is a journey, not a destination. Embrace the imperfections, experiment with different plants, and most importantly, enjoy the process.