How To Make A Balcony Garden

Learn How to Make a Balcony Garden in this informative article, if you have a balcony and you’re planning to grow plants there.

A balcony garden can arouse admiration if you decorate it the right way. The possibilities are endless–From the cultivation of ornamental plants to growing edibles.

Also Read: Balcony Vegetable Garden

Planning and Setting up a Garden on the Balcony

If you want to make a well-planned and perfect balcony garden, then it is essential to first chalk out a plan on paper. Ask yourself what your requirements are and how you want to make it. What type of plants do you want to grow? Your balcony is either sunny or shady, and what is the size of it?

Measure your balcony’s length, width, and height and draw it on paper in scale. This will make it easier to arrange various items such as furniture, large and free-standing containers, and boxes if you have a plan.

Also Read: Balcony Railing Planter Ideas

East and West Facing Balcony

In east and west facing balconies, many plants grow well (ornamental species, some vegetables, fruits, and herbs). But during winter, you will need to protect perennial plants growing in large containers carefully. Strong easterly winds can cause a lot of damage.

North and South Facing Balcony

North facing balconies generally remain shady throughout the day, so sun-loving plants don’t thrive well there, on the other hand south facing balconies remain sunny all the time and you can’t grow shady plants there.

Shady balcony

If you have a shady balcony, choose plants carefully. Before buying anything research for what grows best in low sunlight or ask in a nursery for shade-loving plants. Check out these edible plants that grow in shade.

Sunny Balcony

On a sunny balcony, you can grow anything, sun lovers like geraniums, verbena, roses are easiest to grow. Here, on the contrary, shade loving plant will be difficult to grow. Check out these common balcony gardening problems and how to solve them.

Also Read: The Best Sun-Loving Plants for Containers

Helpful Tips

• Plants grown in containers require more care than those growing on the ground. You should fertilize and water them regularly.
• Watering should be done in the morning and according to the plants’ watering requirement.
• Grow sun-loving plants in the planters installed on the windows and railings.

Read more Balcony Garden Tips here.

Pots for Growing Plants on the Balcony

Containers used in balcony should not only be practical, but decorative too. A pot must have enough holes in the bottom to allow sufficient drainage of water.

Freestanding pots and planters (ceramics, clay) are stable and protect plants from falling over, but the containers mounted or fixed on the windows and railings should be of lightweight material like plastic.

Helpful Tips

• Always remember that the plants you’re growing are the main attraction of the balcony garden and pots should complement them.
• If you have a small balcony, use the high, narrow pots that acquire less space and don’t forget vertical gardening
• If you’re growing vegetables, especially the greens, use long and wide windowboxes like planters, you can also use crates.
• Metal pots are also an option to give your balcony a modern look.
• If you are a lazy or busy person or your balcony is sunny and windy, use self-watering planters.
  

  ---

Use Vertical space of Balcony

Unlock the vertical space of your balcony to double up your gardening area. You’ll be surprised how much potential vertical gardening has.
Buy a pot holder that will hold your pots vertically, or you can easily make one for yourself using pallets, read these DIY pallet ideas.
Use an old shelf or rack to keep the pots in and grow plants in hanging baskets.

Also Read: Vertical Balcony Garden Ideas

Helpful Tips:

• Grow more vines and climbers to cover your vertical space well.
• Flowers like jasmine, clematis, black-eyed Susan and bleeding heart, etc. are some. In vegetables, grow beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, and peas.
• Hanging baskets look beautiful on the balcony. Grow plants like petunia, verbena, moss rose, fuschia, lobelia in them. Growing tomatoes in a hanging basket is an option as well.

Furniture on the Balcony

Furniture, unfortunately, take a lot of space on the balcony. Therefore, it is necessary to choose the suitable furniture. Furniture for a balcony garden must be fold-able and lightweight so that you can move it quickly. Have a look at these inspiring Balcony furniture ideas.

If you own a sunny balcony, it is better to choose bright colored furniture, because they heat up slowly. Remember, the colors must match up your balcony garden’s theme and plants.

Other Helpful Tips

• If you want to maintain the privacy or have a bad view from your balcony, grow tall plants like bamboo and areca palm or grow any climbing plant in your balcony, it will protect you and your plants from sun and wind, and block the view for others.

Also Read: Amazing DIY Garden Furniture Ideas