Take a peek at Patrick Vernuccio’s bountiful balcony in Berlin
✽ I share my garden with...
my wife and one-year-old son. It’s a true pleasure to share the joy of gardening with them and to raise my young son surrounded by nature and plants providing us with fresh organic food.
✽ My garden is...
an 18m 2 balcony. I’ve been growing on this balcony for four years. The space was totally empty when we moved in. Season after season I have optimised the limited floor space by using the vertical space including railings and walls to grow even more plants. Winter is very cold here, but the great news is that there are heirloom varieties that can withstand rough winters. I can grow seasonal varieties all year long in pots and containers!
✽ My inspiration is...
permaculture and its wonderful values – earth care, people care and fair share (sharing surplus). Permaculture is not only about gardening techniques, it is a philosophy of life!
✽ I use my garden for...
building a strong connection with nature. Even a small garden can be a platform of education for future generations. It is also my place of meditation, where I take time to pause and enjoy the moment.
✽ My best garden moment is...
first thing in the morning, having a sip of coffee and picking fresh strawberries, gooseberries or tomatoes for a healthy and nutritious breakfast. Starting the day with fresh food sending positive vibrations is simply the best.
✽ My favourite area is...
my tomato corner! I plant all of my tomatoes in the same spot and it creates such a wonderful green oasis. I love to sit there and touch the tomato leaves – they release such a wonderful summer scent, giving me inspiration.
✽ My current obsession is...
to create a small spiral herb corner with a little pond at its top. The spiral pattern is inspired by permaculture and I would love to build such a sacred space on my balcony.
✽ My best buy is...
grow tables. These raised beds are elevated on feet, optimising floor space. In them I grow radishes, lettuces, kale, spinach and so much more. They also have lids you can put on them to protect your crops from pests such as slugs and snails.
✽ My favourite plant is...
tomato, because it’s the plant I spend the most time with as they require a lot of attention and care. For me they are the divas of the garden. They can look so massiv
