Living in a city apartment comes with a notable drawback of lacking a backyard or garden space. Nevertheless, if your apartment includes a balcony, there is still potential to utilize it effectively. You can cultivate specific plants in pots or planters on your balcony, which require minimal upkeep and swiftly invigorate the area. Whether you opt for delightful fruits or vibrant houseplants, you can create your own little garden. Moreover, growing your own vegetables can contribute to saving money on grocery expenses.
However, there are important factors to consider before commencing your balcony garden. Firstly, assess whether your balcony can bear the weight of the potted plants. If possible, opt for lighter plastic or resin planters instead of heavier clay pots. Additionally, take into account the extent to which your plants are exposed to various weather conditions. It is recommended to establish wind protection measures such as windscreens or choose plants that can withstand strong gusts during windy weather.
#1. Sweet Alyssum
- Growing Alyssum:
- Provide ample sunlight for your Alyssum plants, although they can tolerate some shade, they thrive in full light.
- Water the Alyssum occasionally, ensuring the soil fully dries out between waterings. Give them around one inch of water per week.
- Deadhead the plants to encourage growth.
#2. Herbs
- Growing Herbs:
- Herbs flourish in full sun and well-drained, moist-retentive soil enriched with organic matter.
- Plant quick-seeding herbs like coriander and dill every two weeks during spring and summer.
#3. Strawberries
- Growing Strawberries:
- While strawberries can tolerate some shade, they thrive best in full sun, resulting in the tastiest fruits.
- They prefer healthy, well-drained slightly acidic soil.
- Optimal growth is achieved by planting them in raised beds that provide improved drainage and deeper root systems, especially in heavy or poor soil conditions.
#4. Succulents And Cacti
- Growing Succulents:
- Succulents can thrive in homes with low relative humidity levels.
- They require minimal fertilizer and water but ample sunshine.
- Most succulents and cacti prefer well-draining sandy soil.
#5. Verbena
- Growing Verbena:
- Compost-amended soil is ideal for verbena, although it can grow in various soil types with proper drainage.
- These low-maintenance flowers thrive in sunny locations.
- Clay or compacted soil can lead to root rot, so ensure the soil is relatively damp without excessive water to prevent root rot or mildew.
#6. Lavender
- Growing Lavender:
- Lavender requires full sunlight and well-drained soil for optimal growth.
- In hot summer areas, it can flourish even in midday shade.
- Avoid adding organic matter to the soil before planting lavender, as it prefers low to moderate soil fertility. Lavender thrives in neutral to slightly alkaline soils.
#7. Tomato
- Growing Tomatoes:
- Plant tomatoes deep enough so that the first set of leaves is just visible above the soil line. Firmly plant and water thoroughly.
- Tomatoes prefer the hottest, sunniest location that is shielded from strong winds.
- Prior to planting tomatoes, ensure the soil is rich, well-draining, and moisture-retentive by incorporating garden compost.
#8. Begonia Pendula
- Growing Begonias:
- Grow begonias in dappled sunlight to partial shade using peat-free multipurpose compost.
- Plant tuberous begonia tubers in spring, avoiding frosts.
- Provide weekly feedings with a high-potash fertilizer, such as tomato feed, and water daily.
#9. Fuchsia
- Growing Fuchsias:
- Fuchsias are content when provided with sunlight, well-drained soil, and sturdy pots.
- Feed and deadhead the plants while keeping the soil consistently moist for optimal results.
- Hard prune robust fuchsias in spring, and for delicate fuchsias, pinch off stems to encourage more blossoms.
#10. Pansies
- Growing Pansies:
- Pansies prefer full or partial sunlight but thrive in cooler temperatures. Choose a planting spot with early sunlight exposure but protection from midday sun.
- Well-drained, fertile soil enriched with organic materials promotes profuse blooming.
- When selecting a container for pansies, consider airflow and drainage.
