以前總覺得，要有一個院子，才叫做有自己的花園。
後來才發現，
都市裡的一座陽台，
其實也可以成為家裡的一方小綠地。
不用太整齊，也不用每一盆都精心設計。
我反而喜歡把香草直接種進花圃裡，
讓迷迭香、薄荷和其他植物高高低低、錯落地長著。
有些往上，
有些向旁邊伸展，
每天看起來都不太一樣。
比起一盆一盆排得整整齊齊，
這種有點自然、有點隨性的樣子，
反而更有花園的感覺。
而且香草不只是拿來看的。
煮飯煎肉的時候，
走到陽台剪一點迷迭香；
想泡杯飲料，
就摘幾片薄荷。
植物真的進入生活以後，
陽台就不只是「綠化」，
而是每天都會使用的一個地方。
我也很喜歡陽光照進來的時候。
有些花瓣被照得透亮，
有些躲在陰影裡，
原本只是一片天空的窗外，
多了植物當前景之後，
突然就有了深度。
甚至修剪下來的小花、小枝條，
也捨不得直接丟掉。
隨手插進一個小花器，
又把陽台的一點風景帶進了家裡。
我們也一直在尋找一個生活的可能：
住在都市裡，
陽台除了曬衣服、放冷氣主機，
還能不能有更好的綠生活方式？
不一定要做成很大的花園，
一座陽台、
一小塊花圃、
幾株自己喜歡的植物，
就已經可以讓生活離自然近一點。
你家的陽台呢？
是香草、觀葉植物、花，
還是已經被曬衣服佔滿了？😂
I used to think you needed a yard to have a garden of your own.
Later I realised
a balcony in the city
can also become a small patch of green for the home.
It doesn't have to be neat, and not every pot needs careful design.
I actually like planting herbs straight into the planter,
letting rosemary, mint and other plants grow tall and short, scattered together.
Some reach upward,
some spread sideways,
and every day it looks a little different.
Compared with pots lined up in neat rows,
this slightly wild, easygoing look
feels much more like a garden.
And herbs aren't just for looking at.
When cooking or searing meat,
step onto the balcony and snip a little rosemary;
fancy a drink,
pick a few mint leaves.
Once plants truly become part of daily life,
the balcony is no longer just "greenery"
but a place you use every day.
I also love the moment the sunlight comes in.
Some petals glow translucent,
others hide in the shade;
the view from the window that was once just sky
suddenly gains depth
with plants in the foreground.
Even the small flowers and sprigs I trim off
are too good to throw away.
Popped into a little vase,
they bring a bit of the balcony's scenery indoors.
We keep looking for a new possibility for living:
living in the city,
beyond drying clothes and housing the air-conditioning unit,
could a balcony offer a better, greener way of life?
It doesn't have to be a big garden.
A balcony,
a small planter bed,
a few plants you love
are already enough to bring life a little closer to nature.
What about your balcony?
Herbs, foliage plants, flowers,
or already taken over by laundry? 😂