Balcony Garden: Grow Your Own Vegetables, Herbs and Fruit!
If you have a gardener's heart beating in your chest, but you don't have a place to dig your hands into soil, your balcony can provide an unexpectedly satisfying alternative. The keys to success are sufficiently large pots or planters, regular watering, and quality substrate. The orientation of your balcony towards the cardinal directions also plays an important role. A sunny balcony is simply a win. You'll find it most difficult to realize your growing enthusiasm on north-facing balconies. Permanent shading by other buildings can also present a problem.
How to Choose the Right Size Containers?
The smaller the pot, the less space the plant will have to grow and it will also have a harder time managing water. Herbs such as basil, oregano, sage, or dill will grow well from direct sowing in a regular planter or larger pot. Purchased herb seedlings in tiny pots should definitely be transplanted into larger ones as soon as possible.
For growing standard garden varieties of staking tomatoes, you need a container with substrate of at least 20 liters per plant. Sometimes instead of a container, a thicker plastic bag with holes at the bottom for water drainage is used, or various other types of bags and sacks specially designed for growing. Fruiting vegetables generally need the most space. On a balcony, you can successfully grow even pickling cucumbers or hokkaido squash.
If you decide to grow radishes, a planter where you can sow them in two rows is sufficient. For carrots, however, you must choose a deeper container (at least 30 cm) that allows the long roots optimal conditions for development. Potatoes also require a deep container. Small chilli peppers are perfect for growing on a balcony and a classic planter is enough for them. Various lettuces, arugula, or spinach will also do fine with a planter.
For growing vegetables, you can also use self-watering planters, but you need to be careful that the substrate doesn't stay waterlogged for long periods. Only add new water when the reservoir is empty.
Varieties of Vegetables and Herbs Suitable for Balconies
For some popular crops, there are varieties specially bred for balcony growing. Perhaps the most famous among them are balcony tomatoes, such as Vilma. These are compact bush varieties of low growth that produce abundantly flavourful cherry tomatoes. Despite their small size, they appreciate support in the form of a low stake. A plant laden with fruit cannot support itself and it would be a shame if it broke off.
Among low-growing herbs, compact basil varieties will bring you joy on your balcony, such as dwarf basil. They usually have sturdy, well-branching stems and small, exceptionally aromatic leaves. In a pot, they create a dense bush that is visually attractive as well.
Watering Is Entirely Up to You, Nature Won't Help
In a garden, nature takes care of watering more or less, and your help is only needed during longer dry periods. Balconies usually don't receive as many raindrops, so the complete responsibility in this regard lies with you. On the hottest summer days, it's often necessary to water both morning and evening. After watering, refill the watering can immediately so the water can reach ambient temperature before the next watering. Ice-cold water won't please any plants. Regularly check the condition of the substrate; if it's still sufficiently moist, postpone watering, as most plants cannot tolerate constant waterlogging. Ideally, however, the substrate should not dry out completely. On the balcony, also ensure that pots and planters have sufficiently large saucers to prevent water from overflowing and dripping down onto the neighbours' laundry. Also pay attention to fertilising; you'll certainly find suitable fertiliser for fruiting vegetables as well as balcony plants.
Flowers Belong on the Balcony
Despite the abundance of herbs and vegetables, don't forget about flowers. Geraniums or petunias simply belong on the balcony. From seeds, you can try growing undemanding marigolds or edible nasturtiums. However, fruit is not forbidden for balcony gardens either. Everbearing trailing strawberries are ideal for container growing. Picking sweet strawberries will delight both children and adults.
