Balcony Container Gardening

Living in a small space shouldn't hinder your ability to have fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers. It may feel like an impossible task to grow fresh tomatoes, herbs, cucumbers or even strawberries while living in an apartment or condo, but it's not.

There are many ways you can turn your balcony or patio into green space without too much effort or cost. By clustering containers together, you can create an oasis of plant material, mixing flowers with vegetables and even shrubs.

There are a few things to consider before starting out:

• What kind of sunlight do you have on the patio? Like an in-ground garden, your sunlight patterns will determine what you can grow on your patio. If you don't have the right kind of sunlight that your plants require, there are lights available to supplement during the hours the patio is shady.
• Do you want to grow only vegetables or do you want fruiting trees also? This will determine how many plants and containers you can have. 
• How much space do you have? Are you able to have only one or two containers or do you have room for larger groupings of containers?

Most plants survive well in containers, as long as the containers are large enough to contain the roots and care is taken to prepare the soil first. Container gardens require more watering than in-ground gardens because they dry out quickly. The type of planter you use will dictate just how much watering and care the plants will need. The variety of containers is wide now, unlike years ago when you had the choice of only terra cotta or plastic.

• Deck rail planters are just what they sound like:  planters that go over the rails of your balcony. They are perfect for flowers, herbs and vines. They don't take up precious space on the ground.
• Smart Pots are lightweight and made of a breathable fabric. This amazing invention can be washed in the washing machine, can fold down for off-season storage and can be left out year-round. The sides can be slit to grow strawberries, onions and potatoes. There are several different sizes available and is a great option for a cluster of plant material on a patio or balcony.
• The EarthBox with or without the stand is perfect for gardeners who aren't there all the time. It's self-watering and is perfect for flowers, tomatoes, bush beans or peppers. 
• Terra cotta pots are still a great choice, however, if you live in a very hot area the watering requirements will be high as terra cotta dries out quickly.
• Strawberry pots are great for growing strawberries and even flowers, onions or herbs. They give character to the space and can be used in many different ways.

Once you've determined the types of plants and containers you need, you can get started. Make sure you prepare the soil to the requirements of the plants you choose and keep them watered. Containers will dry out faster than in-ground plantings so care should be taken not to let them dry out or not to over-water. 

There are no limits to what you can grow in your small balcony or patio space. Make it pretty and enjoy your little oasis! 

1st Photo credit:  Dancing Sloth, Creative Commons 2.0

2nd Photo credit: boboroshi, Creative Commons 2.0