Are you looking forward to creating the perfect balcony garden but don't know where and how to start? Don't worry, in this blog, we have created a detailed list of things you should know to create your dream balcony garden. Whether you live in a house with a big balcony or a small one, we have compiled multiple ideas for all sizes. Growing plants in a limited space might be difficult, but it gives an opportunity to be creative with the space. From deciding what to grow, choosing the perfect pots, to arranging them, the article has it all.
Planning Your Balcony Garden
Before starting with planting, plan how to use your available space on the balcony. Check whether the balcony supports what you are planning to grow and can accommodate the number of plants you plan to keep. Here are a few tips you can consider:
Assess Your Space and the Amount of Sunlight Received
The first step is to realistically assess your space and all the factors required for a plant's healthy growth. This assessment can help you arrange your balcony garden for healthy plant growth. Look for the following points:
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The amount of sunlight your balcony receives
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The available space you have identified for planters and containers
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The degree of weather protection your plants will receive on the balcony
Check for Climatic Conditions and Positioning of Plants
Consider the following climatic factors while planning your garden:
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First, check the local climate and select plants accordingly.
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Make sure your vegetables are positioned to receive enough sunlight.
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If your balcony is raised, look for sheltered spots to shield it from external elements such as strong winds, snow, and heavy rain.
Buy Seedlings Instead of Seeds
Buying seedlings from a local nursery and planting them in your garden can be a good start to your gardening process. Starting seeds can be a good option to try if you are already good at gardening. But if you're a novice gardener, buy seedlings from a local nursery for fast growth.
Create a Space in the Balcony for the Garden
A balcony garden doesn't require a lot of space. You can create planting space by using overhead structures, railings, and walls. Attach pots, shelves, or trellises to the walls of your balcony and create a vertical garden. If your balcony has a ceiling, hang plants from hooks. To support climbing plants, cover your balcony railings with chicken wire or buy plant hangers that can be attached to the top of the railing. Even the smallest balcony can seem more spacious and welcoming if you choose plant colors and textures that complement your interior decor.
Types of Balcony Garden Plants
If you have enough space on the balcony that receives adequate shade and sunlight, you can grow almost any kind of plant that is suitable for container gardening. If you live in a cold climate zone and want to avoid starting your garden every spring, consider growing hardy plants that can be brought inside during the winter or left outside all year. Below are some plants you can grow in your balcony garden:
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A variety of herbs
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Vegetables
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Small trees like dwarf citrus trees or olive trees
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Small bushy plants
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Annuals and perennials
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Succulents
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Tropical houseplants like Philodendron
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Climbing plants like flowering vines
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Cacti and vegetables that grow in direct sunlight
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Low-light plants like coleus and ferns
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Leaf vegetables like chard, spinach, and lettuce
Planters and Their Types to Consider
Installing Balcony Railing Planters
Your balcony railings are the best spot in your garden as they receive maximum sunlight and don't occupy additional space. Due to these features, attaching planters to balcony railings can be quite overwhelming. Selecting the right railing style is important because a wrong choice can prove fatal. This is because poorly secured planters may fall during the strong winds and hit the balconies.
Sit-on-Top Planters
Generally, sit-on-top planters have a notched bottom that precisely fits the size of your railings if they are standard. Simply fill them with soil and plant the vegetation of your choice. However, these might not be the best choice if your balcony is exposed to the wind. The reason is that they can be blown away, especially when the soil dries out and the planter gets lighter.
Attachment-Style Planters
Attachment-style planters are designed to be placed around the railing using a hook. The planter presses against the side of the railing, resting on its own weight. It can be difficult to find the right design that goes with the railing. To ease this, measure the width of your planter box and compare it to the planter box's hook or attachment size.
Tips to Choose a Suitable Container for Balcony Gardening
There are different sizes and shapes of balcony gardening containers available. While some can be hung on walls or balcony railings, others can be kept on the ground. The choice of container depends on the kind of plants you want to grow. Here are a few things to keep in mind while choosing a suitable container for your balcony garden:
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Choosing large pots is a smart choice for larger plants. These make it easier to maintain several plants by enabling them to be grown together.
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Herbs, flowers, and vegetable plants can be grown in smaller pots. Any nursery or garden center will have railing planters or small pots.
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You can also use recycled materials to create your own pots. For example, clay pots, plastic bottles, or old tires.
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Choose pots that have drainage holes in them. This lessens the chance of too much moisture building up, leading to disease.
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You should also avoid pots that are too big or heavy.
How to Maintain Your Balcony Garden?
How Do You Water Your Balcony Garden?
Use a sink or bathtub to water your plants, as your rooftop might not have direct access to an outdoor water supply. Use these methods when watering your plants to make the process more convenient:
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Consider purchasing a large, handy watering can if you have a variety of plants to care for. Collapsible watering cans are great space-savers for balcony gardens because they can be flattened when not in use.
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To ensure that not a drop of water is wasted, place saucers or trays underneath your plants to collect any extra. Pots that water themselves can also help conserve water.
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Invest in a lightweight, expandable garden hose that can be connected to a kitchen sink via an adapter and eliminate the need for watering cans. These hoses can retract for easy storage when not in use.
Fertilization Tips
It is important to fertilize balcony gardens at an interval of a few weeks. Fertilizers containing potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen give maximum nutrition to plants. However, over-fertilization may eventually lead to root rots. Therefore, organic fertilizers should be used. By managing the application of fertilizer, you can create a beautiful garden without compromising the health of plants.
Conclusion
Once you know the basics of gardening, you can start planning your balcony garden. You can use your creativity to create a unique balcony garden for your apartment, even if you're a beginner in gardening. Consider factors like the size of pots you need and the sunlight your balcony receives. You can turn your balcony into a lovely and peaceful retreat with a little careful planning.
