A balcony is usually a limited space, so if you plan to grow vegetables there, it would be wise to choose some that are really productive. You don’t want to watch them for six months, only to get a small crop at the end of all that time. So deciding what to grow on your balcony is an important subject.
Tomatoes Are Most Productive
Tomatoes are amazing. The smaller varieties seem to grow much faster than the large ones. The small ones are also better suited to the balcony garden, because they don’t take up too much space. Check the seed packet, or ask your seedling supplier what the expected production time should be. With tomatoes, it is not unusual to get your first crop within 60 days of planting.
Make sure you position the tomato plants such that they get 5 to 6 hours of sunshine each day. And, if you live in a cooler climate, make sure you don’t plant your tomatoes too early, as they will be affected badly by frost. Also, plant them deep in the pot; they don’t like their roots to be too close to the surface.
Beans Are Also Productive and Easy to Grow
Beans want to grow upwards and you can help them out here by mounting a trellis behind the pot. They grow quite fast and in a matter of weeks you could have a trellis full of beans, ready to eat.
There’s something fascinating about beans. As they grow they actually improve the nitrogen content of the surrounding soil. As a result, you will do well to plant other things nearby (in the same pot) that require nitrogen. They work together very well in this way. Kale and celery are good examples here.
Lettuce is One You Can Keep on Harvesting!
If you want to know what to grow on your balcony that is really easy and very rewarding, try lettuce. It does extremely well in balcony pots. Just be aware that these varieties do best in the colder months. If you live in a warm part of the world, choose winter to grow your lettuce. And when you pick them, select the leaves on the outside each time, as they grow from the middle, so they keep replenishing the crop for you.
You don’t need to plant them very deep, so you can use a shallower pot than for other plants. But keep the individual plants well apart. They may look small and insignificant when they are seedlings, but when they grow up, they really do… So give them plenty of space. Although, it does depend on the type of lettuce you have; if it grows with a firm head, it needs more space between plants than if it is one of the leafy ones that has no large head of leaves.
By the way, don’t over water them. They need consistent moisture, but do not like to be flooded out!
Peppers and Chilies can Really Spice it Up
These guys not only produce abundant crops, they look really colorful on the balcony and will add fun to the way your balcony garden looks.
Use a large deep pot and make sure it is in a full sun position most of the day. With these plants it is wise to make sure you have a good quality soil for them to grow in. They will reward you with lots of healthy “fruit”. Never let them get too dry and make sure you water the soil, not the leaves. They don’t like getting their foliage wet as they are prone to various fungal growths.
Are you Ready for Radishes?
Radishes really grow fast. You will be amazed. And you don’t need huge pots, as they can grow in quite shallow soil. Just make sure you give them a constant supply of water – never let them dry out, as you will lose them.
One thing that may be a show-stopper in producing really good radishes is that they need noon-day sun, rather than early morning or late afternoon. If you can’t arrange this because of the location of your balcony, you may want to look for something else to grow instead. But if you can manage it, you will be rewarded with a wonderful abundance of sharp, crisp veggies to put on your table.
Herbs are King on the Balcony
If you want to create excitement on the dinner plates you serve to your family, get yourself into herbs. They can make an amazing difference to the flavor of almost anything. And they are so easy to grow. Also, like lettuce, you can keep harvesting them (from the outside in, as you pick the leaves) for months at a time, because they just keep on producing! They really are the most prolific growers.
Most herbs need to be kept moist all the time, but not over watered. It’s easy to get going with herbs – just buy small plants from your local nursery and plant them out in your herb pot(s). They can also advise you on the different ways you can use these versatile plants.
So, What Should You Grow on Your Balcony?
The answer is, you have an abundant selection of things that will please all comers. You should vary the selection over time and eventually find those plants that not only grow really well, but are a hit with the family. After all, it’s what you put on the plates and how it is received that’s important here.
