If we are being completely honest, your bike and other oddly sized objects are most likely kept in storage on your balcony by default. But what if you turned it into your haven of calm in the heart of a busy city, furnished with some of your favorite veggies and mood-enhancing greenery? One word of caution: ensure that balcony gardening is permitted by reading your lease or association guidelines carefully before you begin. Furthermore, you should confirm that your balcony can support a reasonable amount of weight (large planters packed with moist soil can be bulky!). Think for a second about climate as well. How shady is your balcony? Sweltering in the summer heat? Windy? A tunnel of wind on gusty days? Make sure to consider each of these factors while deciding what to cultivate.
Top Plants for Gardens on Balconies
Selecting plants that will flourish on your balcony will be easier if you have a firm understanding of its microclimate. Here are some points to consider:
Because of their low profile and capacity to hold moisture, succulents are wind-resistant.
Anything with a coastal feel, such as sea holly, sea kale, and cordyline, is meant to flourish in strong winds and temperatures.
Herbs are chosen according to the lighting on your balcony
Small-sized or dwarf plants and shrubs that do well in pots, such as hydrangea, boxwood, lemon trees, and bay laurel
Trailing vines, such as morning glory, clematis, and bougainvillea, that can overflow planting boxes or window boxes
Annuals with vibrant colors, such as hibiscus and canna
Vegetables that thrive in pots, such as cucumbers, eggplants, peppers, bush tomatoes, and greens
The Greatest Pots for a Terrace Garden
Ever attempted to lift a large soil-filled ceramic planter? In that case, let’s just state that you definitely underestimate its weight! Even though a heavyweight pot might fit on your balcony, we advise choosing a lighter option to make it easier to carry the container outside. If possible, choose ones that are weather-resistant so you can keep them outside all year. Expert advice: Don’t use terracotta planters. In addition to being heavier than pots made of plastic or resin, they also require more frequent watering.
When watering your plants, don’t forget to set trays underneath them to avoid accidentally watering your downstairs neighbors.
Additionally, don’t feel obligated to limit yourself to conventional pots. Seek out bins made to go over railings, think about going vertical, and don’t overlook hanging baskets!
The Tips for Balcony Garden Care
These helpful hints will make almost any balcony garden (yours included!) attractive and productive.
Select high-quality soil. One of our best tips to decrease the load when using a large container for shallow-rooted plants, such as annual flowers, is: When it’s time to plant, take your plants out of their plastic containers, gently place them on newspaper, and then stack the empty containers upside down in the planter’s bottom to make more room. When they are covered with potting mix, planting can begin.
Recognize your brilliance. Remember that studying the particular lighting conditions on your balcony will help you choose plants that will grow well there.
Water, water, and more water. A plant may become dehydrated by living on the brink! Balcony plants lose water quickly because they are frequently burned by the heat and battered by the wind. Choose plants with lower water requirements by being water-smart, and make sure you check on them every day to ensure they don’t dry up.
Feed effortlessly.The same all-purpose plant nutrition that you use for your indoor plants will also be ideal for your balcony plants.
