Get ready to take off get on your balcony this leaping ! Regardless of your outside space , start a gardenon a patio or balcony is a fun challenge that any gardener , founder , or expert can seek . Whether you live in a condominium or anapartmentwith limited space , growing plant in containers and pots can elevate your gardening plot .

Although , container gardeningrequires a little more work than plant growing in the ground . Containers dry out more quick , require more frequent care , and regular fertilizing . But , not to interest , with these summit and advice , you ’ll be growing on your balcony in no time at all !

show on and unwrap six tips for a successful balcony garden – from which flora to grow to what size container to apply and more .

Japanese beetle on a leaf close up

1. Select Container-Friendly Plants

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Before you start produce on a balcony , it ’s important to calculate out what type of plant you want to grow . Quite a few different flower , vegetables , and herb grow well in containers . When deciding , appear forcontainer - friendly varietiesthat are labeled as patio , dwarf , or bush . These plant will be more compact than other variety and are specifically design to grow in containers .

If you aregrowing from seed , understand the back of the semen packet to determine how big the works will get , along with when to sow in your source . For transplant , check the plant tatter to fix the variety . Research the type of plant first and prefer heavyset sort whenever possible .

Forget-me-nots in a rainy garden

The most pop comestible plants to grow in containers includetomatoes , pepper , Solanum melongena , beans , andcucumbers . Greens likelettuce , spinach , arugula , and swiss chard also do particularly well in mickle expand on your balcony .

If you enjoy growing blossom , some container change include marigold , dahlias , zinnias , and geraniums . When it come toherbs , almost all will thrive in container – frombasiltoparsleyto oregano and more . The options are endless , so opt veg and herbs that you and your kinsperson will enjoy cooking with !

2. Choose the Right Container Size

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After you have prefer what types of plant to grow on your balcony , it ’s metre to choose yourcontainers . You ’ll want to have a wide variety of container sizes as different plants will require different sizes . The most common types of container areterra cotta , clay , ceramic , plastic , and wood .

All container should have right drainage hole which appropriate water system to enfeeble out of the bottom . This prevents water from building up in the base of the container , leading to issues like radical rot , fungous disease , and even engraft dying .

Spreading mulch in the garden

works that grow best in a large container that is 18 to 24 inches deep include tomato , potato , noodle , courgette , squash , and cucumber . Eggplant , peppers , beets , peas , kale , and celery develop in a more average sized container ( 12 to 18 inch deep ) . Shallow root vegetables like pelf , spinach , arugula , green onion , and chives do well in a modest container that is 6 to 9 inch deep .

3. Place Plants Based on Sunlight

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Create a plan for yourcontainer gardenby figuring out how many hours of sunlight each area of your balcony receives . You ’ll need to place your works around the balcony base on light exposure and temperature . Certain country may be blasted with all - day sun and intense heat , whereas other spot may be shadier and only get a few hours of sunlight . yield attention to these detail and place your flora consequently .

Plants that flourish infull sunlight , which is anywhere from six to eight time of day per day , are tomatoes , peppers , eggplant , squash , and noggin . flora that will brook some tincture are cabbage , arugula , prickly-seeded spinach , swiss chard , broccoli , and turnip .

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4. Companion Planting

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Typically if you aregrowing on a balcony , you ’re in all probability dealing with special space . If you need to mature even more plant in your minor space , deliberate take advantage ofcompanion planting . associate planting is a great way to grow multiple plants together in the same container . This reserve you to utilise the place on your balcony and grow more in less square footage . On top of this , companion planting also deters pests , promotes flora outgrowth , andattracts pollinators .

Choose plants that have similar growing conditions and embed them together in the same pot . Leave decent space in between the plants so they can continue to grow to their full size . Do your enquiry beforehand to ensure that whatever flora you have chosen will grow well together .

Container garden on the balcony. Top view on eggplants, tomato, annual dahlia, tagetes and portulaca

One lesson is institute basil or marigold at the base of yourtomato plants . Basil improves the flavor of your tomato , andmarigoldshelp with pollenation and keep away unwanted insects . Another alternative is planting Nasturtium withkale , cabbage , orbroccoliplants . Nasturtiums repel caterpillars that love to crunch on the leafage of these cruciferous vegetables .

5. Mulch Plants and Water Regularly

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Watering your container gardenproperly is so important to keep your plant growing healthy and strong . Container plant dry out out much faster than plant originate in the worldly concern , so having a regular lachrymation schedule is a must .

container plants need water system more often so check on your plants each day to verify that the soil remains moist . screen the dirt by inserting your finger into the container . piddle when the first few in of soil feel dry to the touch . If you are timid , you’re able to measure the dirt moisture by using a wet meter .

Various potted herbs and plants growing on home wood balcony in summer, small vegetable garden concept. small garden

Mulchingaround your plants is another way of life to help hold back wet in your containers and keep the grunge cool . Apply a level of mulch to all your containers , about 3 inch blockheaded . Bark , wood chips , fallen leaf , and pale yellow are a fewnatural mulch choices .

Pro Tip : Water your plant in the other sunup , if potential , before the Sunday rises . This allow your container plants to better brave the heat and sun throughout the day .

6. Fertilize Your Balcony Garden

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Container flora need to be fertilized on a regular basis to promote new growth and fill again essential nutrients in the ground . Over time , industrial plant will lose nutrient in their soil from wind and pelting . fertilise your balcony garden every few weeks to keep your plants well-chosen .

Transform Your Balcony Space

Container gardening is a fun and creative way to get growing on your balcony ! Whether you require to acquire heyday , fruit , vegetables , or kitchen herb – do n’t let the size of your outdoor space stop you . Just think of , proper watering and fertilizing is crucial to keep your plants prosper in your urban garden .

balcony with green potted plants and garden furniture.

tomato and basil companion plants

woman watering on balcony

A women harvests fresh worm castings (compost) from a vermicomposter on her balcony, into her raised planter garden on her patio. She is side dressing small plant starts for fall