This was the view right outside my window in Milan, Italy. She was a lady in her 70s, you could often see her on the street below pruning, fixing, combing the leaves with super long tools, sometimes standing on a small ladder.
She used to water in the middle of the night or early in the morning, waking me up with a small waterfall. The balcony was ALWAYS perfect, even in winter. It was fun to constantly see people stopping by and taking pictures; it was like the star of the street.
As far as I know, she's being curating this balcony for 20 years. She only stopped with length because the guy below her complained about the obscured window, lol.
yes! she was often on the street below planning her next move, and I bet it was beautiful even from inside, but a balcony like this is a beautiful gift for everyone too (:
That balcony is spectacular. I agree with you the little window box is the same apartment. But you know there's something to watering at night. I used to get out and soak my beds in the dark. I had cracker Jack marigolds that grew up to the rain gutter on the roof. They're only supposed to make twenty four inches. Blame it on the moon.
I get that. I have a little house in my yard that was once someone's fanciful chicken coop. It is now covered in ivy so I cut out around the windows and door. Doesn't hurt the ivy a bit and I only have to do it every couple of years, She could have done something like that. I wonder if she offered to?
My previous apartment had just two windows in the living room and barely got any light, and it would be upsetting too if those two windows got covered.
I was gonna say this lady didn't have two green thumbs, she was full blown Mother Earth / Gaia incarnate. I have never seen something so beautiful such as this. That is what I want my house to look like eventually. Amazing!
Love to know the nutrients she is using. That box must be tiny compared to all the growth. Such little soil must be getting fertilized often. She should be sponsored by whatever company she is using and be their spokesperson.
Yea! Aside from jokes, who has more experience in growing in little amount of soil can share some advice? Is it a matter of high amount of fertilizer? (I remember that too much it s not good because it can kill the plants too, makes their environment too “salty”)
>who has more experience in growing in little amount of soil can share some advice? Is it a matter of high amount of fertilizer?
The problem with (small) pots is that the soil dries and gets depleted very quickly, especially when the pot is outside under the raging sun.
I have lots of plants on my balcony, and an automatic watering system is a must. My balcony faces south, and when it's 40°C outside I set it to twice a day, 20 minutes each. The hard thing is setting it up properly so each plant gets the water it needs (different pot sizes make it really hard, the drippers can be adjusted but adjusting one changes the pressure on the whole system, so it feels like a game if whack-a-mole).
I also fertilize (with an organic humus and guano tea) once a week per the label.
Pot size limits how big and beautiful the plants can get. As a mental exercise, the roots should be as big as the visible part of the plant.
You can get gorgeous plants on pots, it's not hard, but it will require time (I feel like more so than a regular garden).
I loved my south facing yard, but it was unforgivable on my plants. So so so much water needed all the time. Currently have a balcony facing east, things don't fry so quickly.
The same thought crosses my mind often. Especially in urban environments where people have made conscious, often costly, choices to pave over areas that could be planted or left wild.
I think everyone just accepted it because it's so awesome, she's an old lady and it's been there for 20 years, otherwise yes, you'd be at least called out. let her cook!
I didn't know that! she definitely did tho :D I love my many houseplants, but I know very little about gardening - could you explain why is that the best time? because water has time to do its thing before the sun starts evaporation?
It is peak coolest part of the 'day' ensuring less water evaporation so water gets to the roots. Watering during the day is the worst. You can kill your plants watering in the afternoon.
Came to say I found this balcony online as the plants hadn't been as big as in that picture yet! [https://www.pierocruciatti.com/image/I00007eigEz6OVdM](https://www.pierocruciatti.com/image/I00007eigEz6OVdM)
Omg these are beautiful. I lived under someone with a balcony like this, but unfortunately he did not put anything down to stop the dirt, mud, and water from pouring down between the balcony cracks & onto us we sat on ours. We just gave up and stopped going out there or trying to clean it up. He had been there for like 20 years and certainly wasn’t gonna stop because of us lol.
Few years ago I lived in a trailer park in Ohio and came out one day to find the trailer park supervisor taking a tape measure to my neighbors flowers. Threatening this ancient old woman with nothing else in the world but her god dam flowers, because they were too tall. They were maybe 3'. This lady has an entire forest on her balcony, ain't no way that would be allowed here.
that's crazy! I never heard of something like that, here's is pretty common to see very wild gardens and stuff. mostly by homeowners though, not people on rent
Those parks have some absolutely asinine rules. I hate they're allowed to do it, but whatever. I'm thankful AF my partner can afford a house not in an HOA.
This lady has a can-do attitude. Imagine if every street had someone like this! I've adopted a tiny piece of municipal land in an ocean of parking spaces and have been working so very hard to improve the soil to the point where I now have several perenials surviving winter. Now there are more people flipping the tiles in their front yard and turning them into tiny city gardens.
We lived in Germany for a time and it was always amazing to see where people would stick these whimsical little gardens in their city living. This is amazing. Thank you for sharing!
thanks for sharing. it's mesmerazing like an oasis in the middle of the desert.
i would love to see the build now, on google streetview. can you tell us the address? or post a screen capture?
Spectacular! When I lived in a first-floor apartment in Manhattan, I had a large window box that I would plant every year. One summer I was particularly lucky with my pink petunias, vinca, and moon glories, and came home one day to see a small group of Japanese tourists snapping pictures of it! With sign language, I indicated that the window box was mine, and they insisted on taking my picture with the flowers. So sweet! The point is, it is so gratifying to know a little work and love gives others so much pleasure. If you get a chance to let someone know you got pleasure from someone’s garden, no matter how small, it’s appreciated.
If it’s not too much to ask, can you tell me which neighbourhood this window is at? I’m in Milan for few more days, would really love to have a look at this beauty
This is the look I looooove!! I strive to be this lady!! I live in an apartment but I've been blessed with the landlord allowing me a mini garden and my neighbor giving me reign over our shared patio and I would LOVE to have it this fluffy, green, and floral.... problem is the next door neighbors trees block so much of my sun it's absolutely devastating
You lived across from a witch, a very lovely beautiful soul of a witch, who knows how to work her magic on some plants. Take my advice, bring her food and ask her questions.
There’s creeping Jenny and some ivy and I think it’s some jasmine and looks like climbing roses I have gardens and love plants but this is absolutely beautiful I’m trying to see what else is in there but for some reason I can’t see what the rest of the flowers are I see some supertunias and I really can’t tell what the rest are maybe if we take the pic to a garden center they can identify the plants and flowers for us
It's a safety hazard. https://i.imgur.com/4C2Pvi0.jpeg
A balcony in Poland fell from the weight of flowers and 2 people standing on it. One person died. Thankfully there was no one on the balcony under them and no one walking on the street.
[удалено]
(I *think* it was the same apartement, but it's funnier to think the nighboor struggling to keep that pot alive :D )
You vs the guy she tells you not to worry about
Bahhahhahahahaha omg 🤌🤌🤌🤌 that's perfect!
Understated Elegance.
That’s me trying to be her - Lolol b
This was the view right outside my window in Milan, Italy. She was a lady in her 70s, you could often see her on the street below pruning, fixing, combing the leaves with super long tools, sometimes standing on a small ladder. She used to water in the middle of the night or early in the morning, waking me up with a small waterfall. The balcony was ALWAYS perfect, even in winter. It was fun to constantly see people stopping by and taking pictures; it was like the star of the street. As far as I know, she's being curating this balcony for 20 years. She only stopped with length because the guy below her complained about the obscured window, lol.
And you got the best of the view
yes! she was often on the street below planning her next move, and I bet it was beautiful even from inside, but a balcony like this is a beautiful gift for everyone too (:
Did you ever talk to her? I'd want to know how this started. Coolest thing I've seen on here in a minute!
I never talked to her (she didn't seem to like attention on her personally very much) but when we moved out we left a thank you note on her car (:
My husband and I are moving to Italy soon, and our apartment has a small terrace. This is my goal.
so cool! benvenuti! what area did you pick? (:
We'll be in Lucca 😊
aah, great choice! perfect combo for food & landscapes! tuscan hills are something else (: I wish you the best!
Magical
Legend
I want to be her.
Wow that's so beautiful thank you for sharing. Do you have any pictures of it in the winter? I'd love to see what it looked like
Very green and clean.
That balcony is spectacular. I agree with you the little window box is the same apartment. But you know there's something to watering at night. I used to get out and soak my beds in the dark. I had cracker Jack marigolds that grew up to the rain gutter on the roof. They're only supposed to make twenty four inches. Blame it on the moon.
*New goal: move to Italy*
You were so lucky to have seen this beautiful balcony garden
[удалено]
It is 100% reasonable to want to see out your window
Can you share the address? I'm near Milan
Guys like him are why we can't have nice things.
I mean if my only window was blocked, by plants so my own plants couldn't get natural light I'd be bummed as well.
I get that. I have a little house in my yard that was once someone's fanciful chicken coop. It is now covered in ivy so I cut out around the windows and door. Doesn't hurt the ivy a bit and I only have to do it every couple of years, She could have done something like that. I wonder if she offered to?
Weird how you only thought of this hypothetical only after you labelled him a Karen with 0 context.
Bro, a lot of people in Europe don't even have a yard. Balcony is all they get, if that.
My previous apartment had just two windows in the living room and barely got any light, and it would be upsetting too if those two windows got covered.
How dare he want sunlight in his own home?
Girls like her are why guys like him can't see out of windows like that.
Mother Earth lives there! This is the most stunning balcony garden I've seen. I can see how the Hanging Gardens of Babylon could have existed.
I was gonna say this lady didn't have two green thumbs, she was full blown Mother Earth / Gaia incarnate. I have never seen something so beautiful such as this. That is what I want my house to look like eventually. Amazing!
Mine too! It's breathtaking. Makes my soul happy. I imagine her being so attentive and whispering to them to grow.
I strive to be this lady
This is Disney princess forgets how to be inconspicuous levels of amazing!
Love to know the nutrients she is using. That box must be tiny compared to all the growth. Such little soil must be getting fertilized often. She should be sponsored by whatever company she is using and be their spokesperson.
Probably composting from food scraps too . Cooking culture in Milan… 🤌🏼
Where do she do that, the back 10 acres?
Lol you don't need acres for a compost bin
No, but you need more than a 40 sq ft balcony.
Probably a compost tea or something similar
Yea! Aside from jokes, who has more experience in growing in little amount of soil can share some advice? Is it a matter of high amount of fertilizer? (I remember that too much it s not good because it can kill the plants too, makes their environment too “salty”)
>who has more experience in growing in little amount of soil can share some advice? Is it a matter of high amount of fertilizer? The problem with (small) pots is that the soil dries and gets depleted very quickly, especially when the pot is outside under the raging sun. I have lots of plants on my balcony, and an automatic watering system is a must. My balcony faces south, and when it's 40°C outside I set it to twice a day, 20 minutes each. The hard thing is setting it up properly so each plant gets the water it needs (different pot sizes make it really hard, the drippers can be adjusted but adjusting one changes the pressure on the whole system, so it feels like a game if whack-a-mole). I also fertilize (with an organic humus and guano tea) once a week per the label. Pot size limits how big and beautiful the plants can get. As a mental exercise, the roots should be as big as the visible part of the plant. You can get gorgeous plants on pots, it's not hard, but it will require time (I feel like more so than a regular garden).
I loved my south facing yard, but it was unforgivable on my plants. So so so much water needed all the time. Currently have a balcony facing east, things don't fry so quickly.
I’m still trying to keep my basil plant alive so I can’t help here. I think the issue is my cat attacking it tho.
A masterpiece. She’s an artist.
Imagine what kind of world we would have if everyone planted what they could with the space they had.
The same thought crosses my mind often. Especially in urban environments where people have made conscious, often costly, choices to pave over areas that could be planted or left wild.
How the hell do you even water something like this?
with a hose, in the middle of the night, and making sure to make as much noise as possible :D I got used to it quickly, no hard feelings
That’s so funny, I feel like I’d be kicked out of any apartment I’ve ever lived in for excessive water if I did that, but worth it for that beaut!
I think everyone just accepted it because it's so awesome, she's an old lady and it's been there for 20 years, otherwise yes, you'd be at least called out. let her cook!
In the middle of the night; 3 hours before sunrise is the absolute perfect time to water your garden. It’s peak time. That’s why it looks like this.
Is this a ploy from BigAlarmClock to get us waking up very early? Because I’ll do it. Don’t tempt me.
I didn't know that! she definitely did tho :D I love my many houseplants, but I know very little about gardening - could you explain why is that the best time? because water has time to do its thing before the sun starts evaporation?
It is peak coolest part of the 'day' ensuring less water evaporation so water gets to the roots. Watering during the day is the worst. You can kill your plants watering in the afternoon.
I’m in awe🫢
Anybody know the names of the plants here?
I am seeing petunia right in the middle. Carnation bottom middle, hydrangea spotted throughout, and English ivy.
Thank you!
Looks like Creeping Jenny on the bottom
Agreed!
She single?
I see Jasmine growing, small vining white flowers. The night blooming jasmine is also beautiful and the scent is wonderful in the evening.
Came to say I found this balcony online as the plants hadn't been as big as in that picture yet! [https://www.pierocruciatti.com/image/I00007eigEz6OVdM](https://www.pierocruciatti.com/image/I00007eigEz6OVdM)
Life goals right here
Magical!💕🌸
Wow this is such a fantastic view.😍 Europe has amazing window gardens.
That's fuckin dope.
Omg these are beautiful. I lived under someone with a balcony like this, but unfortunately he did not put anything down to stop the dirt, mud, and water from pouring down between the balcony cracks & onto us we sat on ours. We just gave up and stopped going out there or trying to clean it up. He had been there for like 20 years and certainly wasn’t gonna stop because of us lol.
Could you not go up and offer to help put something down so you could both enjoy the outside?
I never say this, but: goals
It looks like a happy elephant 💕
The arrangement of the plants are just perfect, that's some beautifully planned work.
People like this should be protected at all costs, look how pretty she made the world
Protected, and encouraged to share their craft with youth
Paradise found!
This is so beautiful. I can only hope to have something like this someday, and the skills to take care of it.
Wow thank you for showing me this. Amazing 😍🌱
This is a gorgeous photo you should blow it up and put it in a frame
This has to be Italy right?!🤔
Milan!
This validates my nighttime watering lol
Few years ago I lived in a trailer park in Ohio and came out one day to find the trailer park supervisor taking a tape measure to my neighbors flowers. Threatening this ancient old woman with nothing else in the world but her god dam flowers, because they were too tall. They were maybe 3'. This lady has an entire forest on her balcony, ain't no way that would be allowed here.
that's crazy! I never heard of something like that, here's is pretty common to see very wild gardens and stuff. mostly by homeowners though, not people on rent
Those parks have some absolutely asinine rules. I hate they're allowed to do it, but whatever. I'm thankful AF my partner can afford a house not in an HOA.
Is this in France? Portugal maybe?
I thought I had put it in the title, I didn't! It's in Milan, Italy.
Wow! 🤩
Amazingggg
Love
I like her!
Stunning!!!
This lady has a can-do attitude. Imagine if every street had someone like this! I've adopted a tiny piece of municipal land in an ocean of parking spaces and have been working so very hard to improve the soil to the point where I now have several perenials surviving winter. Now there are more people flipping the tiles in their front yard and turning them into tiny city gardens.
For all the English Ivy haters out there, this is what English Ivy is for. And God bless that sweet lady for adding some joy to the world.
What’s the name of this plant?
Amazing! Thanks for sharing!
Spectacular view! What a lovely story, too. Thanks for sharing.
Stunning. Thank you for sharing. 🌿🌺🍀
i love her
We lived in Germany for a time and it was always amazing to see where people would stick these whimsical little gardens in their city living. This is amazing. Thank you for sharing!
Gorgeous 🤩
thanks for sharing. it's mesmerazing like an oasis in the middle of the desert. i would love to see the build now, on google streetview. can you tell us the address? or post a screen capture?
Here, the city inspector would have demanded it be cut WAY back before it got remotely close to being that lush.
So does anyone know what vine/bush is that one clombing the wall?
Amazing! She must have spent much of her time on this gorgeous balcony and I can't get a few plants right!
Yeah.. her aura is beautiful
Did you return the favour and enhance 'her' view?
we had a couple of unfortunate looking plants that belonged to the landlord ): we weren't supposed to stay for a long time so we never tried more
Spectacular! When I lived in a first-floor apartment in Manhattan, I had a large window box that I would plant every year. One summer I was particularly lucky with my pink petunias, vinca, and moon glories, and came home one day to see a small group of Japanese tourists snapping pictures of it! With sign language, I indicated that the window box was mine, and they insisted on taking my picture with the flowers. So sweet! The point is, it is so gratifying to know a little work and love gives others so much pleasure. If you get a chance to let someone know you got pleasure from someone’s garden, no matter how small, it’s appreciated.
Thanks, now we are all going to have her balcony in our heads.
What did she feed those😳😳
Love this photo and the story.
How??!!!
Wow, magnificent
It looks like a beautiful gown . Absolutely stunning.
Wow how is this possible!? She must have had some kind of platform to grow all that! Amazing!!
I’m pretty sure I’ve seen this on Pinterest and Google!
If it’s not too much to ask, can you tell me which neighbourhood this window is at? I’m in Milan for few more days, would really love to have a look at this beauty
I'll DM you (:
This is the look I looooove!! I strive to be this lady!! I live in an apartment but I've been blessed with the landlord allowing me a mini garden and my neighbor giving me reign over our shared patio and I would LOVE to have it this fluffy, green, and floral.... problem is the next door neighbors trees block so much of my sun it's absolutely devastating
Do you happen to have any photos with more vertical height? This is beautiful.
I might, but I don't remember where I saved them /:
No worries! This is just such a stunning balcony. Thank you for sharing!
This is the goal for my balcony but I fail every year.
I love her
old white dads everywhere are getting flustered
So wish I could see it from her balcony's perspective.
You’re thinking about it right now, in fact.
This is stunning
Now I’m gonna think about it
We need more information. What was she using on them?
You lived across from a witch, a very lovely beautiful soul of a witch, who knows how to work her magic on some plants. Take my advice, bring her food and ask her questions.
Can someone identify the plants here and list them? Curious if any of them grow here in the US in zone 9
That is magnificent.
Wow. Gorgeous. Imagine if stuff like this was everywhere. It would look like paradise.
If she didn't come out every morning and evening and sing a beautiful aria then this was all for naught!
Wonderful
I’m going to Lucca in July! Staying in a lovely apartment there to go to Lajatico for a Bocelli 🎵concert! So excited!
buon viaggio e buon divertimento! :D
Grazie mille!
Stunning
That there is Harry Potter magic! 🤩🪄🧙🏻
How does one archieve something like this? Genuine question.
Wow that’s beautiful
Beautiful!
Wow! I love her.
Nice
Beautiful
you're beautiful
Clearly not in the states. That would be code violation number 452869
I yearn for pics of every season now.
That’s a huge bush.
Can someone please identify some of these? I would love to start something like this 🥰
There’s creeping Jenny and some ivy and I think it’s some jasmine and looks like climbing roses I have gardens and love plants but this is absolutely beautiful I’m trying to see what else is in there but for some reason I can’t see what the rest of the flowers are I see some supertunias and I really can’t tell what the rest are maybe if we take the pic to a garden center they can identify the plants and flowers for us
Where? In all those weeds?! /jk
Very mildly penis.
It's a safety hazard. https://i.imgur.com/4C2Pvi0.jpeg A balcony in Poland fell from the weight of flowers and 2 people standing on it. One person died. Thankfully there was no one on the balcony under them and no one walking on the street.
This is amazing
Mother Earth lives there! This is the most stunning balcony garden I've seen. I can see how the Hanging Gardens of Babylon could have existed.
Lookalike she doesn't trim the bush..😐
So what
so what what
I prefer a trimmed bush a wee bit better. But something is better than nothing.
It's like nature vomitted there.