How to grow vegetables on your balcony

If you’re living in an apartment you might think that you have no hope of growing your own vegetables. Well, think again. If you have a balcony, there’s nothing to stop you from growing your own vegetables and herbs on it. Here are some tips on how to do just that:

Use synthetic soil
It’s best for when you’re gardening in containers. Wood chips, peat moss and sawdust are all great, and it’s not a bad idea to put coarse gravel at the bottom of the container before you put in the soil as it will improve drainage.

Remember to water them
When you lead a busy life remembering to water your balcony plants may be the last thing on your mind, but if you don’t water them once a day, they just won’t make it. Don’t over-do it either as you can drown them, and if your balcony gets rain, then obviously you don’t need to water them on rainy days.

Make sure they will get enough light
It’s good to observe your balcony and figure out the spots that get the most light. This is where your plants will thrive.

Pick the right vegetables
Some vegetables do better in containers than others. Carrots, for one, aren’t great in pots, but lettuce is. Tomatoes, zucchini, cucumber and peppers are all good options too, aswell as any kind of herb.

Germinate seeds indoors
Sometimes it can be handy to plant the seeds indoors and then transfer them to containers when they’re stronger.

Fertilise
It’s good to feed your plants as well as water them since they’re not in the ground. Get some fertiliser to add to your watering can from you garden centre.

Pick ‘em when they’re ripe
Make sure to harvest your vegetables, when they’re at their peak of ripeness to get them at their tastiest.

Image from Pinterest