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Growing plant in a limited space like a balcony or patio can be a challenge even for an experienced gardener , but it ’s also a great chance to be creative and have fun .

From deciding what to acquire ( an urban vegetable garden ? a tropic paradise ? ) to choosing imaginative containers ( such as an quondam lachrymation can or wood crateful ) , the entire outgrowth can be an adventure . Yes , you still must adhere to the rigid confines of your space , but there are many magic for making every straight inch tally . Here are some tips to aid you get started :

Balcony Vegetable Garden, Vegetable Containers
Proven Winners
Sycamore, IL

On this Sir Frederick Handley Page : maximise Your Space|Know Your Restrictions|How to Water|What to Grow|Choose Your Containers|Balcony Garden Ideas

On this page :

MAXIMIZE YOUR SPACE

How much space do you need for a balcony garden?Surprisingly , not much at all if you take reward of wall , railings , and overhead structures .

work your balcony into a perpendicular garden . Attach crapper , shelf , or trellises to the rampart ; and if your balcony has a ceiling , add a few hooks for hanging plants . address the railings of your balcony with chicken wire to digest climbing plants , or purchaseplant hangersthat can be attached to the top of a rail . ( See morevertical gardening ideas . )

reckon of your balcony garden as an reference of your indoor living space . If you take plant colour and texture that echo the interior design , even the smallest balcony will look more expansive and welcoming .

Balcony Vegetable Garden, Vegetable Containers
Proven Winners
Sycamore, IL

KNOW YOUR RESTRICTIONS

Learn gardening , from Bethany of@ChicagoGardener .

In addition to the square footage of your balcony , there may be other limitation that will limit what you may implant and where . If you populate in an apartment construction or condo , be certain to check what ’s allowable by the construction owner before you set out .

weightiness . There may be weight restriction and rules regarding what you may string up from balcony railings and wall . If the balcony is bind to your home , do it how much weighting it can safely back . The weight from large ceramic container and wet filth can add up quickly .

Balcony Vegetable Garden, Vegetable Containers
Proven Winners
Sycamore, IL

Microclimate . The amount of sunshine the quad receives is the most critical factor to look at , but wind exposure and temperature are authoritative too .

bakshish : If wind is a trouble on your balcony , consider usingbalcony privacy screensas windbreaks to protect more fragile plants . you’re able to also put plants that do n’t wish the wind in humiliated pots near a bulwark to give them more protection .

HOW DO YOU WATER A BALCONY GARDEN?

Few balcony or rooftop garden have admittance to an outside urine source , which intend you ’ll have to bank on water system from a sink or bathtub to keep your plants well - hydrated . To minimize your trips back and off tug heavy jug of body of water , try some of these strategies for water your plants :

Keep in idea that the hotter and windier the weather on your balcony , the more often you ’ll need to water – sometimes as often as twice a mean solar day . If a commodious H2O source is far from grasp , make life easier by arise industrial plant with low weewee requirements , such as cacti and succulents .

WHAT CAN YOU GROW IN A BALCONY GARDEN?

picture by : Ania K / Shutterstock

Just about any plant you’re able to raise in a container is average plot for a balcony garden , as long as you have the blank for it and can give it the appropriate amount of Dominicus or spectre . If you populate in a mood with frigid winters , consider growing some plants that are audacious enough to get out outdoors year - round or that can be winter indoors so you do n’t have to start from scratch again each spring .

WHAT CONTAINERS ARE BEST FOR A BALCONY GARDEN?

Anything that can hold soil and has good drainage has electric potential for a balcony container garden . The style can roll from fancy to frivolous , look on your gustatory perception , but the container should be pragmatic and accommodate the role . Some broker to view include container weightiness , durability , weather resistance , rest of watering , and cost .

See moretips for pick out the right container .

Featured in : Garden Design ’s Top 10 Garden Trends for 2022(“Maximizing Balconies & Porches " )

Balcony Vegetable Garden, Vegetable Containers
Proven Winners
Sycamore, IL

BALCONY GARDEN IDEAS

Most herbs will flourish on a sunny balcony or terrace and require very little space to grow . If your balcony does n’t have respectable sun exposure , some herbs that develop well in partial shade let in parsley , chervil , cilantro , and tarragon . Photo : Franz Peter Rudolf / Shutterstock

On a small balcony , take advantage of perpendicular space to maximise your arise elbow room . Sir Henry Wood pallets turned on end , old book shelf , or tiered planters are all practical solutions for gardening up rather than out . pic by : Eurybia / Shutterstock

Do n’t be afraid to play with people of colour and plant type . A mix of belittled trees , shrub , foliage flora , and colorful annuals will add interest and diversity to your balcony garden . Photo by : Udo Kroener / Shutterstock

Balcony Vegetable Garden, Vegetable Containers
Proven Winners
Sycamore, IL

heyday cascade down over railings and go up up trellis bring breathless colour and aroma to this charming European balcony garden . The symmetric organization of the plantings helps delineate the space and make balance . photograph by : Leigh Trail / Shutterstock

slat wall cover in mount plants and other greenery ferment an open balcony into a individual retreat . The bulwark also operate as shelterbelt , protect the soft foliage . Photo by : Tapui / Shutterstock

A gnome European olive tree tree diagram is the perfect selection for a balcony garden because of its low pee requirements and ohmic resistance to high winds and subfreezing temperatures . If you contrive to use the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree as a focal point , uplight it at night to mull over the beauty of the argent leafage . Photo by : Ania K / Shutterstock