HOW TO:
Balcony Gardening
If you’re living in an apartment with little-to-no outdoor space, or if you simply don’t have the time to maintain a garden, balcony gardening is for you! Balcony gardening is possible for all and any small and tight spaces. You can use railings, trellis, walls, tiers and shelves to grow up.
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Choosing Your Plants
When growing your balcony garden, always be sure to consider the amount of sunlight and wind your balcony gets. Further more is your balcony a simple Juliet balcony or is it large enough to accommodate a small bistro set? Depending on the size of your space you will be able to figure out how can you utilise it, and choosing the right plants with a bit of research becomes much easier. In this blog post, we will discuss the best plants for balcony gardening and how to use your balcony.
Sunny Balcony
If you have a sunny balcony, you’re in luck! There are many Sun-loving plants that will thrive in this environment. Some great plants for sunny balconies include herbs such as basil, rosemary and thyme; vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers and eggplants; flowers such as petunias, marigolds and cosmos; and miniature fruit trees such as lemon, lime and peach. Be sure to place your plants in direct sunlight for at least six hours a day to ensure that they will thrive. Read our guide on Full Sun plants.
Shady Balcony
However, if your balcony isn’t sunny but is a shady balcony, don’t worry! You can still garden by choosing plants that like shade. Some great plants for shady balconies include hostas, ferns, impatiens, coleus and begonias. Be sure to place your plants in an area that receives indirect sunlight for at least four hours a day. Read our guide on Shady Gardens and the best plants for this environment here.
Windy Balcony
If your balcony is more of a windy environment, you’ll need to choose plants that can withstand high winds. Some great plants for windy balconies include lavender, rosemary, sedum and yarrow. Be sure to place your plants in an area that is protected from the wind, to do this you could create a windbreak by using bamboo.
Low-Maintenance Balcony
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance garden, succulents are perfect! They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours, and they don’t need much water. This makes them ideal for the forgetful gardener. Some other low-maintenance plants perfect for balcony gardening are Aloes, Sedums and Aeoniums.
Edible balcony garden
If you’re looking for a more ‘edible’ balcony garden, why not try growing some vegetables? You can grow a variety of vegetables in containers, including tomatoes, peppers, lettuce and herbs. Be sure to use organic soil and fertiliser for your plants, order yours from our range here.
Patio Orchard
Patio Orchards are ideal for larger balconies if you wanted to create an edible garden space, not only will these produce fruit such as conference pears, morello cherries, peach, lemons or opal plums but will also produce blossom in the spring . This is the perfect way to add some colour to your balcony.
Don’t be afraid to experiment when growing your balcony garden, try to use different textures and colours when selecting your plants.
Short Term & Small Balcony Gardens
If you are an avid gardener but tend to move a lot or have a short term residence, our tips for a short term balcony garden with help you create a beautiful green space for your home no matter how long you are there.
Tools to Use
If you want to utilise your outdoor space in your home but can’t due to renting reasons then there are many options on how you can still make that space your own. If you love climbers such as clematis or jasminoides but aren’t planning to stay long term, you can grow these climbers up trellises or obelisks to make them easily movable.
When growing climbers such as clematis or tomatoes why not try using a plant halo? Plant halos are the perfect pot to provide support for both bamboo sticks and the plant itself, making them ideal for climbers.
If you have an empty wall or unused shelf, you can also use this to your advantage by growing climbers or hanging plants. This is a great way to add some extra greenery to your balcony and make use of unused space. If you want to utilise your whole space without leaving a mark, use removable adhesive hooks or screws that won’t leave damage.
Annual Plants
Another option is to purchase annual plants, annuals will only last for one season and must be replanted every year, making these plants ideal for avid gardeners in short term homes. Some great annuals for balcony gardens include impatiens, petunias, marigolds and cosmos.
Juliet Balcony
If you have a Juliet balcony, you can use it to your advantage by growing climbers such as ivy and clematis. These plants will trail down the sides of your balcony, adding some extra greenery. You can also make use of railing containers and planters to grow herbs, making this a great way to keep them close at hand when cooking.
Railing Planters
Railing planters are a great way to utilise your balcony space and add some extra greenery. There are a variety of different railing planters available, so you can find one that fits your style. Be sure to check the weight limit of your railing before purchasing a planter.
Add Some Comfort
Everybody loves to sit back and relax in the comfort of their gardens, even with a balcony you can do this too!
By adding a few pieces of furniture and/or accessories, you can utilise it to its full potential easily and transform your balcony into an outdoor oasis.
Bistro Sets
A great way to make use of small balconies is by using bistro sets . This will give you the perfect spot to relax in with a good book or enjoy your morning coffee.
View our best selling bistro sets below and begin to create your own oasis!
BBQ's
Now that you know the basics of balcony gardening and ways to optimise your space for comfort, be sure to check out our range of BBQ’s .
A great way to make use of a large balcony is by adding a BBQ. This will allow you to cook up a storm while enjoying the outdoors. Browse our range of BBQ’s below and find the perfect one for you! Just be sure your balcony is barbecue friendly before lighting a naked flame.
As you can see, there are a variety of different ways to utilise your balcony space and create a beautiful garden. No matter what type of balcony you have, there’s a way to make it work for you! So, now that you know the basics of balcony gardening and ways to optimise your space for comfort, with a little creativity you can turn it into a beautiful garden, so start planning and have fun today!
Always be sure to do some research on the best plants for your environment and what will work best for you to avoid disappointment!
Do you have a balcony garden? Share yours and tag us on Instagram with the hashtag #ruxleybalconies. We can’t wait to see your creations!
