Question: My balcony garden still feels rather bare, even with potted plants in a trough. What else can I add that’s low-maintenance?

Answer:A balcony can feel rather cold and lifeless as the flooring is usually hard tile or concrete. You can warm up your little garden instantly by overlaying the floor with timber decking of teak or hardy chengai in a light or medium tone.

If cost and time are issues, a more pocket-friendly way is to install a “lawn” – an instant one, that is. Fake turf is now available in an amazing number of grassy textures and patterns, which are much more realistic than the flat green variety used in golf courses.

This new-generation synthetic turf is very durable as it is made for high-traffic areas such as malls, and the better quality varieties even have anti-UV and anti-fungal properties. On hot days, the grass carpet will also cool down the balcony area. All it needs is a well-ventilated space and regular vacuuming.

Look for your grass carpet at garden shows and landscaping centres. Your interior designer should also be able to source it for you.