The Balcony Garden: Tips for Planting and Maintenance

Many balconies are exposed to the sun enough to allow the development of certain horticultural species. Space is not a limitation, since many plants can grow well in pots, hanging baskets or trays. Moreover, it will be easier to fight weeds or pests in reduced planting space. Here are some tips and tricks to enjoy all year round fresh vegetables.

The choice of container will be made taking into account the adult size of the plant to grow. For fast-growing vegetables or small radishes, lettuce and herbs, a bowl of between 15 and 20 centimeters deep will suffice. Fruiting vegetables such as cucumbers, zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes and peppers, instead, require a container 45 cm deep. As for the choice of material of the containers, nothing equals the terracotta pots. Plastic pots, meanwhile, have the advantage of being lighter, less expensive and easier to maintain.

Species that require more sun are tomatoes: whether ordinary tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, they will need up to 8 hours of sunlight. The sun less dependent species are spinach and lettuce, which only need 4 hours of sunlight per day. Irrigation is a key issue for growing vegetables. In general, water early in the morning or afternoon, but never when the sun is at its zenith. Irrigation with plant spray bottle instead of micro sprinkler irrigation kit could be saved in the middle of the day for fall and spring.

Note also that it will be possible to modify the schedule of crops. So, to pick up fresh vegetables before spring and after the fall, remove the pots and pans outside when the weather is sunny and warm and bring them back inside before sunset, and before installing the night that coolness or freezing. This technique allows winning two weeks in relation to the crop calendar. Finally, always follow the calendar culture not to force nature and get a fairly regular crop. Sometimes, you might need the solar animal repeller for keeping the harmful creatures away. So when winter comes prefer winter planting lettuce, cabbage and spinach.