Just because you don’t have a garden doesn’t mean you won’t get the urge to do some gardening. You might not have the space to grow your own orchid but a sunny balcony can give you the option to create your very own mini garden in pots and containers.
What to Plant on Your Balcony
There are obviously some plants that are better suited to certain climates and better suited to living in pots and containers. For those living in a temperate zone, this is a list of some of the best plants for growing on a balcony:
Herbs
- Parsley: This is a biennial herb that can be planted in spring, summer or early autumn. Parsley will prefer the sun or partial shade.
- Chives: These are perennial and should be planted in spring, summer or early autumn. Chives enjoy both the sun and the shade.
- Rosemary: This fragrant herb is also a perennial and can be planted in spring, summer or early autumn. Rosemary can handle both full sun and partial shade. Be careful not to over water this herb.
- Thyme: Thyme is a woody perennial that should be planted in spring, summer or early autumn. This herb prefers full sunlight.
- Dill: Dill is an annual herb that should be planted in spring or summer. This herb also prefers full sunlight.
- Mint: Mint is a perennial that can be planted pretty much any time of the year. It generally prefers the shade as it likes cooler and moist conditions. Keep an eye on your mint as it has a tendency to grow out of control.
- Marjoram: This herb is another perennial and should be planted in the spring or autumn. Marjoram needs full sunlight.
- Oregano: Oregano is closely related to Marjoram and is again a perennial that requires planting in the spring or autumn. Oregano needs full sunlight.
- Sage: Sage is a perennial herb and requires planting in the spring, summer or late autumn. Sage prefers to be in the full sunlight.
- Basil: This is an annual herb that should be planted in the spring. Basil enjoys full sunlight.
Vegetables
- Chillies and Capsicum (aka Peppers): Both of these vegetables are perennials, which benefit from being planted in the spring or summer. They generally require full sunlight.
- Tomatoes: Tomatoes are an annual vegetable that should be planted in autumn if possible. They like either full sunlight or partial shade. For a balcony it’s recommended to buy baby tomatoes as these will do well in pots or containers.
- Eggplant (aka Aubergine): Eggplants are generally seen as perennials and should be planted in the spring or summer. They enjoy full sunlight.
- Radishes: The radish is an annual vegetable that can be planted in spring or summer.
- Baby Carrots: Baby carrots are a good choice for pots and containers because, as the name suggests, they’re small. These should be planted in middle of spring or towards summer.
- Spring Onions: These are perennial and should be planted in mid to late summer. Spring onions appreciate full sunlight.
Fruit
- Apple Trees: A perennial tree, you should be looking at planting these in the winter.
- Pear Trees: Pear trees are perennial and should also be planted during the winter.
- Lemon Trees: Also perennial, lemon trees can be planted in the winter and enjoy sunshine.
- Blueberries: A perennial bush that is best planted in the spring. Blueberries like the sunshine.
- Strawberries: Strawberries are perennial and can be planted in spring, summer or autumn. They like full sunshine and regular watering.
Enjoying Home Grown Ingredients
Growing your own plants can be very relaxing and watching them flourish under your care is a rewarding experience. Being able to harvest your own fruit, herbs and vegetables, knowing that you’ve nurtured them, feels like a wonderful achievement. Not only that, you’re serving up produce that’s fresh and right at your fingertips. Forgotten to grab some mint for the potatoes? It doesn’t matter because you can just go out onto your balcony and snip off what you need.
Creating an Inviting Outdoors Environment
Apart from the benefits of growing your own ingredients, a garden on your balcony can really improve the space. Whilst you don’t want your plants to leave you no room to move, a careful selection can turn an otherwise plain terrace into a welcoming haven. Imagine a mixture of colour and smell; the vibrant red of a ripe chilli, the rich scent from a rosemary bush. Your outdoor experience will be enhanced by the beauty of your garden.
Small Garden, Big Rewards
If you pick the right plants then growing your own garden can be easy and rewarding. Once established your plants will need minimal care and will provide you with fresh ingredients for the kitchen. Growing plants in pots and containers means that you can still experience the fun of gardening without actually having a garden.
Sources
- Garden Guides. www.gardenguides.com. Accessed 31/03/11
- Murdoch Books. "Herb and Vegetable Gardening." 2008
- Pollock, Michael. "The Royal Horticultural Society - Fruit and Vegetable Gardening in Australia". 2006
- Yates, Arthur. "Yates Garden Guide." 1998
Sarah Williams - Sarah Williams is originally from the South West of England but now lives in the Illawarra region of Australia. She is a freelance writer, ...
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