Are you looking for an extra space where you can place some of your plants? I have personally found out that the balcony is the perfect place to grow some plants! However, not all plants can grow in containers within shaded areas. In this article, I am going to give you some tips onstarting a balcony garden how to successfully grow your own balcony garden!
Measure your Sunlight
Do you get some sun or some shade in your balcony? How many hours of sunlight does your balcony get every day and how many days a week? This is one thing to consider before starting a balcony garden.
Choose Your Type of Garden
You also need to plan out what type of garden you like. Do you prefer your garden to be organic or conventional? Do you plan on using chemicals and fertilizers? If you plan to use pesticides and other chemicals, you must know about their health consequences. This should be one of your considerations in starting a balcony garden.
You should also choose your plants as what will be discussed below. Furthermore, you should make a daily commitment to water your plants. You can choose plants that require less maintenance if you have a busy lifestyle.
Get Gardener Help
When starting a balcony garden, it is best to see an expert gardener. Expert gardeners are usually more than willing to help beginner gardeners like you since gardening is a continuous learning experience both for experienced and inexperienced gardeners.
Choose Your Plants
When making a choice on plants, be definite to look for indicators of healthy plants. The plant leaves should not be wilted and should be green and alive.
Some gardeners say that if the plants are a little older they tend to do better. Test it out and see whether you like seedlings or if bigger plants can work better for you.
Next, check for the roots of the plant. The roots should not be too compact or tangled. It good to see the roots; however you must also be seeing rich darkish soil with the roots.
Be sure that there are no powdery substances on the plant. This powdery substance could be a fungus or mold and might later wreck the plant.
Here are the vegetables, herbs and plants we recommend you to grow:
- Cucumbers
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Radishes and carrots
- Strawberries
- Mint
- Rosemary
- Cilantro
When you’re new at balcony gardening, you may plant just a few to see what happens. Too much of something is not a good thing. You can plant a few and buy more if they grow.
Choose Your Containers
While you choose on the best high-quality container, it’s a good idea to hold the size of container you prefer in mind, to be sure there will likely be a lot of room for your plant to grow.
Each container has their advantages and disadvantages, however it’s important for you to buy what is good for you.
When you go to a nursery you are going to find many container choices. Here are some of them:
Clay Pot
They’re typically low priced, however they can easily crack due to frost and powerful winds and have a tendency to soak up more water intended for the plant
Plastic Pot
They are very lightweight and can hold water good, but they can tip easily with strong winds.
Wooden Container
They are able to manage various types of climates; however they can rot after absorbing water if they are not lined. However cedar wood is not easily prone to rot.
Foam Container
They provide just right insulation, however they aren’t as environmentally friendly.
Metal Container
They are sturdy and hold water well; however they can attract an excessive amount of warmness, which can also be dangerous to the plant.
Stone Container
They are very durable and they retain water good, but may be heavy to carry and can also be costly. You can also use old paint cans, old watering cans and old drawers as containers for plants.