Growing plants in a limited space like a balcony or terrace can be a challenge even for an experienced gardener, but it’s also a great opportunity to be creative and have fun.
From deciding what to grow (an urban vegetable garden? a tropical paradise?) to choosing imaginative containers (such as an old watering can or wood crate), the entire process can be an adventure. Yes, you still must adhere to the strict confines of your space, but there are many tricks for making every square inch count. Here are some tips to help you get started:
How much space do you need for a balcony garden? Surprisingly, not much at all if you take advantage of walls, railings, and overhead structures.
Turn your balcony into a vertical garden. Attach pots, shelves, or trellises to the walls; and if your balcony has a ceiling, add a few hooks for hanging plants. Cover the railings of your balcony with chicken wire to support climbing plants, or purchase plant hangers that can be attached to the top of a railing. (See more vertical gardening ideas.)
Think of your balcony garden as an extension of your indoor living space. If you choose plant colors and textures that echo the interior design, even the smallest balcony will look more expansive and welcoming.
In addition to the square footage of your balcony, there may be other restrictions that will limit what you can plant and where. If you live in an apartment building or condo, be sure to check what’s permissible by the building owner before you begin.
Weight. There may be weight restrictions and rules regarding what you can hang from balcony railings and walls. If the balcony is attached to your home, know how much weight it can safely support. The weight from large ceramic containers and wet soil can add up quickly.
Microclimate. The amount of sunlight the space receives is the most critical factor to consider, but wind exposure and temperature are important too.
Tip: If wind is a problem on your balcony, consider using balcony privacy screens as windbreaks to protect more fragile plants. You can also put plants that dont like the wind in low pots near a wall to give them more protection.
Growing fresh vegetables on your balcony can be an incredibly rewarding experience. With some planning and care, you can have a productive vegetable garden in a small space that provides you with delicious and nutritious food. In this article, I’ll provide tips on how to start and maintain a thriving balcony vegetable garden.
Choosing the Right Location
When growing vegetables on a balcony, sunlight exposure is crucial. Most vegetable plants need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Take note of how much sunlight your balcony gets throughout the day. South or west facing balconies tend to get the most sun. If your balcony doesn’t get much sun, focus on shade tolerant leafy greens like lettuce spinach and kale.
You’ll also want to position planters and pots strategically to maximize sunlight Use online sun calculation tools like SunCalc to understand the sun’s trajectory near your balcony Place sun-loving plants like tomatoes and peppers in the sunniest spots,
Selecting the Best Vegetables for Containers
Certain vegetables are better suited for balcony container growing. Prioritize more compact, bushy varieties over vining types that require much more space. Some of the easiest vegetables to grow in pots on a balcony include:
- Leafy Greens: Lettuce, spinach, kale, chard, mustard greens, arugula
- Herbs: Basil, parsley, mint, rosemary, thyme, cilantro
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Bush Beans
- Radishes
- Green Onions
- Peas
- Cucumbers (with trellis support)
- Strawberries
- Eggplant (smaller varieties)
Focus on vegetables you love to eat and those that can be harvested frequently like lettuce and herbs. Crops with a longer growth time like tomatoes and eggplant are rewarding but require more patience
Choosing the Right Planters and Pots
For a productive vegetable balcony garden, use large containers whenever possible. Bigger pots allow for more soil and root development. Self-watering containers are ideal as they help maintain consistent moisture.
Some good container options include:
- Self-watering planters like Lechuza or self-watering raised beds
- 5+ gallon buckets or bins
- Raised garden beds designed for patios and decks
- Hanging baskets for strawberries and trailing vegetables
Make sure your containers have drainage holes to prevent waterlogged soil. Place containers on plant saucers to catch excess water and elevate pots above hard surfaces when possible.
Prepare or Purchase High-Quality Soil
Your plants need nutrient-rich soil to thrive. You can buy pre-made organic potting mix or prepare your own using compost, coconut coir, perlite and vermiculite. Whichever route you take, make sure your soil is loose and fluffy with good drainage. Refresh and replace soil each season as nutrients deplete over time.
Test your soil pH and amend it to fall between 6.0-7.0. Most edible plants thrive in the slightly acidic range. Add lime if your soil is too acidic or sulfur if it’s too alkaline. Thoroughly mix amendments into the soil.
Start Seeds or Use Transplants
You can start vegetable seeds directly in containers or use transplants purchased from a nursery. Starting seeds indoors allows you to get a head start on the growing season. Use seed starting mix and grow seedlings until they have their first true leaves before hardening off and transplanting them outside. Take care not to disturb roots when transplanting.
For crops like tomatoes, eggplant and peppers, transplants are widely available and let you skip the seed starting process. Just make sure they are hardened off and acclimated to the outdoor environment before planting.
Follow Recommended Planting Times
Pay attention to recommended planting dates for your region. Use planting calendars or schedules tailored to your specific zone. Timing is especially important for seed starting. Count backwards from your average last frost date so transplants are ready to go outside at the right time.
Some crops like peas, kale and carrots can be planted early in cooler weather. Warm season crops like tomatoes, peppers and eggplant need warm soil and air to thrive. Make successional plantings every 1-3 weeks for continual harvests.
Water and Fertilize Consistently
Inconsistent watering leads to issues like blossom end rot on tomatoes. Check soil moisture daily and water when the top few inches start to dry out. Adding a drip irrigation system can simplify watering. Use a moisture meter to check soil and avoid overwatering.
Fertilize with organic all-purpose fertilizer when first planting and follow up monthly with fish emulsion or compost tea. Watch plants for signs of nutrient deficiencies and address them promptly.
Provide Adequate Support and Care
Many vining crops will need trellises, stakes or cages for support. Add these structures as soon as you plant seeds or transplants. Monitor plants for pest and disease issues. Remove spent plants promptly and clear away debris to prevent issues. Enjoy harvesting vegetables like tomatoes, peppers and beans all season long with proper care.
Choosing Flowers and Herbs as Companion Plants
Consider adding flowering herbs, vegetables and edible flowers as companion plants. Marigolds, nasturtiums, calendula, borage and basil help repel pests. Plan rotations for the next growing season. For example, follow heavy feeding tomatoes with root crops or legumes that add nitrogen to the soil.
Key Tips for Success
Here are some key tips to help ensure a successful, productive vegetable container garden on your balcony:
- Maximize sunlight exposure and ventilation
- Use large, self-watering containers whenever possible
- Prepare nutrient-rich soil with good drainage
- Use transplants for easier crops like tomatoes and peppers
- Time plantings based on your planting zone/last frost date
- Water and fertilize consistently using organic methods
- Provide stakes, trellises and cages for support when needed
- Monitor for pests and diseases and address issues promptly
- Harvest frequently for continual production
With proper planning and care, you can enjoy growing a diverse range of fresh vegetables on your balcony! Start with a few planters of easy crops like greens and herbs and expand from there. Pay close attention and make adjustments as needed. Your balcony veggie garden will keep getting better each season.
Leafy Greens for Salads:
- Swiss Chard. It has a better texture than kale in salads and just as nutritious. Plus, it’s super colorful AND it grows all season long. I now prefer it to kale
- Kale. It is hardy (survives droughts or over-watering). It grows fast. It is nutritious. It grows to relatively large plants. For salads, go for Red Russian Kale and Dinosaur varieties.
- Arugula. It grows fast. It tastes great. It’s nutritious.
- Lettuce. It grows fast. It produces a lot of volume.
- Mustard Greens. It is similar to kale but better tasting. Big plants, fast growing.
- Spinach. Nutritious, grows fast, medium volume though.
Small Garden IdeasRaised beds, food growing tips, recipes and more
Photo by: Proven Winners
Growing plants in a limited space like a balcony or terrace can be a challenge even for an experienced gardener, but it’s also a great opportunity to be creative and have fun.
From deciding what to grow (an urban vegetable garden? a tropical paradise?) to choosing imaginative containers (such as an old watering can or wood crate), the entire process can be an adventure. Yes, you still must adhere to the strict confines of your space, but there are many tricks for making every square inch count. Here are some tips to help you get started:
On this page:
How much space do you need for a balcony garden? Surprisingly, not much at all if you take advantage of walls, railings, and overhead structures.
Turn your balcony into a vertical garden. Attach pots, shelves, or trellises to the walls; and if your balcony has a ceiling, add a few hooks for hanging plants. Cover the railings of your balcony with chicken wire to support climbing plants, or purchase plant hangers that can be attached to the top of a railing. (See more vertical gardening ideas.)
Think of your balcony garden as an extension of your indoor living space. If you choose plant colors and textures that echo the interior design, even the smallest balcony will look more expansive and welcoming.
Learn more about balcony gardening, from Bethany of @ChicagoGardener.
In addition to the square footage of your balcony, there may be other restrictions that will limit what you can plant and where. If you live in an apartment building or condo, be sure to check what’s permissible by the building owner before you begin.
Weight. There may be weight restrictions and rules regarding what you can hang from balcony railings and walls. If the balcony is attached to your home, know how much weight it can safely support. The weight from large ceramic containers and wet soil can add up quickly.
Microclimate. The amount of sunlight the space receives is the most critical factor to consider, but wind exposure and temperature are important too.
- Wind: Strong winds, which are common on balcony and rooftop gardens high above the ground, can quickly dry out the soil, rip the petals off flowers, and knock over tall potted plants.
- Heat: Sun reflecting from windows can intensify the heat of a balcony garden and burn delicate foliage. Even the basic construction of your balcony (such as concrete vs. wood) will affect how much heat it retains.
- Shade: Many urban balconies receive quite a bit of shade if surrounded by tall buildings or covered by an overhang. Often you can work around this problem by putting sun-loving plants near the perimeter of the balcony, where the sun is more prevalent.
Tip: If wind is a problem on your balcony, consider using balcony privacy screens as windbreaks to protect more fragile plants. You can also put plants that dont like the wind in low pots near a wall to give them more protection.
Best Vegetables to Grow in Containers / on the Balcony | What to Grow on the Balcony
FAQ
Can I grow vegetables on a balcony?
Yes! You can grow vegetables on a balcony. It may be very productive if the plants are given enough water and sunlight. If you want the best-tasting vegetables, choose them when they are at their optimal freshness. This is how to get the most flav…
What is the easiest vegetable to grow on a balcony?
Lettuce, Asian greens (Pak choy and Bok choy), dwarf varieties of cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, broccolini are all good choices. You can also try dwarf tomatoes and beans.
Can you turn a balcony into a garden?
Make use of vertical space. Install hooks or screws from which to hang baskets, grow climbers up a trellis or grow tall, thin plants against a wall. If you’re short of space make more by going up instead of out. Dividing space with lattice or a row of plants can make a balcony seem bigger.
What plants are good for balcony gardens?
Tomatoes, Herbs, Bulbs, Strawberries, Japanese maple, Verbena, Lavender: These are listed among the 7 best plants to grow on a balcony by Tom’s Guide. Sage, Thyme, Mint, Parsley, Dill: For sunnier balconies, sage and thyme may be good choices. For shady spots, mint, parsley, or dill may be good choices, as per Norhart.
What is balcony vegetable gardening?
Balcony vegetable gardening is a creative way to grow fresh veggies and herbs in a limited space. It involves using containers, hanging pots, and vertical gardens to cultivate plants on a balcony. This method is ideal for urban dwellers seeking to enjoy homegrown produce, requiring minimal space and simple gardening tools.
Can you grow vegetables on a balcony or patio?
Starting your own vegetable garden on your balcony or patio space is fun and easy. Growing vegetables in containers can be nearly as prolific as growing them directly in the ground, and container gardening can drastically reduce issues with pests and soil-borne diseases.
What are the benefits of balcony vegetable gardening?
One of the primary benefits of balcony vegetable gardening is the ability to have direct control over the growing conditions, ensuring that the plants receive adequate sunlight, water, and nutrients. Popular plant varieties for balcony gardening include tomatoes, peppers, herbs, lettuce, and even compact fruit trees.
What vegetables can you plant in a balcony container?
The best carrots to plant in your balcony container include Little Finger and Romeo. These easy-to-grow vegetables require large containers and enough soil to accommodate long taproots. You may choose short-root varieties with limited balcony space and small containers.
What plants can grow in a balcony garden?
These plants are bred specifically to grow in smaller spaces and are perfect for pots or hanging baskets. Root vegetables, such as carrots, radishes, and beets, can also thrive in balcony gardens, but it’s important to ensure the containers are deep enough to accommodate their root systems.
Can you grow root vegetables on a balcony?
When cultivating root vegetables in a balcony setting, it’s essential to consider the growth requirements of each plant. Radishes, for instance, thrive in well-draining pots with at least 6 inches of depth, while celery requires a deeper container to accommodate its extensive root system.