Don’t you just love a balcony that’s decorated with plants and flowers? It’s a great project to embark on and witness the transformation. No matter its size, you can always create a stunning little haven
This guide will help you start the journey on the right track with the right planting ideas for your balcony. Let’s get started.
4 Reasons You Should Go for Balcony Gardening
Balconies are often a place to unwind and enjoy a relaxing view. Instead of leaving it plain, it can be a way to enjoy nature and greenery
Here are the main reasons you should definitely have your very own cosy balcony garden.
Maximum Use of Available Space
People often assume that gardening is only for houses with a backyard. However, you can have a lot of plants on a balcony, too.
This type of garden makes perfect use of every little space you have. Whether you’re going for a living wall or a hanging garden, there’s a plant for every area
Moreover, you should make sure to assess your available space properly. An overcrowded garden will just hinder your plants’ growth and won’t look so good.
Improved Air Quality
Planting on a balcony has many benefits if you have health issues or live in an especially polluted region. With balcony gardening, you are adding a new source of fresh air.
Ferns, peace lilies, and spider plants are known to remove toxins. So, growing these types will greatly contribute to your overall health.
Aesthetic View
We’ve all at least once scrolled through Pinterest and fell in love with a balcony’s splendid beauty.
The idea of having a living wall on your balcony above your bean bag or a soothing mix of window boxes is enchanting indeed
With balcony gardening, you can make that your reality. With a few tools and minimum spacing, you can create a green haven in your home.
Fresh Produce
Growing your own herbs, vegetables, and fruits in your balcony garden is always a good idea. This will come in handy if you’re a fan of cooking
There are a lot of varieties to plant, regardless of the size of your garden. You can add cherry tomatoes, raspberries, basil, or mint to your collection, for example.
Additionally, this guarantees organic products, contributing to a much healthier lifestyle. In addition, it saves you time and money in the long run.
Your Guide to Balcony Gardening Plants
If you’ve decided to create a home garden on your terrace, choosing the right plants is critical.
Picking out plants doesn’t solely depend on personal preference. Environmental aspects such as exposure to sunlight and wind are a huge deciding factor.
When going for flowers to create that iconic view, the right sun intake is important, as some of them are more fragile than others.
Petunias and geraniums are great choices if your balcony gets a lot of sunlight. They both flourish in sunny homes because of their drought-resistant nature.
However, if you have a particularly shady area, other alternatives, such as begonias, are the right call.
On the other hand, if you want to plant a green wall, you have many options. Ferns grow better away from the sun, creating a heavenly forest-like atmosphere.
Similarly, spider plants thrive easily in partial shade. They are also known for purifying the air, providing you with the refreshment you’ve been craving.
In contrast, succulents, like jade plants, are the better choice in sunny conditions.
Finally, planting fresh produce will be extremely rewarding for passionate cooks. Growing some herbs, such as basil and parsley, or cherry tomatoes provides both edible plants and a green space.
You should take into consideration that they need plenty of sunlight though, while lettuce and other leafy vegetables easily grow with limited sun exposure.
Selecting the Right Containers
There are many designs and ideas when it comes to balcony gardening. The type of containers you use impacts the entire look, so here is a breakdown of the most common ones.
- Plastic pots. They are generally lightweight, affordable, and vary in size and colour.
- Terracotta pots. Their sponge-like nature allows good air circulation, preventing roots from rotting. They dry out quickly in hot weather, though.
- Ceramic pots. Due to their decorative nature, they come in various designs and colours. Unfortunately, they are extremely heavy and require careful handling.
- Metal containers. They are extremely durable and provide a modern touch. However, they heat up easily and need insulation to protect roots.
- Wooden planters. They offer a natural rustic look and good insulation for the plant’s roots, although they need regular cleaning.
- Fabric grow bags. This container is lightweight and breathable, but it needs more frequent watering.
- Hanging baskets. Known for vertical gardens, they are ideal for trailing plants, but can dry out quickly.
- Window boxes. Known for their visual appeal, they are perfect for herbs and flowers.
Balcony Gardening Tips for Beginners
New gardeners often assume that this is a challenging job, but that’s not true. If this is your first planting experience, there’s no need to worry.
We’ve compiled some tips to help you start your journey safely and effectively.
Check the Balcony’s Weight Capacity
This first step is often overlooked. People don’t take into consideration the extent to which containers can impact the balcony. Ceramic pots, for instance, can sometimes cause structural damage if the building isn’t strong enough.
To avoid these issues, you need to assess the weight capacity of your railing. Moreover, check the regulations when it comes to heavy loads to avoid any legal issues.
If you don’t know how to work out this step, a professional gardener can help.
Assess Environmental Conditions
Before deciding on the plants or containers, ensure their suitability. Consider factors such as sunlight, wind, temperature, and humidity. Observe sun exposure on your balcony and choose your plants accordingly.
Moreover, protect delicate plants with windbreaks. You also need to adjust to the local humidity by misting plants in dry conditions or ensuring good air circulation in humid environments.
Remember, while it’s tempting to just choose the plants you love, they’ll die in the wrong habitat. Always choose plants that can survive in your local area’s climate.
Align Plants with Containers
This tip makes sure the place you choose for your plants is the best one for their type and requirements. You should pick containers that your plants can properly grow in.
- Plastic pots are well-suited for herbs and small vegetables. Being waterproof and lightweight, they allow for flexible placement and make watering easy. They also retain moisture well.
- Terracotta pots are a good choice for succulents and cacti due to their porous, unglazed surface. This allows excess water to evaporate quickly.
- Ceramic pots are a beautiful decorative option for ornamental plants and flowers. They come in various shapes, styles, and sizes.
- More durable containers, like metal pots, are well-suited for hardy plants that can withstand both sun and rain exposure.
- Wooden planters are breathable and contain nutrients beneficial to root vegetables or leafy greens.
- Fabric grow bags are flexible options that can be placed anywhere and are collapsible for storage. These features make them convenient for vegetables and herbs.
- Hanging baskets are perfect for trailing plants that can cascade over the edges.
- Window boxes provide decorative spaces for herbs and small flowers near indoor living areas.
Install an Irrigation System
While this step isn’t a must, it’ll make your gardening life way easier. You don’t need to create a watering routine. You can simply install an irrigation system instead.
Drip systems usually do the trick. Since they slowly release water to the plant’s base, they are pretty effective and minimise water waste.
However, for window boxes, you should seek a different option. As this container requires a larger quantity of water, soaker hoses are the right call.
Moreover, adding an automatic timer can take your watering system to the next level. With scheduled irrigation, your garden doesn’t have to be a burden.
Instead of asking a neighbour to water your plants when travelling or out of the apartment all day, you just set up a timer.
Conclusion
Creating a balcony garden is indeed rewarding. You don’t have to worry about how big of a space you have, as long as you plan carefully and consider the type of plants and containers to go for
With this guide, you now have the knowledge to start gardening successfully. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different arrangements. So, tend to your garden, relax, and unwind. This is where all the fun lies.
