Before setting up a balcony garden, read through our tips for creating a beautiful one. Here are some tips for balcony gardeners who want their outdoor living spaces to be both functional and attractive.
Before setting up a balcony garden, follow these tips to ensure success.
1. Set Your Budget
Before you start gardening, set a budget for yourself. Figure out what kind of plant, fertilizer, and soil you need to buy.
If you want to save some money, you could collect cuttings, propagate vegetables from leftover ingredients, or repurpose old pots and pans into a beautiful garden.
2. Plan in Advance
Planting the balcony garden according to the available space and sunlight will help you save time and effort. Make a list of suitable crops to grow, space availability, etc., before setting up a balcony garden.
3. Start with low-maintenance plants.
If you are busy or new to gardening, start with low-maintenance plants.
4. Plan according to the rules
Rented houses and apartments are governed by their own rules and restrictions, so be sure of what can be done in your garden.
You might be restricted from using a trellis, raised beds, or hanging pots. So make sure you plan accordingly.
5. Recycle and Reuse
Keep an eye out for things that could be used to grow plants. You might even want to salvage some old containers, jute sacks, plastic milk containers, glass jars, and coconut shells from the trash and use them to plant vegetables and flowers.
It won't just help you save money but also give them depth and an attractive look.
6. Check the sunlight availability.
Make sure your balcony gets plenty of sunshine. Plant your plants, so they get enough sunlight.
7. Fertilize well.
Make sure to check the nutritional requirements of the plants regularly. Look out for any signs of stress and give them the necessary nutrients. Use well-balanced liquid fertilizers to fertilize the plants.
8. Use every inch of space available.
Pay particular care to the available spaces and choose plant species accordingly. You can use vertical space by using vines, climbers, hanging plants, or ladder planters.
9. Grow Some Flowers
If you want to add some fun and color to your balcony, grow some beautiful flowers. Choose the plants depending on the light, space, and time available.
10. Strike a Balance
Grow various plants ranging from succulents, vines, shrubs, etc. Grow annual plants as well as perennial plants. Also, add varied colors and textures in the garden.
11. Seasons are important
Always plan according to the season. The planting and sowing time depend on the season. For flowers, choose the ones with long blooming seasons, and for vegetables, choose those with a short harvesting period.
12. Containers
Depending on the space available, choose the containers. For example, choose narrow tall pots for the corners, Lovely hanging baskets for the ceiling, and rectangular pots for herbs.
13. Try different colors.
Be creative and try shades of colors. Flowers commonly come in several colors. You can grow different colored flowers to get an eye-catching look. Don't forget foliage plants.
14. Grow edibles
Along with beautiful house plants and flowering plants, grow edible fruits and vegetables to make your balcony garden productive. You can fruits like lemons and guava and vegetables like tomato and brinjal indoor balcony garden.
15. Choose portable containers
Use contents that can be moved easily. For big pots, you can use garden carts to move them.
16. Do not compromise on potting mix
It is necessary to have a good quality potting mix. This ensures successful plant growth in a limited space. Also, know about the specific requirements of the plants you are going to plant.
17. Plan the watering schedule
Depending on the plants you are going to plant and the weather conditions, plan a watering schedule. Watering is a very common activity, but we often mess it up. Overwatering and underwatering are both problematic.
18. Follow companion planting
Companion planting is great for balcony gardens. Companion plants help combat pest issues, boost pollination, and compensate for humidity needs.
19. Plan Before Going on a Vacation
Before going on a vacation, prepare your garden. Create a self-watering system to satiate the moisture needs. If it is too sunny, you may want to hang curtains to provide some shade. Finally, move any sensitive plants indoors.
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Happy Gardening!
Dr. Vandana K.