If you’re limited on outdoor space but still want to enjoy the beauty and bounty of a garden, a balcony garden may be the perfect solution for you. However, gardening on a balcony can present some unique challenges, such as weight limitations, exposure to wind and sunlight, and limited space. With a little bit of planning and the right approach, you can create a beautiful and thriving balcony garden that will be the envy of your neighbors.
Before you start, it’s important to consider how much weight your balcony can bear. Wet compost and stone or terracotta pots can be surprisingly heavy, so you may want to opt for lightweight plastic or resin containers instead. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure that your pots are securely fastened in place, especially if your balcony is exposed to wind. To save on weight, you can also consider using lightweight composts specifically designed for container gardening.
By taking the time to plan and choose the right plants for your balcony, you can create a beautiful and thriving garden that will be the envy of your neighbors. With a little bit of care and attention, your balcony garden will provide you with years of enjoyment and a bountiful harvest.
Once you’ve established the weight limitations of your balcony, you can start thinking about which plants to grow. When choosing plants for your balcony garden, it’s important to consider the amount of sunlight and wind that your balcony receives. If your balcony faces east or west, it will likely only receive direct sun for part of the day, while a north-facing balcony may not receive any direct sunlight at all. In these cases, you’ll want to choose shade-loving plants such as lettuces, salad leaves, rocket, parsley, chervil, hostas, begonias, heucheras, geraniums and ferns.
If your balcony receives a lot of sunlight, you’ll want to choose drought-tolerant plants that can handle the heat. Mediterranean herbs such as lavender, rosemary and oregano will fill your balcony with flowers and scent, while pelargoniums, stachys and succulents will add color and interest.
If your balcony is exposed to wind, you’ll want to choose plants that can handle the wind. Ornamental grasses such as stipa tenuissima are great for windy balconies, as are other low-growing plants. Additionally, you can also consider creating a windbreak on your balcony by installing a screen or using tall plants to block the wind.
Another challenge that balcony gardeners often face is limited space. To maximize your space, consider creating a vertical garden using hanging planters, shelves or wall-mounted planters. This will allow you to grow more plants in a smaller area. Additionally, you can also use trellises or wire frames to support climbing plants, which will save on space while adding an interesting element to your garden.
By taking the time to plan and choose the right plants for your balcony, you can create a beautiful and thriving garden that will be the envy of your neighbors. With a little bit of care and attention, your balcony garden will provide you with years of enjoyment and a bountiful harvest.