Key to creating an ideal balcony garden is selecting suitable plants. Most flowering and fruiting varieties need plenty of sun; unfortunately this can be hard to come by in an apartment setting.
Planting seeds is fun, but buying seedlings from a nursery will help your garden to flourish more quickly. Consider employing the “Thriller, Spiller, Filler” planting formula.
Sunlight
Plants require direct sunlight in order to flourish, which varies depending on where you live and when. Therefore, when selecting your plants it’s essential that you consider this when making your selection in order to avoid failures in growth and save yourself from disappointments later.
Vegetable and flowering plants require six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily in order to thrive, but if your balcony doesn’t receive this much light you could try using grow lights or opting for more resilient leafy greens and herbs that require less.
An attractive way to display an array of plants is by crafting a succulent bowl. Use potting soil specially tailored for succulents to design a stylish display full of vibrant hues; select one focal succulent as the center point before filling out your bowl with complementary species for an eye-catching display.
Temperature
A balcony garden is a fantastic way to grow vegetables and flowers while living in an urban environment, providing many health benefits while saving money by cutting back on grocery store trips.
Growing plants yourself is an excellent way to improve air quality by eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides. When planning your balcony gardening adventure, think carefully about which varieties would thrive there as well as any special conditions they require.
Choose lightweight plant containers that are easy to lift. If you live on a high-rise building, be sure to choose pots that can withstand water and drip-drip leakage as an alternative option or look into drip irrigation systems. When selecting soil for planting your garden beds, light, loose, well-draining soil should be chosen for maximum plant health and wellness.
Water
Apartment and condominium gardeners live close to one another, so it’s crucial that any excess water doesn’t run off into someone’s balcony below. Lightweight plastic pots or resin containers with self-watering capabilities will help prevent this issue.
Lighter potting mixes like those specifically tailored for succulent or cacti plants will reduce how much water your plants require, since soil tends to dry out faster in pots than on its own. Make sure saucers or trays are placed underneath your plants to catch any extra liquid; consider also adding water-retaining crystals into the mix for even greater savings!
If your balcony offers ample wall or rail space, use climbing plants such as ivy, honeysuckle and jasmine as well as exotic vines to provide privacy from nearby buildings. Even edible vegetables like beans and gourds could work!
Containers
Though 10m-tall magnolias might have to wait a little while longer, a balcony garden still can contain plenty of flowering plants, vegetables, herbs and other greenery that thrives beautifully. Containers should be lightweight in weight while soil mixes should have light textures for successful balcony gardening.
Planters that feature hook designs to attach them to railings are an increasingly popular option, and come in various sizes – be sure to measure your railing before selecting one that will fit!
Even if your balcony receives minimal sunlight, you can still create a kitchen garden using shade-tolerant vegetables and herbs like lettuce, mint and cilantro. Also consider tropical blooms such as alocasia or banana to give it an exotic vibe.
Privacy
Establishing plants on your balcony is both aesthetically pleasing and ecologically beneficial, helping capture carbon dioxide emissions while simultaneously supporting biodiversity. When gardening on your balcony it’s important to remember your privacy; otherwise neighbors might see what you are doing and join in!
Below are a variety of plant varieties with thick foliage or rapid growth potential that can provide you with ample privacy on your balcony. Each species is listed by hardiness zone, watering requirements and light intensity as well as general care tips. Hedera helix (English Ivy) is an evergreen climber with glossy and dense leaves that when trained up a trellis can shield against prying eyes on the balcony; bamboo also grows rapidly with minimal upkeep once established.
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