Korean Job Discussion Forums

[skindleshanks]

My wife wants me to do something with our rather large balcony garden (about 1 pyeong/ 3meter square), but I have a bit of a black thumb, so I need some advice.

The garden is currently filled with white powdery stuff, so I know I have to get some soil to mix in or lay on top.

The main issues with the garden are:

1)Although it is reasonably bright, it gets no direct sunlight at all. We are on the first floor and there is a large hill across the road that blocks any sunlight that might get in.

2)It is not heated, and gets fairly cold in the winter so I want a garden that can winter well.

I want to fill it with greenery as cheaply as possible--ferns, broadleaf plants, etc. Any vegetables or herbs that do not need sun would be fine, too. I don't have a lot of time for maintenance, though, so simple would be best.

It's probably too much to ask, but if you know the Korean names, that would help me track this stuff down

Also, do I need to get any special fertilizer? I plan on buying some worms to compost a bit of fertilizer, if possible.

Thanks in advance!

[Apple Scruff]

I have a pretty impressive garden on my own rooftop already. Ferns, herbs, and a very nice batch of lavender, which is something I've never planted before this year, but it's been a success so far. The wife is so pleased with my work, she's taken a step back and put me in charge of the plant life for the time being, which in my books is a seal of approval.

What's my secret? Back in late March, each morning I would get up at the crack of dawn, having spent each previous night pounding a mixture of rum and turkey gravy, and just drop an ungodly turd the likes of which you've probably never seen right into each planter. I'm talking black coils of death and pestilence. The stench rotted the nails off my fingers and toes, and my wife left me for a brief period of time. Anyhoo, it worked. Now I have a lovely rooftop getaway where I can kill birds with my slingshot in peace.

[lille]

OP, you're buying worms? Do you know, by any chance, where to find them? I need to start composting for my garden as well.

If you want herbs and vegetables that require less sun and low maintenance, any kind of lettuce is fantastic and doesn't require as much soil depth for rooting as, say, tomatoes would. Basil and Peppermint are both herbs that get out of hand no matter how you treat them, and they both smell fantastic on a sunny day. I'm afraid I don't know the Korean names for any though.

[saw6436]

You can buy worms at any fishing shop.

[lille]

[skindleshanks]

I found the worms on gmarket - search for 살아있는 지렁이

Apple Scruff, I don't think my wife would appreciate me taking such a direct approach to fertization

One thing I'd like to put in is a fern garden--I can find boston ferns online but from what I hear they will have to be brought in in the winter or they will die. Are there any hardier options available here?

[blackjack]

diluted urine also makes an amazing fertiliser. Has to be diluted otherwise you will burn your plants. Excellent for Nitrogen loving plants such as tomatoes and basil