Balcony Gardening Tips For Beginners
It is too uncreative if you have a balcony at home and think it is just a space for drying clothes. You can also transform the balcony into a private vegetable garden or beautiful flower garden. Install a shelf on the balcony and plant some flowers and vegetable plants to make the whole balcony have green leaves covering each other. So, what plants are good for the balcony? How to create a balcony flower garden and vegetable garden? Below, follow me to see it together!
Balcony flower gardening tips
The benefits of having flowers on the balcony
- Beautify environment
It is human nature to need to be close to nature. And by raising a few pots of flowers and plants on the balcony, you can get rid of the boring space and experience the color of life.
- Purifying air
The oxygen released by plant photosynthesis can be exchanged in the bedroom or living room through air convection. Some green plants can also absorb indoor ozone and take away carbon dioxide.
- Prosperous life
Growing flowers can stimulate sentiment, change people’s impatience and sloppy problems, and give people hope and harvest all year round.
- Good for health
In the process of growing flowers, watering and fertilizing the flowers is also a kind of physical exercise, and at the same time, we can learn a lot of flower knowledge and bring the fun.
What kind of flowers to plant on the balcony
Different orientation balcony flowers
East-facing balconies are suitable for short-day and slightly shade-tolerant flowers, west-facing balconies are suitable for sun-tolerant flowers, north-facing balconies can grow some sun-loving flowers and plants, and south-facing balconies can choose some shade-tolerant flowers plant.
Enclosed balcony floral options
The closed south balcony can be planted with some light-loving flowers, the closed east balcony is suitable for planting some short-day flowers, the closed west balcony is suitable for short-day flowering flowers, and the closed north balcony is not suitable for planting flowering flowers.
Balcony flower maintenance method
Common cultivation methods
Ground planting, potted planting, soilless cultivation, etc.
Selection of flower pots
Tile pots, wooden flower pots, iron flower pots, cement flower pots, plastic flower pots, strawflower pots, etc.
Fertilizer selection
The nutrient solution, special organic fertilizer, and homemade organic compost.
The common way of reproduction
Sowing method, division method, cutting method, grafting method, layering method.
How to repel mosquitoes
Plant mosquito repellent plants (Negara, lavender, pitcher plant, etc.); homemade green insecticides (chili water, garlic paste water, pepper water)
Pay attention to planting flowers on the balcony
I recommend choosing flowers according to the light intensity, watering them frequently, and installing windbreaks for flowers when the wind is strong.
Balcony vegetable garden tips
What vegetable to grow on the balcony
- Fast-growing vegetables with a short cycle
Rape, Green garlic, Sprouts, Mustard, Lettuce.
- Long harvest vegetables
Tomatoes, Peppers, Chives, Coriander, Parsley, Green onions
- Space saving vegetables
Carrots, Lettuce, Green onions, Ginger, Coriander.
- Easy-to-grow vegetables
Bitter gourd, Carrot, Ginger, Green onion, Lettuce, Cabbage.
Precautions for growing vegetables on the balcony
- Suitable lighting conditions
If the light is poor, the vegetables are easy to dead, or the grown vegetables are not dense enough.
- Choose manageable vegetables
Many vegetables need attentive care, and the survival rate becomes low once they are out of care.
- Do not grow vegetables that attract insects
Insects will lead to the breeding of allergens in the home environment, such as skin allergies and so on.
- Better ventilation
Obstructed ventilation can cause rancid and musty smells in the container for growing vegetables, causing odors in the house.
- The drainage function of the balcony needs better
No matter what kind of container is used to grow vegetables, it is necessary to ensure that there are drainage holes at the bottom to ensure smooth drainage.
Balcony green planting tips
What kind of plants are good for balcony
Ivy
The leaves are beautiful and evergreen in all seasons. When placed on the indoor balcony, it can make the ivy bloom more beautiful, and it is also conducive to the adsorption of toxic substances in the air, which plays a good role in purifying the air.
Monstera
When placed on the balcony, the leaves are larger, which can effectively carry out photosynthesis and grow lusher.
Jasmine
The leaves are lush and colorful, and the balcony placed indoors can allow it to receive sufficient light and good ventilation and has a good effect on beautifying the environment. In addition, it has a natural fragrance.
Money tree
The tree pieces are round, thick, plump, easy to grow, and have strong vitality. It is said that it can absorb the external gold and bring wealth to the family.
Balcony plant maintenance attention
Humidity Management
The balcony is well ventilated, and the air is easy to dry, so watering is the key, followed by enhancing the humidity of the surrounding air.
Light management
Some plants like sunlight, and some plants like shade, so pay more attention to the light management of plants. Build a shade net to prevent sun exposure when it is too hot.
Fertilization management
Generally, it should be based on nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium comprehensive fertilizers that contain various nutrients and are suitable for growing various plants. In addition, it is advisable to use some fermented base fertilizers.
Balcony succulent planting tips
Succulents for balcony
Rainbow Jade
It has strong adaptability to temperature and can grow well between 10°C and 28°C.
Cotyledon tomentosa
The leaves are beautiful in color, and the flowers are small and small. It is like a warm, dry and sunny, well-ventilated environment.
Black Mage
Likes a warm, dry, and sunny environment and is drought tolerant, not cold, slightly tolerant to partial shade.
Golden barrel cactus
Likes full sun and prefers fertile, well-drained sandy loam soil.
How to grow succulent seeds
How to sow succulent seeds
The most suitable sowing time is from March to May. When sowing, sprinkle the seeds on the soil, cover the seeds with fine soil, cover the pot with a layer of plastic wrap, and poke a few small holes.
How long does it take for succulent seeds to germinate
The germination time varies with the season and temperature. Generally speaking, roots will grow in 1-2 weeks if you sow in spring, which may take about a month in winter.
Balcony succulent maintenance method
How to choose flower pots for succulents
I recommend choosing according to the size of the succulent plant, the depth of the flower pot, and the size of the pot mouth.
Succulent soil configuration
The succulent plants should be mainly soil with loose and breathable soil, good drainage and water retention, and humus. It is recommended to use coconut bran + perlite + fine vermiculite (2:1:1), coconut bran + volcanic stone + peat soil (1: 1:1) ratio to configure.
How to water succulents
You should water the seedlings several times in small quantities, the adult plants should be watered once, and the old ones should be thoroughly watered once. The leaves are folded or softened and watered immediately. Water once every 3-4 days in spring and autumn. The soil can be kept slightly moist in summer and winter.
Light requirements for succulents
Succulents need four hours of full light daily, not enough light to use artificial light sources.
Propagation method of succulents
Division method, leaf-cutting method, grafting propagation, adventitious bud propagation, etc.
Succulent plant pest control
If you suffer from scab, you must spray thiophanate solution for treatment. Suffering from anthracnose can be sprayed with thiophanate-methyl. In case of rust, it is necessary to cut off the diseased part and spray dinconazole. If insect pests such as red spiders are found, in addition to manual hunting, you can spray these to prevent them.
Balcony succulent maintenance points
Allocate space reasonably
It is best to maintain a certain plant spacing between succulents, and succulents that like to be exposed to the sun should be placed outside, and varieties that are not sun-resistant should be placed inside.
Pay attention to heat preservation
Succulents may suffer from freezing damage due to the sudden drop in temperature, and plastic film can be used to block the cold air.
Water properly
Putting succulents outdoors can be more diligent than indoor succulents.
Balcony fruit planting tips
What kind of fruit is good to grow on the balcony
Fig
It has a unique taste and is rich in nutrients. It is very suitable for potted plants on the balcony. You can grow it with only one branch.
Strawberry
It is fragrant, looks good, and does not need a large place to grow, so it is very suitable for balcony planting.
Dragon fruit
As long as the temperature is suitable, you can plant potted plants on the balcony, but potted dragon fruit must be patient because it takes a long time to survive, from cuttings to flowering and fruiting.
Passion fruit
It is delicious and nutritious, with more than 100 kinds of fruit flavors. At the same time, as a climbing vine that can be viewed and eaten, it is very suitable for planting on the balcony.
Balcony fruit planting points
Facing side problem
I recommend that the balcony face a more shady direction. You can choose some shade-tolerant plants to grow or move them to the terrace to absorb the sun from time to time.
Temperature problem
The temperature of the semi-enclosed or unenclosed balcony is lower in winter, so choosing a cold-resistant fruit plant may cause some plants to fail to overwinter. However, in summer, the temperature of the semi-enclosed or unenclosed balcony is relatively high. At this time, you need to pay attention to shading protection.
