Have you always dreamed of having a vegetable garden at home, in the middle of the city? Well, know that your dream is perfectly achievable! Tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, courgettes, green beans, radishes, strawberries and even fruit trees can grow on your balcony without any problem. It's up to you to customize your vegetable garden according to your tastes!
Before embarking on this major project, first find out about your rights. Be aware that each condominium has specific regulations in terms of development. It is also preferable to inform the municipality to have an official authorization and to avoid problems. It is only once all the little "administrative" details have been settled that you can get down to setting up your vegetable garden.
To start, you need to divide your balcony in two. On one side, you will plant fruits and vegetables and on the other green plants. If you have a fairly narrow surface, grow plants that do not take up too much space or opt for high crops. Be aware that there are special seeds such as mini squash or mini leeks.
Otherwise, a vegetable garden on the balcony requires several pots of different sizes. You also need a spade, a rake and a trowel. Stock up on water, potting soil and elbow grease. Ready-to-grow pots are also very practical, as they do not require any watering.
You have the choice between strawberries and raspberries to beautify your patio. Favor varieties that can be planted in pots such as those that tend to go up. This also makes it easy to harvest the fruits once they appear.
Raspberries are resistant to any climate. In addition, they tolerate pot culture very well. Water them once a week or more if the weather is very dry. Preferably, plant your raspberry in autumn in a pot of about 25 cm in diameter and 30 cm deep.
Choose mara des bois or gariguette for the strawberries. These two variants do not require too much maintenance, but they must be well exposed to the sun. Plant a foot of strawberries in a 10 liter pot. Try alternating varieties to see luscious strawberries all year round.
Red and yellow cherry tomatoes or dwarf tomatoes will add a nice touch of color to your balcony. Simply choose a well-suited pot to plant them in, as this variety requires five hours of sunlight a day.
Otherwise, you can also grow peppers and chillies which will look very pretty with their very variable colors:yellows, organs, reds, greens. These vegetables only require a warm environment and sunlight. Get a 30 cm deep pot and you're done. From time to time, drain the soil with a little fertilizer, especially when you plant them.
Eggplants are also easy to sow, especially if you are still a beginner. They come in various shapes and colors:elongated, spherical, purple, white... Make sure the environment is perfectly temperate. Remember to water regularly and add natural fertilizer.
You can perfectly plant some on your balcony. Lemon trees and mandarin trees are two of the most common varieties these days. Citrus trees need a sunny spot, but sheltered from the wind. Plant them in a large terracotta pot. Never neglect watering, because the citrus plant should never be dry. However, the water should not stagnate for too long. In winter, put your shrub at home or in a place where the temperature varies between 8 and 12°C. Last tip, water your plantation preferably at the end of the day!
You now have all the keys in hand to set up a nice little vegetable garden on your balcony! All you have to do is choose the ideal fruits and vegetables and get to work.
