How to successfully plant vegetables on a balcony in the city
What kinds of vegetables to use for the vegetable garden on the balcony? When choosing vegetables to plant on a balcony in the city, it is important to consider the local climate, available space and sunlight. Below we have compiled the main vegetables, horticultural and aromatic plants that grow successfully in pots and can thrive in the city climate.
Cherry trees: Cherry trees are easy to grow and produce abundant fruit if they find good balcony space. They definitely need rooting canes and as large a pot as possible. Do not forget to add calcium-magnesium fertilizer for the cap, every 20 days as well as adding compost during planting.
Peppers: The peppers found in nurseries come in a wide variety of colors and shapes and can be grown in small pots or larger plant containers. They need plenty of sunlight and heat to thrive. With proper pruning it can be harvested for a longer period of time and produce larger fruits. Take care of the watering so that it is repeated and with a sufficient amount. Usually the horn-type pepper varieties do best on the balcony.
Lettuce and other salad greens: Lettuce and other salad greens (chard, arugula, kale) can also be grown in shallow containers (basins) and can be harvested naturally even when they are small resulting in a constant supply of fresh. vegetables for your salad. After all, the cultivation of microgreens as well as baby plants is gaining more and more interest in the amateur cultivation of vegetables.
Spinach: Although spinach is a vegetable, we put it in a separate category because of its frequent use in salads and pies, as well as the fact that by planting spinach in one or two pots on the balcony you always have fresh spinach for your salad. Spinach is grown all year round on the balcony. It needs partial shade and regular watering, while the fertilization requirements are small. Grow it also as a micro vegetable and you won’t miss out!
Herbs and aromatics (kitchen herbs): Herbs and aromatics such as basil, parsley, thyme and mint are easy to grow in pots and add flavor and aroma to many foods. They can be grown in small pots or even combined with other vegetables in larger planters. When choosing vegetables to plant on a balcony in the city, consider the amount of sunlight your balcony receives, the size of your pots and the local climate of your balcony. eastern or with southern exposure). By choosing the right vegetables, you can get a bountiful harvest of fresh produce all season long!
What fertilizer to use in the vegetable garden on the balcony? When growing vegetables on a balcony, it is important to provide them with the essential nutrients they need to grow and thrive. Here are some types of fertilizers that can be used:
Organic Fertilizers (Soil Improvers): Organic fertilizers such as compost, compost tea (liquid compost) and manure are an excellent choice for growing vegetables in pots and beyond. They are slow release fertilizers and provide a range of nutrients that plants need. They should usually be combined with other fertilizers. Liquid organic fertilizers: Liquid fertilizers such as seaweed extract and compost tea can be applied directly to her soil. fast acting and provides a quick push of nutrients from the soil to the plant.
Slow Release Fertilizers (Organic Inorganic Granular Fertilizers): Slow release fertilizers such as granular fertilizers can be mixed into the potting soil before planting but also during the growing of vegetables. They release nutrients slowly over time. , providing a constant supply of nutrients to plants. When using fertilizers in your balcony vegetable garden, it is important to follow the instructions on the package and not to over-fertilize, as this can damage the plants. It’s also a good idea to check the soil pH periodically to make sure the plants are getting the right balance of nutrients. Fertilizers of all three categories can be effectively combined with each other.
Combine ornamental plants (annual or perennial) with vegetables on the balcony. What are the most popular types of plants? You can plant ornamental plants along with your vegetables on your balcony. In fact, the combination of ornamental plants with vegetables can create a beautiful and functional space. Some popular ornamentals that can be planted alongside vegetables are:
Marigolds: Marigolds are a popular annual plant with lovely flowers. In fact, its combination with vegetables helps repel harmful insects from the vegetables and at the same time attracts beneficial insects such as bees that help pollinate the vegetables and increase production.
Petunias: Petunias are another popular plant that are easy to grow and can be found in a variety of colors. You can also plant it in hanging baskets. The only advice for the petunia: Give it plenty of water and it will reward you with its many and large flowers.
Capuchin: Capuchin is a plant with beautiful flowers that can be planted around the edges of pots or planters along with your vegetables. They also help repel aphids and other pests.
Pansies: Pansies are a popular annual that can add color and interest to your balcony garden.
Succulents: Succulents are low-maintenance plants that can be planted in small containers alongside your vegetables. You will find various shapes and sizes that you can add beautiful visual enhancements to your garden. They do not contribute to attracting insects to your vegetables and the reason they are planted together is usually aesthetic. When choosing ornamentals to plant alongside your vegetables, it’s important to consider sunlight and water, as well as growth habits. By choosing which complement your vegetables and a rich plant space, you can have a beautiful and productive balcony.
Automatic watering system in the vegetable garden on the balcony. Creating an irrigation system for the balcony vegetable garden ensures that the plants receive the water they need without the need for daily hand watering. Drip irrigation is now a popular choice for watering plants on the balcony, with easy installation.
Steps to build an irrigation system for your balcony yourself. Select and draw the line that the central pipe will follow: The central watering pipe is Φ16 or Φ20 in diameter. It is connected to the water supply and the watering scheduler. It may have branching to give depending on the installation of the pots on the balcony and of course the size of the balcony. But in most cases it follows a line.
Install the pipes that end up in the pots: In the central irrigation pipe, the small pipes (also called spaghetti) with a diameter of Φ6 that end up with the nozzles in the pots are inserted. The ones with the center tube with small plastic plugs and the holes in the center tube are drilled with a drill bit.
Install a reliable watering scheduler: Choose a reliable watering scheduler that covers the watering needs of your balcony vegetable gardens. Good watering scheduler research is essential to find one that suits your needs.
Check the irrigation system often: Once the irrigation system is installed, test it to make sure it is working properly. Make sure that all plants receive adequate water and that the water does not pool or leave the pot unnecessarily. However, you often do not monitor the watering of the plant pots on the balcony to ensure that everything is working properly.
8 tips with vegetables on the balcony.
- Protect your plants on days with high temperatures and heat, as well as strong wind and drought.
- Provide shade to your vegetables during lunch hours.
- Water regularly, at specific time intervals (eg once or twice a day at specific times). Water in the morning or late afternoon.
- Do not neglect the fertilization of plants. Combine liquid and granular fertilizers as you add organic compost.
- Remove weeds from pots. Weeds compete with plants for nutrients and water.
- Check the automatic watering frequently. Adjust the time and amount of watering in each pot according to the number of plants in it but also based on the needs of each vegetable.
Monitor your plants frequently for insect infestations or other diseases. Try to deal early with any infestation that may appear on vegetables exclusively naturally!Enjoy the vegetable garden on your balcony and good luck!!