So you’ve decided: this is the year you’re going to start a balcony garden. Did you know that vertical gardening can help you maximize both space and yield? You’re embarking on a unique gardening adventure, growing plants in conditions many might overlook, and naturally, you want it to succeed. More people than ever are transforming their balconies into thriving outdoor spaces, taking gardening to new heights. Read on to learn how to avoid common pitfalls.
Breaking Bad – or not
The most important thing? Please, check with your strata or building management for rules and regulations governing how you can use your outdoor space. Your urban jungle might not be appreciated by those making the rules. Beyond the basic permission, get an idea of how much weight is allowed on your balcony as well. The average size container with soil and water might weigh upwards of 100 pounds or more, so make sure you’re allowed to install a garden and that your balcony can support your ideas!
A Harsh Environment
The next step before you start your foliage explosion is to consider the conditions on your balcony and how vertical gardening can take advantage of sun exposure and microclimates. The breeze, in most cases, can be quite a bit stronger than it is at ground level, so be sure to plan for that. Beyond the wind, consider the sun. How does it hit your balcony? In a fascinating gardening twist, you can literally expect that there are micro-climates on your balcony due to the angle of the sun and the direction your unit faces. One side might get blistering sun, while on the other, it’s completely shaded all day. Be sure to understand this above all else. You need to assess this aspect properly for your chosen plants to thrive.
What Goes Where
Site conditions assessed? Check. Ok, so on to the fun part-design. Balcony garden design can be tricky, but vertical gardening techniques help you make the most of limited space. Let’s break down the bare bones basics.
Balconies are small spaces and in general benefit from a more formal style. Even if you choose informal, you will need to have organization, ensuring both mobility around the area and a usable space. If the jungle takes up the whole space, there is no room to enjoy it! Do you travel a lot in summer? If you do, selecting plants that are drought tolerant might be your best bet. Is watering going to be convenient or a chore?
What is the purpose of the balcony garden? It might be food, tranquility, or anything else you design. Just make sure you think about it before you go on your buying spree. Thinking of the buying spree, gardening can be pricey if you let it. Make sure you know what you budget is and stick to it, just as for everything else in life.
Contain Your Enthusiasm
It is unlikely that you will be allowed to fill your balcony floor with a layer of dirt. Using containers strategically is key, especially when combining them with vertical gardening to increase plant density. But that obvious decision can be a hard choice. There are so many containers out there to choose from. In general, choose larger containers (considering the weight limits). Not only can you fit a more exciting combination of plants, but with more soil, larger containers are better able to keep moisture in extreme summer conditions. They also help insulate plant roots from those summer highs and winter lows. Give yourself as much weight room as possible for plants and soil by selecting lightweight metal or fiberglass containers; try to avoid the resin or cement options. If they feel heavy as you haul them up to the garden centre till, imagine getting them upstairs and full of soil and water after planting!
Soil is Everything
So, you have a plan and you’ve snagged some wonderful planters that are light weight, and ,as a bonus, were on sale too (way to stick to your budget)! Wait, did you remember to buy soil? This is where you should blow your budget. The harsh conditions on the balcony make life difficult for plants. In a natural ecosystem, plant health is linked directly to soil health. Same thing goes for your container. Spend the money on things like compost, worm castings, and beneficial microbes to enhance the container mix you are buying. Your plants will appreciate the upgrade and perform the way you want them to (as long as you remember to water them).
Some people, considering the weight issues, opt for filling containers with Styrofoam or other light bulking agents. Always remember that while reducing weight, this also severely restricts roots and the amount of area they have to grow in. And we won’t even get in to things like perched water tables. So be sure you understand why you are adding fillers.
When it comes to planting, you need drainage in your containers. However, drainage holes can be great places for soil to escape. Consider adding a small piece of landscape fabric or even a coffee filter to restrict particulate from escape while letting water soak through without a problem.
Planting Prowess
Arranging your plants thoughtfully is especially important in vertical gardening setups, where height and layering matter. When it comes to plant placement, there are rules. First, if you buy multiples of the same plant, make sure it’s an odd number. Trust the experts on this one; it looks more natural. Choose plants of varying heights, generally at least one plant as tall as the container or slightly taller. If possible, find a group of plants, some with shallow roots other with deeper roots, to get the most from your soil space. And when you are planting, make sure to apply a bit of mulch to the surface—bark, leaves, sawdust, compost, anything to help keep the soil moist. If your balcony gets intense sun, a Mediterranean or succulent design might be best. Great job assessing your space early! In this case, skip mulch and use quick-draining soil. Also remember to fill larger containers in place or your back might realize in horror that they are not meant to be moved after.
Feeding Fantastic
A basic consideration is choosing how to feed your plants. The regular potting soils for containers are usually quite low in nutrients, and most people will be using normal fertilizers. In this case, you should use nothing but organics. Not to start an argument, but let’s examine the reasons.
First, containers go through a lot of water. Some chemical fertilizers will not evaporate with the water and can form salt build ups. These can impact how plants absorb water and can even become toxic. These salts have nowhere to go in containers, which is good news for local streams but bad news for your plant roots.
Organics can also foster good biology in your soil and even improve the soil’s ability to hold air and water. A perfect choice for containers are worm castings. Potentially even ones from the worm bin under your sink, but that’s an article for another day. If you can’t find worm castings, you can mulch in an organic powder into the first inch of soil at the start of the year or go with the convenience of an organic liquid feed.
The Wonders of Water
There is nothing more amazing to add a water feature to any garden. Balconies can still find room in very small space for the soothing sounds of water. It gives an entirely new dimension to your outdoor space. Maybe add a couple of goldfish, too!
With vertical gardening, your small balcony can become a lush, productive space limited only by your creativity—once you know the do’s and don’ts, that is. Enjoy your creative thinking, and most importantly, be sure to water (but not too much) and enjoy your sky high gardening experience!
When given the right care, balcony gardens can surprise you with how much they produce . A splash of Grotek Cal-Max™ keeps leaves lush, Precision™ Micro delivers the tiny nutrients that make a big difference, and Solo-Tek Grow™ & Bloom™ fuel steady growth and vibrant flowers. With a little help from Grotek, even the tiniest balcony can feel like a backyard oasis.
