In the summer, city dwellers also want to taste the "real" vegetables grown by themselves. If there is no suburban area, but there is a balcony, then it is quite realistic to plant a mini-garden on it. Not only a spacious loggia is suitable, but also a small balcony on which all kinds of vegetables, herbs and even berries will grow! In this article you will find ideas for a garden on the balcony, we will help you to use the place correctly and choose varieties of vegetables for a successful harvest.
Vertical beds
This method of plant placement is not only successful, but also beautiful. An ordinary whatnot is suitable for beds, it can be purchased at any hardware store. At the same time, the whatnot can be metal or consist of plastic trays. This option is very convenient for growing greens (parsley, dill, onions, lettuce, and so on), radishes, strawberries and flowers. A vertical balcony bed does not take up much space, but will allow you to grow a variety of vegetables and herbs. Also, it will become a real decoration of the balcony.
Shelf containers must be covered with burlap and only then be filled with soil suitable for growing a particular plant.
The soil will need to be well watered, with a pencil, to make holes in it in which to plant the seeds. Next, the containers are covered with cellophane, which must be removed when the first shoots appear.
Hanging baskets
Another great way to save space, decorate the balcony and grow greens, flowers and even carrots! Hanging baskets can be bought at a hardware store or made independently from ordinary baskets, for this you will need:
- three baskets of different sizes;
- strong rope;
- dense cellophane;
- scissors.
First of all, it is necessary to lay cellophane at the bottom of the baskets in order to protect the floor from the ingress of dirty water during irrigation.
The largest basket should be at the bottom and the smallest at the top. Using scissors, a stick or other object, slide the outermost upper rods of the large basket so that you can thread the rope through them. Bring the rope from both sides to the very end and tie knots at the bottom to fix the basket well.
Pass the rope through the bottom into the middle basket, leave the necessary distance between it and the largest one, tie knots so that the basket does not slide down. Pull the rope to the top and make knots again. Attach the third, smallest basket in the same way. Get three hanging containers, fastened with one rope.
Flowers, greens and ampelous tomatoes will look great in hanging baskets. This is an easy way to create coziness on the balcony, surprise the neighbors and delight your own eyes!
Advantages and varieties of ampelous tomatoes
Ampel tomatoes are suitable for growing not only on the balcony, but also at home - on the windowsill. You can decorate the walls of the apartment with baskets and enjoy juicy tomatoes all year round. Of course, they are inferior in size, taste and yield to ordinary garden tomatoes, but if there is no summer cottage, then this method of cultivation is ideal! In addition, other advantages can be noted:
- tomatoes are not much susceptible to a variety of diseases, because they grow in constantly ventilated soil;
- planting can be done earlier than ordinary tomatoes, and this is an earlier harvest;
- varieties of ampelous tomatoes are not picky in care, unlike ordinary ones.
The following varieties of ampel tomatoes are recommended for balcony gardening:
- Citizen F1 is a medium-sized tomato weighing about 35 grams. Endowed with excellent taste and beautiful appearance. It can be used both for preservation and for fresh consumption. The optimal capacity for growing is at least 4 liters in volume.
- Cascade F1 Red and Yellow. Differences only in color - red and yellow varieties. Fruits grow on average up to 50 grams, juicy, fragrant and very tasty. I liked the variety for its unpretentiousness - it does not require pinching, it is only necessary to remove dead leaves. The cascade is suitable for cooking fresh salads and preservation.
- Red abundance of F1 - the variety fell in love with an early harvest. Ripening occurs on the 50th day after emergence. The fruits are small - 20-30 grams each, but there are a lot of them with proper care (fertilizing, pinching).
- Talisman - the perfect variety for the garden on the balcony. It tolerates cold and cloudy days, fruits up to 80 grams. Tomatoes are sweet-sour, juicy, suitable for both preservation and fresh treats.
Growing tomatoes in hanging baskets
Ideal for the city dweller - breeding ampel tomatoes on the balcony. Growing is practically no different from gardening. It is also necessary to plant seedlings, and then transplant to a permanent place - in baskets.
The plus of the garden on the balcony is that already at the beginning of May, with the onset of the first warm days, tomatoes can be carried out into the air, and brought into the home when temperatures change.
Capacities will be needed from 5 to 10 liters, but they will not take up much space, since they will be located on the walls.
Filling requires fertile soil, which can be created from a mixture of peat, humus and sod land. Add wood ash and potassium sulfate.
Once every two weeks, along with watering, feed, tomatoes need the following:
- phosphoric fertilizers;
- mineral top dressing;
- nitrogen (urea, ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate).
Fertilizing must be alternated, with nitrogen it is impossible to overdo it, since excess will cause the formation of a huge green mass, which will affect yield.
Ampel tomatoes do not tolerate hunger strikes; they should be watered and fertilized stably.
How to grow ordinary tomatoes on the balcony?
Fans of ordinary tomatoes who want to grow crops on the balcony are advised to pay attention to varieties specially designed for such conditions. The loggia will not be able to get the desired crop from the usual varieties of tomatoes that are used for planting in greenhouses and open ground. The fact is that:
- Ordinary varieties are often tall, they need a special formation, without which there will be no crop.
- Tomato bushes for the garden have a developed root system, they need a large space, and plastic trays of small capacity simply will not work.
There are many varieties of tomatoes that are ideal for balcony growing.
Varieties of tomatoes for the balcony
If you want to get a tomato crop from the balcony, then pay attention to important details in choosing seed. Growing tomatoes on the balcony is quite possible, just do not buy tall species. Also discard those where the fruits will be large (up to a kilogram or more). There are many dwarf tomato varieties, among which the most popular can be considered:
- Taini Tim is an early ripe tomato, loved for friendly ripening. Fruits the bush for only 14-17 days, but it is showered with plenty of tomatoes. The first inflorescences appear during the formation of the fifth and sixth true leaves. When inflorescences form on the main shoot, all development will go to the stepson. In place of flowers there will be 5-7 tomatoes, weighing up to 20 grams. They are bright red when ripe, sweet, juicy.
- Angelica is a very early variety, the first fruits will delight the gardener already on the 80th day after the appearance of the first sprout. The formation of inflorescences begins with the appearance of 7-8 true leaves. In place of flowers grows from 8 to 10 tomatoes of bright red color. Tomatoes weigh from 40 to 70 grams, they are egg-shaped, ideal not only for summer salads, but also for conservation.
- Pearl. The undersized bush reaches a length of only 40 centimeters. The fruits are small, only 10-20 grams each, but very plentiful. One inflorescence gives up to 7 tomatoes, which are initially whitish, and when fully ripened, they acquire a rich raspberry color with a pearl tint. The fruits are sweet, juicy, ideal for making fresh salads and juice. The variety is unpretentious, it perfectly tolerates not only heat and cold, but also the lack of top dressing.
- Butterfly is a tall variety, but adapted for balcony growing. The bush grows to 1.5 meters, so it needs to be tied. Fruits abundantly cover the bush - 30-50 pieces on each inflorescence. The weight of tomatoes is small, on average 25-30 grams. When ripe tomatoes are raspberry, very sweet and juicy.
- Ballerina is another tall balcony variety, bushes reach 1.8 meters. Fruits are larger than in the previous variety - up to 50 grams, but less plentiful, only 5-8 pieces per inflorescence. Taste qualities like Butterfly, the color is similar.
- Romantic - a variety of red tomatoes with a brownish-yellow tint. The bush is at least 1.5 meters in height, each inflorescence gives 8-10 tomatoes, the weight of which is on average 50 grams. The taste is sweet and sour, sugar pulp, friable.
- Also in the garden on the balcony are welcome all kinds of cherry tomatoes - red, yellow, pink and black. This variety is excellent in that it is suitable for both balcony and greenhouse cultivation. If in the greenhouse the bush grows up to 2 meters, then in the pot it will be up to a meter. Yields are always good, cherry branches have been showered with tomatoes for a long time, like grapes.
Growing tomatoes on the balcony
Dwarf varieties can be grown at least all year round - on the windowsill, but still choose the summer season, when the bushes will receive maximum real sunlight, breathe in fresh, not stale, indoor air.
Planting seeds for seedlings is from February to March. In May-June, you can transplant into plastic trays (with good drainage) or wooden boxes (only processed from rot and parasites). Depending on the variety, seedlings dive.
There are no difficulties in growing; if necessary, tie up, water steadily and make feeding at least once every two weeks. Remove excess green mass so that it does not obscure the fruits and does not take away from them the majority of substances useful for growth.
Is it possible to grow cucumbers on the balcony?
If everything is more or less clear with tomatoes, and planting them in an apartment is not difficult, then what about cucumbers? Growing cucumbers in plastic bottles is a new trend in urban gardeners! Thus, the bushes will receive the required greenhouse effect, and for this they will thank you with abundant fruiting!
What is required?
- Plastic bottles from 2 liters (two-liter will contain one bush, and those that are more than 5 liters - several plants).
- Foil.
- Soil "For vegetable crops", which can be purchased at the store.
- Seeds
How to plant cucumbers in a bottle?
It is necessary to cut a third of the upper part from the bottle so that it holds, that is, leaving the part uncircumcised. After planting, you will need to close the "bed" to create a greenhouse effect. If the upper part is cut off completely, then it will slide, giving access to unwanted cold air.
We wrap the bottles outside with foil, it will cover the roots of the planting from destructive ultraviolet light.
Fill the bottles with soil so that two fingers remain from the cut edges.
Soak the seeds in water, those that come up can be thrown away - they are empty and will not germinate. The rest should be wrapped in a paper towel or gauze, disinfected in a solution of manganese and removed for 12 hours on the lower shelf of the refrigerator.
As soon as the seeds hatch, they are planted in bottles, watered abundantly, covered and placed in a well-lit place.
Next, you need stable watering - cucumbers like a lot of water - and warm. Avoid drafts, they are fatal to planting. Harvesting from bottles is convenient - open the trimmed top and remove the pickles from the branches!
Choose self-pollinated varieties, as bees rarely fly to the balcony, and such guests are unlikely to please you!
Bell pepper on the balcony
Growing pepper on the balcony is not a hassle, it’s no harder to do than grow tomatoes. Suitable for planting as a regular flower pot (size at least 10 x 10 cm), and a large plastic container. Peppers can not be planted too closely, bushes love freedom, and if they are limited in it, a good harvest will not succeed.
Seeds need to be sprouted to immediately remove the empty. To do this, put the seed in wet gauze, put it near the battery for three days. At the same time, we do not forget about the seeds, it is necessary to maintain gauze moisture by stably spraying it with warm water.
Within three days, the seeds will sprout, those that did not want to do this, you just need to throw it away.
Plant peppers to a depth of not more than 1.2 centimeters. The soil is suitable for peppers and tomatoes, or you can make it yourself by mixing in equal parts humus, turf land and peat.
In order not to further damage the roots, immediately when planting, insert sticks into the ground, to which you will tie the bushes in the future.
Pepper Care
Peppers - "people" are thermophilic and hygrophilous. Once every three days, water by sprinkling from a watering can until the flowering period. After that, continue watering in the same amount, but bring water already under the root.
Peppers will bear fruit only with regular top dressing:
- once a week with watering - ammonium nitrate (in the spring);
- water every two weeks in the summer with phosphorus, potash and nitrogen fertilizers, alternating between them;
- once a month, make mineral fertilizing.
Growing carrots on the balcony
The advantages of this method are the minimum number of weeds that attack carrots in summer cottages. This causes difficulties when weeding, since the weed grass quickly clogs the entire space, and among it it is difficult to find only hatching carrot leaves. There is no such abundance of weeds on the balcony in the container, which greatly facilitates the fate of the gardener!
For growing in containers, mostly dwarf carrots, such as Chantane and Thumbelina, are suitable. Both varieties are sweet, juicy.
You need to plant seeds in late April - early May. In order for the carrots to sprout faster, the soil must be kept moist, but no overflows should be allowed.
As soon as the sprouts reach 2.5 centimeters in length, the planting will need to be thinned out by removing weaker seedlings or transplanted into other containers.
In late July or early August, you can enjoy carrots grown on the balcony!
Growing strawberries in pots
Contrary to popular belief, it’s easy to grow strawberries on the balcony! You just need to choose a place that will be lit by the sun for at least 6 hours a day.
It is recommended to use polypropylene containers for balcony cultivation of strawberries, which will not allow contamination and decay of the fruit, which is very convenient if the child will pick the berries and immediately put them in your mouth! Also, the method is convenient when preparing jam - you do not need to carefully select good berries and wash them off the ground for a long time.
But even the simplest containers are suitable - flower pots, hanging baskets and plastic containers.
Take care of drainage - make small holes in the bottom of the tank.
The ideal soil for growing strawberries will be horse neutralized peat mixed in equal parts with vermicompost. The color of such land is a little "rusty", but it should be so.
Plant seedlings so that all the buds are on the surface, and the roots are completely sprinkled with earth.
Keep the soil always moist, but at the same time do not allow overflow (moisture should not go into the pallet). Do not allow the land to completely dry - strawberries cannot tolerate drought.
If the loggia is warm, glazed, then you can plant seedlings in the fall. If the balcony is glazed, but cold, then land only at the beginning of the first warm spring days.
Potatoes on the balcony
We will not fill the floor of the balcony with earth to create the beds! We invite city dwellers to consider growing potatoes in crates, which does not take up much space, but the harvest is enough to eat fresh potatoes or to provide this tuber for the whole autumn, and maybe longer!
The deeper the box, the greater the yield. Potatoes form tubers along the entire length of the root trunk, if it is completely underground. In the old days, this way they achieved a greater harvest, planting potatoes in pits, which gradually filled the soil. We suggest growing potatoes in boxes, which, like the pits, we will gradually fill.
Growing technology:
- Take a box more than a meter deep. Lay bricks at the bottom and planks on top, leaving cracks between them.
- Sprinkle the earth so that you can dig a potato into it. Add humus or compost.
- Visually divide the container into five floors, put marks. When the potato bush grows to the second mark below - put more boards, sprinkle with earth.
- Continue building until flowering. And so that it does not start early, obscure the bush from the sun.
- As soon as flowers appear, add some earth, compost.
Potatoes need irrigation stable, they need to start with planting. Bushes are not afraid of drying out the soil until flowering begins.
As soon as the time comes to harvest, as indicated by a drooping and yellowed tops, disassemble the container and collect the tubers.
The garden on the balcony allows you to grow almost everything! You should be smart and use the space correctly. With great desire, you will be able to harvest no less than the owners of small summer cottages!