When I first started gardening on my small Parisian balcony, I had no idea what I was doing. Like many city dwellers, I longed for a connection to nature—but with only a few square meters and no gardening background, I wasn’t sure where to begin. Could I really grow tomatoes? Would flowers survive the wind?

Like many beginner gardeners, I started with more enthusiasm than know-how. I was living in Paris, eager to grow something of my own, and trying to be resourceful. I began by repurposing old furniture found in the street, turning drawers and boxes into makeshift planters. It felt clever and sustainable. It was also a complete

Living in the heart of Paris, space is a luxury—and that includes my small balcony. But over time, this limited area has become my personal green retreat. Through trial and error, I’ve developed and applied dozens of balcony gardening hacks: clever, low-cost solutions that helped me grow more, save time, reduce waste, and make the