John Myers
Pots, tubs, or a vegetable patch on the balcony are quickly planted with herbs, lettuce, tomatoes, or fruit – and reward the hobby gardener with a delicious harvest. Read which varieties are suitable and what you should pay attention to when caring for them.
Fresh and delicious: vegetables from the balcony
Sow or plant a few plants, fertilize, water, and soon enjoy: Growing vegetables on your own balcony can be very easy – if you choose the right varieties and take good care of them. The be-all and end-all for the selection is the orientation of the balcony. If the blazing sun hits the roof terrace with a south orientation, not all vegetable plants tolerate it. Sun-loving herbs such as lemon verbena or tomatoes feel right at home here. Conversely, there are varieties specifically for shady balconies. It is best to get advice in the garden center or find out more on the relevant websites. Another important point is the space: Varieties that do not need large containers are suitable as vegetables on the balcony. Climbing vegetables such as beans should have room at the top. For the sake of the neighbors, you should also remember that excess water can drip onto the balcony below when watering.
Sow, set, plant vegetables on the balcony
Once you have found the right types of vegetables, you can start planting. If you would like to sow seeds yourself in the spring, there should be space for the seed pots indoors or in a small greenhouse. In summer you can then grow salads and other vegetables outdoors at any time. But you can also buy young plants or seedlings and save yourself the cultivation. Be sure to use the recommended soil for each type of vegetable and to keep a drain hole in the pot for excess watering. For plants that need a lot of water, you can also place the pots on a few wooden slats to provide ventilation from below. A layer of expanded clay in the lower area of the planter also does a good job. Basically well suited as balcony vegetables
- radish
- beans
- carrots
- snow peas
- cucumbers
- tomatoes
- paprika
- pick-lettuces
Care is more than watering
Watering and fertilizing are the most important care tasks for balcony gardeners, but many plants also have to be isolated or trimmed. This means that excess young plants are sorted out and side shoots are removed so that the fruits are large and strong. It is best to prepare care instructions for every vegetable on your balcony, which you can also give to the neighbors when you are on holiday. If you have done everything right, a bountiful harvest is a reward for your hard work. If too much is ripe at once, there are a variety of ways to preserve it. You can dry herbs like mint, fruit and vegetables can be boiled, canned, or frozen. So you still have something of your small vegetable garden on balconies even in winter.
