Living in a small apartment does not mean you have to give up your dream of cultivating your own plants. A balcony garden is the best way for people who live in cities and want some green space to get some. You may turn your balcony into a beautiful and useful mini-garden where you can grow herbs, flowers, or tiny veggies.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to start a balcony garden, even if you’re a total beginner and don’t have a lot of space.
Step 1: Know what your balcony is like
You need to look at your balcony before you buy plants or pots:
Sunlight: How many hours of sunlight does it get every day?
6 to 8 hours of full sun
3–5 hours of partial sun
Less than three hours of shade
Wind and Rain: Is your balcony safe from severe winds and heavy rain?
Weight Capacity: Think about how much weight your balcony can hold, especially if you’re on a higher floor. This is vital for raised beds or big pots.
Knowing these things will help you pick the proper plants and pots.
Step 2: Pick the Right Containers
There isn’t much room, therefore it’s important to choose the right container. You don’t need to buy pricey pots to start.
Grow bags are a good choice because they are light, breathable, and cheap.
Hanging planters are great for plants and flowers that hang down.
Wall-mounted pots: Go up instead than out to save floor space.
Window boxes are great for little flowers or herbs.
To keep the soil from getting too wet, make sure all of your containers have holes for drainage.
Step 3: Choose Plants That Are Easy to Grow
Choose plants that don’t need a lot of care and that will do well in the weather and sunlight on your balcony.
Basil is the best herb for growing on a balcony.
Mint
Cilantro (Coriander)
Parsley
Thyme
The best flowers are marigolds.
Petunia
Zinnia
Portulaca
Periwinkle
Small Vegetables: Cherry tomatoes (require sun)
Spinach
Lettuce
Chilies that are green
Radishes
You can mix and match based on what you like and what you have room for!
Step 4: Use good soil and fertilizer
Plants on balconies grow in pots, thus the quality of the soil is very important.
Use a potting mix that is light and drains well but keeps moisture.
Don’t use garden soil; it’s too heavy and could have bugs in it.
Add cow manure or organic compost to give it nutrients.
During the growing season, use liquid fertilizer every 2 to 4 weeks.
Step 5: Watering the Right Way
A lot of newbies make mistakes when they water.
Don’t give too much water! Water just when the top inch of soil seems dry.
For accuracy, use a watering can with a small spout.
Watering in the early morning or late evening is preferable.
Self-watering pots can be useful if you don’t have time or forget.
Step 6: Keep it tidy and clean.
A small balcony may get messy very quickly. Read these tips:
Plant supports can help you keep several pots in order.
Put up shelves or racks that hang to save room.
Sweep up the leaves that have fallen to keep mosquitoes away.
Every so often, turn the pots so that they get the same amount of sun.
A garden that is clean is also healthful.
Extra Tips for Gardening on Your Balcony
Gardening up and down: For climbing plants like beans and cucumbers, use trellises or netting.
Use and recycle: You may turn old plastic bottles, buckets, and jars into imaginative planters.
Put labels on your plants: This is a lovely addition, especially for herbs!
Get the whole family involved: Gardening is a fun pastime that you can do with your kids or housemates.
Ideas for eco-friendly balcony gardening
Want to be green? Try these:
Use compost made from food scraps from your kitchen.
Put rainwater in a small barrel to water your plants.
Instead of chemical insecticides, use neem oil spray.
Small actions can have a great impact.
Looking for easy plants to grow? Check out our 10 Easy Flowering Plants for Beginners guide!
In conclusion
You can make a balcony garden in a small flat, and it’s really satisfying. You can turn your city space into a green paradise that provides joy, tranquility, and even fresh food right to your door with just a little preparation, some pots, and a few hardy plants.
So don’t put off getting a backyard. No matter how little your area is, you can bring nature home by starting a balcony garden now.