I put down outdoor carpet (the kind with marine backing) and use saucers. The carpet catches most of the excess, but it doesn't mildew. I use clay pots and saucers, generally the pot can absorb any excess fairly easily, although this does cause a buildup of salts over time, so i occasionally take them to the shower and flush the pots. I move pots to the front edge of the balcony when i water and move them back after they drain. That way, the water doesn't drip all over the downstairs porch, only towards the front, which is where their porch gets wet when it rains anyway, and i try to water when it's raining if possible. (That's much easier to accomplish in the summer when it rains every day.) So what water does end up on their porch drips in a predictable way, and if they keep their porch furniture towards the back wall it won't get wet. I also try not to water during the times i know they are actively using their porch, like in the early evening after work. I would discuss if with them but there is a language barrier, so i just attempt to be as considerate as possible. I notice that their porch is beginning to fill up with pots too lol.

For your bay tree, perhaps a plant stand with a drip tray under is the answer.

I have my bigger pots in saucers, but propped up (inside the saucer) on pot feet or pop bottle caps, so they're generally above the level of water. Allegedly if you get a wick you can run it up through the hole and use the saucer a spare watering reservoir but I've never seen any of these "wicks".

You do have to watch out for mosquito larvae. I try to dump them out toward the end of heavy rain storms (that way the neighbor doesn't notice any extra water.)

I wonder if you could manage to do someting similer to "rain gutters" - perhaps a piece of plastic all the way around the edge to keep the water from spillig over, ad then a short length of PVP pipe for the water to drain through, placing it so that the water drains away from the porch?

I'm not exactly sure how well this would work, or exactly how you would accomplish this, but something to think about anyways...

I used outdoor silicone sealant to seal the gap between the floor and bottom railing, I use 4-5 gallons to water my orchids, the water that collects on the floor is gone by the evening.

Now the down side, when it rains my balcony sometimes gets flooded, so i had to buy a shopvac :)

Thanks for the advice y'all! I went downstairs and introduced myself the other day. She was very nice (and has an incredibly cute little girl!). As soon as she opened the door I could see that dripping water was not gonna be a problem (at least for awhile!) since her couch was set across the patio door! So she hasnt even noticed the water dripping! Nevertheless, I think I will try getting some trays (at least for the smaller pots. I will have to see how much water accumulates, and how fast it evaporates cause I dont want to encourage mosquitoes!

Marie in wa and FLAME747, if I were handy with tools and building things, I might try to rig something up, but I am not. Plus I think the management frowns on such things.

BTW, neighbor did say she had tried to plant pansies on her patio and they didnt do very well. She asked me if she could ask me for advice when spring comes (LOL) I told her I was a beginner but that I had learned a whole lot from this forum but I told her I would help anyway I could. I am pretty sure I know what her problem is. I doubt she gets much sun on her patio. The first floor apartments are like basement apartments. It is almost completely below the level of the parking lot. The retaining wall is only about 6' away from the patio probably blocks most of the sun. My second floor balcony is just above the level of the parking lot. Maybe it would get an hour or so in early afternoon (if that much)when the sun is in the west but still pretty high in the sky. There is also another retaining wall and some trees across the parking lot that blocks the sun as it gets lower in the early evening. Does anybody have any suggestions for easy flowers/plants that would grow in such conditions?

Lydia

Hello,

I have a balcony that doesn't get much sun - only early morning and a tad right before sunset. My pansies did very well last spring. I picked off the dead ones each day and they lasted until I finally took them out mid June to plant my regular flowers. So, I wonder if it's possible that she just didn't get good pansies to start with? Also, for other plants, I'd try the Super Petunias. Those went crazy on my balcony last year. Also, Lobilia works well. Hope that helps!

~Deborah

Home Depot stores, etc., sell different types of inexpensive plastic covers for window wells (go for flat, not bubble-shaped). Let the lip of the tray jut out through the bottom of the railing/wall, and the water will fall out and away from your neighbor's balcony downstairs.

That's assuming the edge of the balcony/patio downstairs is even with yours.

I should buy a few of these for my upstairs neighbor, while I'm at it ... I have window boxes wintering indoors that have been sprouting baby coleus plants like crazy! My containers were only out for a month or so in the fall, after moving in, but she's got a vigorous abundance of 'em up there, and I'm guessing the seeds came down in her water runoff. I'm all for free plants, but this is ridiculous...

that is not a silly question. i say that. as i am the lower neighbor below someone who has plants and throws bread and rice out to feed birds and all the dirty water and crums comes down on my patio and my furniture ...and me when i am sitting outside. the dirty water constantly made my windows dirty too. and i was constantly having to sweep the crumbs and stuff off. it gets old fast. there has to be some solition to put under plants to solve this issue.

Hi just say how conciderate you all are, i am on the lower ground floor, we have had problems with some neigbours above us in the past. One had a water system on a timer, that came on at 6pm and 6am, we asked them to change the timing for a better time, than getting rained on when sat outside to eat a meal. For me it’s all about timing, we have a small garden, and we know plants need water, and more so in containers, what i don’t get is people that used these patio railing hanging pots and place them out over the railings instead of inside, i take they don’t like the water on their patios?. Thank you for using pots or containers with the water holders, i know they are more, expensive but can save you some water and watering the neighors patio.

My downstairs neighbor never comes out on her patio. She never sweeps it clear of accumulated leaves and other natural debris. I believe that whatever water from me watering my balcony garden which pours down between the boards comprising my balcony floor have to improve her patio by washing stuff down the drain. There isn't a great deal of water which pours down, nor does it contain crumbs, bird food, etc. We seem to be friendly and she never mentions water pouring down about once a week. I guess I'm lucky.

I am the receiving neighbor to my upstairs neighbors watering their plants and getting it all over our bbq and storage box. I left a note to ask them to please put something under them and they continue to ignore me. Wish they were more like you! keep up the good work!

After giving lot of thoughts, i came up with the cheapest idea. I used old banner from streets and cut it the way it fits on the area which will shape as a tray. I hope it will last for min 3 years at least.