The cultivation of decorative flowers is usually associated with a suburban area or cottage, since it is there that you can plant beautiful flower beds and flower beds as you please and realize your flower growing fantasies with almost no restrictions.
But flower lovers can afford to create a mini-flower garden in an urban environment - on the balcony of their apartment. Beautiful flowers can grow and bloom there no worse than in a suburban area.
To do this, you just need to competently approach the choice of plants and care for them.
Let's talk about the important points when creating a home flower garden with your own hands: which flowers for the balcony are best suited for your specific situation, how to care for them and what else you can plant, share design tips and.
To a greater extent, the choice of plants will depend on the location of the loggia relative to the cardinal points, on the degree of illumination.
There may also be a choice: annuals or perennials? The latter require long-term systematic care and, accordingly, great patience from the gardener, so let's talk about annuals.
Names and photos of colors suitable for the south balcony
Most garden flowers are very thermophilic and it is not difficult to arrange a flower arrangement on the southern balcony.
Of course, you might think that the more sun, the better.
But you need to take into account a few serious points regarding the effect of direct sunlight on flowers:
- The scorching sun's rays cause burns to tender leaves.
- On the south side, there can be scorching heat in summer. In such conditions, flowers require frequent watering and regular spraying.
When choosing a plant with this orientation, you need to build on the following characteristics of species and varieties: high drought resistance, good ability to tolerate sunlight, light-loving.
Pelargonium (Pelargonium)
It is very similar to geranium, but they are different plants. Tolerates direct sunlight well. Zonal (Pelargonium x hortorum, Zonal pelargoniums) and ivy-leaved (Ivy-Leaved Pelargoniums) varieties are most resistant to abundant sunlight.
Zonal pelargoniums have leaves with a characteristic, different in color, zonal pattern. The flowers are collected in large umbellate inflorescences, which can be laid along the entire length of the shoot, due to which there is a long flowering. In the presence of sufficient heat and light, such varieties can bloom all year round starting in March.
Green Color
Divas Blueberry
Night Scarlet
Patricia Andrea
Ivy pelargoniums are distinguished by long thin stems and hard ivy-like leaves. The leaves are covered with a thick cuticle that helps reduce moisture loss during drought.
With an abundance of light, pelargonium will even enhance its flowering. It can also go a long time without watering. True, the royal pelargonium is an exception of its kind and in the hottest midday hours it must be shaded.
Calendula, marigold (Calendula officinalis)
In addition to the fact that calendula is photophilous and drought-resistant, it also belongs to plants that bloom all summer. Flowering period: June to September. For long flowering, wilted inflorescences must be removed.
For loggias, the undersized variety Calendula Officinalis Fiesta Gitana, which has different types of color, is most suitable. Grows very well from seed.
Calendula Officinalis Fiesta Gitana
Petunia (Petunia)
Decorating a balcony with these bright light-loving flowers is one of the most popular and proven ideas to date. As for drought resistance, in the conditions of a hot summer on the south side, they require moist soil, frequent watering (about 2 times a day!). To reduce the need for frequent watering, you need to pick up deep boxes and mix hydrogel into the soil.
Purslane (Portulaca)
Abundant flowering in purslane occurs precisely in the south.
It tolerates heat, direct sunlight, does not need frequent watering, as it is a succulent plant (with stems and leaves that can accumulate moisture). Purslane flowers have a wide variety of bright, rich colors, which will allow you to create a variety of color compositions.
The most used species for growing on loggias: garden purslane, terry purslane, large-flowered purslane.
Purslane grandiflorum
Nasturtium
Flowering period: July to September. Grow from seeds immediately in a permanent place. is an unpretentious flower, grows from seeds almost always.
Nasturtium
Interestingly, the flowers of different varieties are radically different from each other. There are high-weaving vines that can be used for wall decoration, ampelous flowers for balconies and window boxes (for example, foreign nasturtium peregrinum, reaching a length of 3 m), as well as bushy dwarf varieties.
Also well suited for the sunny side: calibrachoa, morning glory, sweet pea, canna, gazania, fragrant tobacco, zinnia, stonecrop, all succulents and cacti.
East and West location - what to plant?
Oriental orientation is the most successful option for breeding flowers. Soft harmonious lighting is suitable for the vast majority of plants.
Daisies, heather of various types and varieties, calendula and are also perfect here.
If you have a loggia in the west, this is also a very good option. The sun here is in the afternoon, not as scorching as during the day. Therefore, plants that love partial shade are well suited here.
A wonderful option for such an arrangement is verbena, which has voluminous inflorescences with large flowers. It has a large assortment and a large color spectrum. But in order for the flowering of verbena to please you for a long time, it will be necessary to water it daily and loosen the soil.
A more unpretentious option for the western side is the sedium. It blooms profusely almost until mid-autumn. Also, climbing plants, such as morning glory, grapes, weaving roses, will feel good here.
Often novice gardeners wonder if it is really possible to plant grapes on a balcony and expect it to bear fruit? Yes! To do this, first of all, you need to choose grape seeds of a variety that will not be afraid of the weather conditions in your region.
Varieties that are not afraid of frost and are resistant to other features of the Russian climate: Laura, Northern and Taiga.
What to grow on the north side?
What can be planted on the north balcony? Usually, landscaping in this arrangement is not an easy task for flower growers, since the plants here bloom poorly or do not bloom at all.
Therefore, the range in this case should be selected primarily according to the criterion of shade tolerance.
Fuchsia
To bloom profusely, fuchsia does not require abundant lighting, it has enough light from the north side.
Fuchsia does not like the open sun and heat, but it really needs abundant regular watering, otherwise it will die.
Begonia
It grows well in semi-shady and shady areas, requires fertile acidic soil and needs intensive watering and top dressing.
Torenia loves bright but diffused light, so she will have the right place in the balcony boxes. Requires regular watering. The soil for threshing must be constantly moist.
A north-facing balcony is also suitable for growing pansies, balsam, violas, ivy, mignonette, nasturtium, various bulbous flowers (such as daffodils). All these flowers do not like direct sunlight and high temperatures.
Arrangement of indoor plants
Arrangement of indoor plants on the balcony seems much easier than garden ones - it would seem that you can simply transfer the plants in pots and arrange them in a composition. But it is obvious that not all home flowers will find the new environment suitable for life. It may be too cold for someone on an open balcony, and too hot on a closed one (due to direct sunlight).
When exhibiting indoor flowers on the street, you need to take into account that night temperatures in spring and early summer are much lower than daytime ones.
Many indoor flowers calmly tolerate temperature fluctuations within 15-20 degrees, but it should not fall below 12-15. It is especially difficult for plants if a cold snap occurs after watering (or rain) - wet roots after a “temperature shock” can rot.
The question often arises - when can flowers be taken out to a glazed or open balcony?
If flowers can be placed on glazed (but not insulated) loggias already at the end of April, then on open ones - only by the end of May.
There are indoor flowers for which life in the open air is basically impossible. Of course, a lot depends on the climate, but at least these plants are best left at home: cacti, violets, tropical flowers with special requirements for humidity - dieffenbachia, philodendron.
Composition for a balcony from light-loving crops, video:
Drawer selection
As for the choice of boxes for flowers, today the market provides a huge range. To achieve a harmonious combination in choosing a tone for flower containers, you need to take into account the overall style of the balcony, as well as the facade of the house.
It can be a plastic, wooden or even stone box (there are also such on the market now).
The box can be hanging with holders or a regular one placed on a stand. Now you can also buy a "house" for flowers with a special form of fixing on the balcony railing as in the photo.
In order for your flowers to feel good, the general mandatory requirements for boxes are as follows:
- Flower boxes must be durable and weather resistant. Usually, most modern plastic boxes meet these requirements (although in fact it is difficult to determine when buying, since flower container manufacturers are not required to label their products according to these indicators).
- At the bottom of the box there should be drainage holes every 20 cm with a diameter of about 1 cm.
- When watering, water should not drain onto walls, floors and sidewalks. For this, pallets with sides about 5 cm high should be provided.
You can buy flower boxes for the balcony at any garden store quite cheaply. There is a large selection in stores such as Obi, Leroy Merlin, as well as on Internet portals.
The price ranges from 150 to 2000 rubles, depending on the size and material of the box.
home garden
Perhaps, in addition to beautiful flowers that will please the eye, you will want to have crops that are useful and something else, for example, tasty fruits. Ornamental plants in combination with fruit and vegetable crops can create a special unique composition.
It is now possible to create a small garden at home even in areas with a harsh climate thanks to the work of breeders who have created zoned varieties. For a hot indoor space, growing a garden is best, as it is a kind of year-round greenhouse.
planting tomatoes
Perhaps the most popular and sought-after vegetable for planting on loggias among Russians is tomatoes. In an apartment garden, these can be both varieties with large fruits, and with small ones, for example, cherry tomatoes.
Tomatoes can be grown both by seeds and seedlings, but for conditions with a cold climate, it is still better to stop at the second option.
Tomato seedlings on closed balconies are best planted in early May, and on open balconies it is better to start growing in early summer.
It is necessary to arrange the sprouts in such a way that direct sunlight does not fall on the leaves, you also need to take care that there is no stagnation of water in the ground.
To increase productivity, it is necessary to pinch off all twigs and leaves that are higher than the fifth or sixth flower tassel. It is advisable to plant tall tomatoes at a distance of about 40 centimeters from each other and be sure to tie them to supports.
Planting cucumbers
It is very important to choose exactly self-pollinated (not requiring pollination by bees) varieties of cucumbers for your garden. It can be such varieties: Gribovsky, Dubrovsky, Courage, Sail, Cucaracha, Stresa.
When growing, it is necessary to properly treat the watering of cucumbers - the soil should always be moist. It is necessary to periodically remove the antennae (at least 1 time per week).
To increase productivity, the tops of cucumbers need to be pinched, to form one stem. Also, supports are needed for cucumbers, they can be decorated with a beautiful trellis, from which cucumber lashes will create a beautiful green wall, which can complement your flower arrangement well.
Strawberry
Everyone's favorite strawberry is suitable for growing in almost any conditions. But a good harvest can be obtained with proper planting, proper care, watering and pollination.
On balconies, strawberries are grown in a regular rectangular container, as well as in hanging pots or a bookcase.
When buying strawberry seedlings, you need to find out the resistance of the variety to diseases and the fruiting period (it is better to purchase both early and late varieties, which will ensure uninterrupted picking of berries).
The Albion strawberry variety is distinguished by multiple fruiting. If you need a frost-resistant variety, then this is Temptation strawberry.
What can be planted from greenery?
In addition to vegetables and berries, of course, you can plant healthy greens. For example, spicy herbs that you can use in your kitchen: basil, rosemary, mint, thyme and sage.
They are sown directly into the ground. You can also grow different varieties of lettuce. You can buy seeds in almost any specialized online store.
Balconies with strong wind
For the stability of flower plantings and to avoid falling, it is recommended to lay heavy stones at the bottom of containers / planting boxes, you can also fasten the boxes together and tie them to balcony railings.
You also need to consider that the higher the floor, the stronger the wind. Starting somewhere from the 7th floor, it is better not to keep large plants. In this case, it is better to plant begonias, marigolds or ageratum.
A few interesting ideas so that your flower corner can become a place that truly pleases the soul:
Any city dweller who has a balcony and a little patience can acquire his own garden and vegetable garden. With the help of florist Lalita Paramonova, we have compiled five simple rules, following which you can grow your own crop at home. In addition, we found out what pitfalls you should pay attention to, and chose the necessary equipment for gardening.
Where to begin?
Rate your balcony
For growing plants, a balcony overlooking the sunny side is best suited. All vegetables, berries
and green crops are sun-loving. On the shady side, you should not even try to grow them - it still won't work. If your balcony is located most of the day
in the shade, but you still want to green it, then choose not garden crops for this, but flowers and shrubs that love the absence of direct sunlight.
Also, it's good if your balcony is open. Glazed balconies in the sun turn into a greenhouse: it will be hot there, even if the transom is open. In this case, you will have to partially shade the balcony - hang blinds
or put up a screen. It is also not necessary to arrange a draft, because the plants will experience mechanical stress. In addition, due to the draft, there is an enormous evaporation of water, which leads to a dangerous lack of moisture.
Before you start plants on the balcony, you need to find out the bearing characteristics of the balcony and calculate the weight of the soil, the people who can go there, and the tub. Be sure to take into account that the soil still contains water.
If the balcony can withstand a small load, then it is better not to grow perennials: they require more land for the root system, which means they will add weight to the structure.
Decide what to plant
For planting on a balcony in containers or other containers, plants with a fibrous root system are suitable -
which does not have a main root. Radishes can be planted from rods, it must be sown as early as possible: either in early spring - in April, or in autumn -
in September. Radishes will be harvested in a month.
In summer, the radish goes into flowering, a lot of foliage appears, while the root crop does not ripen. However, the foliage can be used for salads, it is distinguished by a slight bitterness. It is better to choose round rather than long varieties.
On the balcony you can easily grow all green crops - parsley, dill, marjoram, thyme, basil, rosemary, cilantro. As well as various types of salads - you can plant arugula, mustard leaf, watercress and romaine lettuce.
Green peas and zucchini grow very well - the main thing is that the container is not too small, a volume of 20 liters is desirable with fertile soil.
Do not overdo it with nitrogen and mineral fertilizers: they are deposited in the form of nitrates.
The soil should be with good humus, or fertilizers containing a large amount of humates can be used.
Quite easy to grow cucumbers, hot peppers
and sweet, tomatoes, green beans - if you choose its curly version, you will also get beautiful.
You can even grow cabbage, but it needs a container about 50 centimeters deep and at least 30 centimeters in diameter. Of the berries on the balcony, strawberries and strawberries will take root perfectly.
Cucumbers, cabbages, pumpkins and zucchini require frequent daily watering. In containers, the soil dries out very quickly, and these plants are moisture-loving and have a large leaf surface from which moisture evaporates.
Their care can be facilitated by a special artificial irrigation system with a dispenser that injects a certain amount of water daily. In case of departure, you can use a special gel containing water. The gel bag is placed near the root system, and the water gradually saturates the soil.
Of the flowers for the balcony, almost all annuals are suitable. On the sunny side, low-growing bells, geraniums, roses, saplings, cuffs, tenacity, geyhera, stonecrops, armeria will feel good. Plant wormwood - it releases phytoncides that kill pathogenic bacteria in the air.
You can grow undersized asters, styloid phlox, oak sage, carnation grass, multicolor spurge - it is unpretentious and excellent
grows in a container, but it is a poisonous plant,
and if there are children and cats in the house, then it is better to refuse it. On a shady balcony, hostas, lamb, violets, astilba, primroses, rogersia, ostrich and a very beautiful tiarella flower will take root. In a heavily shaded place, it is better to plant a moth violet or wallenstein - they bloom beautifully and give a dense green cover.
On the balcony, it is really possible to grow even shrubs that will overwinter in a tub, for example, Cossack juniper:
it is unpretentious, does not get sick and is not damaged by pests. You can also get white dogwood, Japanese spirea, brilliant cotoneaster and barberry, which emits a pleasant honey aroma during flowering, and its berries can be added to pilaf.
Choose the right time
Almost all green crops and radishes can be planted at once
on the balcony, and it is recommended to sow the radish thicker
and thin out later - by the way, the pulled out shoots can be washed and added to the salad. Celery, marjoram and basil will take a very long time to grow, so it is best to sow in March
their seeds at home, and after warming, plant seedlings. Lettuce will arrange as direct sowing,
as well as seedlings.
For growing vegetables, it is better to prepare seedlings in advance and take out already green plants when there are no sub-zero temperatures - after June 10. No matter how sad
but at this point there may be return frosts that will ruin all efforts. Until June 10, it is better to bring plants into the house at night, and put them back in the morning.
on the balcony - so the seedlings will pass the hardening period and will grow better.
Seeds can be sown for seedlings from the beginning of March,
and tomatoes, peppers, eggplants - in February. For growing cucumbers, it is better to choose parthenocarpic species that do not require pollination by bees and can set flowers without the participation of insects.
Zucchini, tomatoes and pumpkins can be pollinated by hand. It is better to buy bush tomatoes, low - they begin to bear fruit faster. Pumpkins and zucchini are also better to take bush. For them, it is necessary to prepare props: the fruits will hang, and it is desirable that they be on
something lay, not hung. If the nights are cool, and there is no way to carry plants back and forth, then you can cover them with a special non-woven material. For all vegetables, it is worth choosing early-ripening varieties that are resistant to fungal diseases: in this case, they get sick in the fall
and have time to give the harvest.
Organize the right neighborhood
To make the beds even more beautiful and protect the plants, you can plant flowers in them that release phytoncides - substances that repel pests and pathogens of fungal diseases.
Marigolds have this effect - next to them, other plants do not need to be treated with chemicals, which allows you to grow an environmentally friendly crop.
Nasturtium, tobacco, coniferous shrubs, such as juniper, have the same beneficial properties.
and even tomatoes. The layout of the beds-beds from different plants will save space and make the garden really aesthetic.
Choose the right container
Wooden or unglazed clay containers that are not covered with oil paint are best suited for balcony plantings. Their only downside is
they are much heavier than plastic, so if the supporting structure does not allow, feel free to choose plastic. It is better not to use metal: it overheats in the sun, and the root system risks irreversible damage.
What should be feared?
Any pests from plants can easily get over
to the apartment. If there are indoor plants in the house -
they will stay, if not, they will die.
The most common pests are spider mites
and aphids. Ficuses and plants with hard leaves are not afraid of insects. The rest have a chance to suffer, and it will be possible to get rid of pests only with the help of chemical treatment. Remember that it can only be carried out
on the street or on the balcony, after which the plants will have to be covered with a plastic bag, tied and left closed for a day.
In fact, ticks can get into an apartment without balcony plants. They are very light and travel
on gusts of wind. Finding out about their presence is simple:
small black dots are visible on the reverse side of the leaf, and with a strong lesion, a light cobweb can also be seen. The tick is most dangerous for eggplants, peppers, cucumbers. To avoid problems with these insects, it is better to choose varieties that are more resistant to pests. There are biological products that help get rid of ticks: they contain bacteria that kill insects, but are not dangerous to humans. Preventive treatment with the drug is recommended to be done once every two weeks, and if insects have already appeared -
once a week.
Another important point: plants absorb heavy metals and other harmful substances. They need to be washed well, even if you collected them in your own garden.
But there are no reasons for serious unrest: there is not much harvest on the balcony, so products grown in an urban environment will not affect health.
What inventory to buy?
PHOTO: 1 – DementevaJulia /shutterstock.com, 2 – DementevaJulia /shutterstock.com, 3 – Franz Peter Rudolf /shutterstock.com
Decorating a balcony or loggia in an apartment with flowers is a great opportunity to make a beautiful green corner for relaxing in the city. Here you can also put a small wooden table with chairs and enjoy evening tea and sunset. Not all garden flowers can grow on a balcony.
In this article, you will learn which flowers are best to grow on the balcony in boxes.
1. Marigolds
Heat-loving yellow heads of marigolds are an integral feature of summer containers, garden flowerpots and balcony boxes. They are easy to grow from seeds or purchase seedlings, they are unpretentious, bloom from early summer until frost. Removing faded inflorescences prolongs flowering.
In addition, if you are thinking about what flowers to plant on the sunny side, then these are marigolds. They love sunny places. The only thing is that in a drought you need to water regularly, do not overdry the soil.
The most popular marigold varieties are rejected hybrids. Varieties are bushy, in this case you will need only a couple - three plants for a balcony box. To make these yellow flowers on the balcony look beautiful, choose low 15 - 30 cm species. Terry or semi-double inflorescences, up to 5 cm in diameter, are perfect for a balcony box.
2. Calendula, marigolds
A flower undemanding to the soil. These are flowers for the balcony on the sunny side or light partial shade. Completely unpretentious, can be affected by powdery mildew and aphids. Refers to plants that bloom all summer. Flowering time from June to September. For long flowering, faded inflorescences must be removed.
The initial view is medicinal calendula, for balconies and loggias you need to choose a short variety Fiesta Gitana - 30 cm, which have a different color. It is very easy to grow at home from seed. For early flowering, calendula seedlings can be planted in the second half of February.
When creating an unusual balcony design, it is better to plant calendula along with other flowers - pansies, bulbous (daffodils, tulips), ampelous petunias, ornamental cabbage, ornamental and spicy herbs.
3. Nasturtium
Annual nasturtiums are flowers for the southern balcony. Blooms from July to September. Sow seeds immediately in a permanent place. These flowers for balconies are unpretentious, almost always grow from seeds. A unique garden plant, flowers of different varieties are completely different from each other:
There are creepers for wall drapery, that is, you can pick up varieties and grow climbing flowers for the balcony;
Ampelous flowers for the balcony and window boxes - foreign nasturtium peregrinum, the length of the vines reaches 3 m;
Bushy dwarf varieties for flower beds.
foreign nasturtium
curly nasturtium
4. Petunia
The most popular flowers for growing on a balcony in boxes are petunias. Due to the variety of colors, long flowering, variety of varieties and species, they create a unique design on the balcony.
What flowers to plant on the balcony of petunias:
Ampel varieties of petunias are planted in large garden flowerpots or hanging planters for balconies, loggias and summer verandas (these varieties should be sown for seedlings earlier than bush ones - in early - mid-February);
Bushy multi-flowered species.
Beware of purchasing single-stem flower seeds; they are completely unsuitable for balconies and loggias. In this case, 1 stem will grow from a pot with several flowers on top
The scheme of planting petunias in a balcony box 15 by 15 cm. Single-row and double-row planting of petunias in a box on the balcony is possible.
How to create flowers on the balcony design:
For single row planting, plant 3 pink and 2 purple petunias, alternating in color;
When planting in a two-row box, place upright flowers in the background, and ampelous varieties in the front.
5. Pelargonium
Most often, geranium is called pelargonium, which is grown in pots as a houseplant. Pelargonium is one of the unpretentious plants in the care, it grows quickly, blooms well and profusely. By the way, with proper care, pelargonium can bloom all year round. It has a pleasant spicy aroma, which is exuded not by flowers, but by leaves. An excellent plant for a balcony in a warm period of time.
In addition, with pelargonium, you can create wonderful flower arrangements, complementing them with other flowers. Here is one of the schemes of what to plant on a balcony of flowers:
pelargonium white and red;
immortelle.
6. Nemesia
Nemesia flowers are one-, two- and three-colored. It blooms early, in hot summers flowering may be short-lived. A second wave of flowering is possible, closer to autumn. To do this, cut the stems after the first wave of flowering. If you want to achieve autumn flowering, then plant nemesia seeds for seedlings in early June, then your balcony will look great in November.
Nemesia seeds are small, so you need to sow on top, without sprinkling with earth. Then spray well with water and cover with glass. As the glass fogs up, it is necessary to slightly open it, remove it after the appearance of green sprouts.
When transplanting into flowerpots and pots, the distance between flowers is 20 cm. When planting flower seedlings, pinch the stems.
The decoration of the balcony with nemesia flowers turns out to be very delicate, due to the fact that the flowers are small, low, about 20 cm and bushy.
7. Undersized varieties of snapdragon
Usually snapdragons are grown in the garden, but if you take the smallest variety of Rainbow, you can grow flowers in a wide variety of colors and shades. Of the pluses, it is worth noting the smell of snapdragons, it exudes such a fragrance! And you need only 5-6 bushes for this.
In autumn, when frosts come, this plant freezes, the flowers do not change color and it looks great. Flowers, as if alive, stand all winter. Therefore, if you choose which flowers can be planted on the balcony, be sure to make your list of dwarf varieties of snapdragon. They bloom in the second half of summer, from July to October.
8. Ever flowering begonia and tuberous begonia.
Both types of begonias can be grown in containers and are north facing balcony flowers that grow well in partial shade. They have rounded fleshy leaves with a color ranging from pale green to chocolate brown. Blooms from June to September. It is considered a perennial, but most often this plant is grown as an annual. Grows well in humus-rich soil and in partial shade. Therefore, when planting, you need to make compost.
9. Fuchsia ampelous
There are 3 main groups of fuchsias. What flowers are better to plant on the balcony? So these are gentle thermophilic ampelous fuchsias with weak falling stems in hanging baskets. The name of the ampel fuchsia variety is Swingtime. Stems grow up to 50 cm with red - white flowers.
Fuchsias are great blooming flowers for a north balcony. They only need a small amount of light for flowering and growth. Be sure to water regularly and abundantly. Make sure that the earth ball does not dry out. After a drought, fuchsia will die and will not recover.
10. Pansies or Vitrok violet
There are many Vitrok violet hybrids 15 - 25 cm high. These flowers on the loggia are of two types:
Winter-flowering (November - May) varieties that are grown as a biennial are dominated by the Universal series;
Summer flowering (June - October), which are grown as annuals.
Viola can be grown on a balcony, but needs to be planted in a spot with the right lighting. The sunny side is best with shading at noon. On the southern balcony, it will quickly lose its decorative effect. Already in July, it will burn out, and will look dried up and unattractive.
Tags: ,lovers house acrispy cucumbers, juicy tomatoes and fragrant greens are constantly looking for new ways togrow them without extra effort and expense. And the true admirers of fresh vegetables went even further and, having neither a garden nor a dacha, learned to grow them right at home - on the balcony. Now you do not need to look for grandmothers with a home harvest in the market. By simply stepping out onto the balcony, you can harvest your own, grown without chemicals. And what kind of aroma awaits such a "gardener" during the flowering period of plants!
What can be grown on a balcony?
The choice of plants that will be happy to grow on the usual balcony of an apartment building is very large. Having thought well and selecting the right ones, the balcony can be made not a chaos of the plant world, but a beautiful and useful greenhouse. What to choose in order not to waste time and space in vain? What can be grown at home?
There are a lot of ideas:
1. Flowers. What could be more beautiful than flowers? Just a wide variety of colors. You can sow them immediately in boxes or large pots. It is worth paying attention to the period of growth and flowering of selected plants. Thus, it is possible to ensure that some flowers will re-bloom, while others will only begin to bloom.
2. Vegetables. Almost any vegetable can be grown on a balcony. This includes peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants and even potatoes. You just need to water, feed them and harvest them on time. Of course, the family will not feed on vegetables from the balcony alone, but in winter it is pleasant to eat a fragrant fresh product in any case.
3. Spices and herbs. This type of plant was one of the first to be settled on the balcony by enterprising housewives, because in winter their prices are high, and you really want to please your relatives with something tasty. Greens are used in almost all dishes, so it makes sense to grow it on the balcony.
4. Berries. Both strawberries and wild strawberries are grown on the balconies. Many berry lovers arrange entire fragrant plantations. An excellent solution for those who have babies who need only natural products.
Why and why?
Why do it? What is the difference between grown on the balcony and purchased? After all, doing this on such a small area, it is impossible to feed a family. Here are some reasons why many people think about what can be grown at home:
1. All year round you can pamper your loved ones with something tasty, fragrant and fresh. Vegetables and berries in the winter, bought in a store, cannot boast of this.
2. In order to save money. After all, fresh vegetables, herbs and berries are quite expensive in winter. Yes, and running constantly in search of a bunch of fresh greens is not always possible.
3. This activity is constructive. A person receives from him positive emotions and a boost of energy.
4. There is a category of avid gardeners who cannot sit still even in winter. Thus, the summer season will not stop even when there is snow and a blizzard outside the window.
5. This activity is perfect for those who have children. They will be able to see how the plants actually grow and bear fruit.
6. Just as an interesting hobby for those who have nothing to do with their free time.
Where to begin?
Those who have not previously been involved in growing vegetables and herbs on the balcony do not know where to start and what to buy. Most beginners have no idea what you can grow at home.
If there is no experience at all, then it is better not to buy dozens of seeds and seedlings. You need to think carefully and choose several types. You can take one representative from vegetables, berries, herbs and fruits. It is better to choose unpretentious varieties with minimal requirements. Ideally, these are early maturing varieties bred specifically for such conditions.
It is worth studying the requirements of the plant for the amount of sun. If there is not enough light on the balcony, then you will have to highlight the lamps.
The next step is the choice of containers for future plants. After reviewing the technical requirements, it will be easy to choose the right one. Do not forget about the pallets, into which excess water will drain after watering.
Another main element is a variety of top dressing. They are different for every plant.
Finally, you need to prepare the soil for planting seeds.
homemade mint
Mint is a well-known and beloved plant. It is often grown for human consumption. It is used in cooking, brewed instead of tea, and also for decoration. Fragrant greens can be grown in the cold season. How to grow mint at home to please yourself and loved ones with a pleasant fresh aroma?
It is grown in pots, boxes and trays. It all depends on how much mint you need to grow. There are two landing methods:
- Planting cuttings.
- Sowing seeds.
The first way is faster. If there is nowhere to take cuttings, then sowing seeds is perfect. Loose humus soils with an acidity of 5-7 are best suited for the plant.pHand peat soils.
For mint, a comfortable ambient temperature is 20-25 degrees.
How to grow mint at home and what should you pay attention to? She does not like an excess of moisture, especially in winter, you should not water it often. It is better to sprinkle water on the leaves. Drafts should also be excluded.
But even if the soil is too dry, the plant may die. It is also important to ensure that pests do not appear. If drugs have been used to combat them, it is worthwhile to carefully consider the timing of the collection.
Also, the plant does not like direct sunlight. For him, a well-lit, but shaded place is more comfortable.
Pepper
Bulgarian pepper is a juicy tasty vegetable loved by many, quite unpretentious and feels great on the balcony. This fruit will decorate any table, but costs a littlewait, as the first fruits can be tasted only after 5-6 monthsafter sowing seeds.
How to grow pepper at home and what is needed for this? For balconies choose early ripe and self-pollinated varieties. Here are the most common ones:
- Many gardeners appreciated the variety of pepper Patio Ivo. It is planted both in open ground and on a balcony. Its bright yellow fruits will bring joy and a sunny mood to the house.
- California miracle- An excellent variety of thick-walled pepper. The plant reaches up to 75 cm in height. Fruits with a ribbed surface, bright red color.
- Jupiter F1 - a variety of pepper that has large fruits that change color as a result of ripening from dark green to red.
- Oh yeah- purple pepper, undersized, fruits are juicy and sweet.
It is also worth remembering the mid-early varieties that delight with the harvest: Swallow, Winnie the Pooh, Gift of Moldova, Novoshary, Bulgarian-79.
How to grow pepper at home and what should you pay attention to? There are some conditions, without which it is impossible to harvest:
- Pepper loves the sun, so you need to place it in the sunniest place. If there is not enough natural light, it must be illuminated with a lamp.
- Eliminate all drafts, otherwise the pepper may die.
- Comfort temperature - 20-26 degrees, at night - 18-20 degrees.
- The soil must be constantly loosened.
- Pepper is very sensitive and prone to pest damage.
- Do not forget that the fruits are quite heavy for such a miniature plant, so it must be tied to a trellis.
There are lovers of hot peppers who will not refuse to enjoy always freshly picked peppers. With seeds, soil and a suitable container available, after three months you can get the first fruits. Bright pepper will delight not only taste buds, but also the eye. What varieties to choose? Here are the main ones that the "balcony gardeners" have already managed to evaluate:
- Peak lady.
- Curiosity.
- Astrakhan 147.
- Carmen.
- Elephant trunk.
- Sweeties.
- Ukrainian bitter.
- Twinkle.
- SuperchiliF1.
- Indian summer.
Under what conditions does hot pepper feel more comfortable? To create them, you need to fulfill a few simple conditions:
- Prepare good soil.
- Place the plant on the sunniest side of the house.
- Timely replenish the need for moisture.
- No need to stepson, then the plant will be lush and beautiful.
- During the ripening period, do not forget about fertilizer.
Mushrooms at home
Now, in order to gather mushrooms, you do not need to go to the forest. They can be grown right on the balcony. How to grow mushrooms at home without specially equipped premises?
Everything is very simple! If there is a glazed balcony, it remains to put together a cabinet with shelves and get drawers about 20 cm deep. You need to build a ventilation pipe on top of the cabinet, and place an electric kettle at the bottom. It will work as both a heater and a humidifier.
Mycelium (peculiar mushroom seeds) can be purchased at any specialized online store. Different mushrooms may require different substrates. Some grow well on straw, others are better suited to sawdust. Some add bird droppings, others add wheat. All the necessary information is on the instructions for planting mycelium.
So how do you grow mushrooms at home so you don't have to shop for fresh produce? In the prepared substrate in sow the mycelium evenly over the entire area. From above, it is sprinkled with a layer of the same substrate.
The most favorable conditions for the growth of mushrooms:
- Temperature 22-27 degrees.
- Air humidity 80-90%.
In order to create ideal conditions for mushrooms, you just need to periodically turn on the kettle and monitor the temperature and humidity.
After 10 days, the overgrown mycelium is covered with a special substrate. It is prepared from peat and chalk (10:1). After four days, the temperature can not be raised to more than 17 degrees, but constantly sprayed from the sprayer, avoiding flooding the substrate. Be sure to periodically ventilate the balcony.
Harvested every other day for two months.
balcony cucumbers
To grow cucumbers on the balcony, you need to choose varieties that were created specifically for these purposes. The most famous:
- Cucaracha.
- Sail.
- Barnaul.
- Gribovsky.
- Stresa.
- Matrix.
- Courage.
- Biryusa.
- Dubrovsky.
How to grow cucumbers at home? To do this, plant the seeds in disposable cups. Next, the sprouts are transplanted into pots or boxes to a permanent place of growth. Seeds need to be germinated before planting. For these purposes, a universal primer is suitable.
So, how to grow cucumbers at home, because they are weaving and they need to create conditions for this? To do this, the ropes are pulled in a vertical position. Cucumbers grow and gradually begin to braid them.
How to grow cucumbers at home in the heat? They must be shaded and watered in a timely manner. Do not flood plants or water during the peak of the heat. It is better to do it early in the morning or in the evening.
Bow on the balcony
The easiest and most familiar to everyone since childhood is to get greens in winter - sprouting onions on a feather. Some did such experiments as part of the school curriculum, while others watched how their mother did it. How to grow onions at home and enjoy the genuine taste and aroma of the plant? There are two ways:
- Landing in the ground.
- Hydroponics.
In the first method, a little suitable soil is poured and the bottom of the bulb is inserted into it. In the second, a little water is poured into small containers and the bulbs are inserted in such a way that only the roots are in contact with the water. How to grow onions at home is better not to read, but to try and plant.
The garden on the balcony is not only useful, interesting, but also incredibly beautiful. Any gardener rejoices at each new leaf, flower and fruit, as his achievement. All guests without fail visit the balcony and admire the harvest.
Juicy salad
You can also grow lettuce on the balcony. It is rather unpretentious, but very useful. How to grow lettuce at home on a windowsill? Yes, it's easier than ever! To do this, you need a container with a depth of 20 cm, it is better to take wide boxes so that moisture is retained in the soil longer. Be sure to pay attention to drainage so that the roots do not rot. Light, water-retaining soil is perfect for the plant. Grooves are made in it, and lettuce is sown. Then the seeds need to be watered with warm water, every day you need to irrigate the soil. When shoots appear, the box must be installed in a bright place for a permanent stay there.
How to grow lettuce at home on the windowsill and care for it? The plant is unpretentious, it just needs to be watered at least every other day and not placed in direct sunlight.
The first harvest can be harvested after 3 weeks. To please relatives with a juicy salad all the time, then each next sowing should be done 10 days from the previous one.
Such a garden on the balcony will help you eat healthy vitamin food all year round.
Tomatoes on the balcony
Most often, tomatoes are grown at home either in winter or due to lack of land. Seeds sown in September can give the first harvest to the New Year's table. So, how to grow tomatoes at home on the windowsill?
Caring for tomatoes is not too different from caring for any indoor plants, you just need to take into account some features. There are many early-ripening self-pollinating varieties that can give a pretty good crop of tomatoes. These include: Florida Petit, Oak, Pinocchio, Button, Balcony Miracle, Micron, Bull's Heart, De Barao, Carlson.
How to grow seedlings at home? For this, universal soil for vegetables is suitable. You can sow the seeds in disposable cups, before that they need to be soaked in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 15 minutes. When true 2-3 leaves appear on the seedlings, it can be transplanted into pots.
Warm water is used for irrigation. Water the plants in the evening without falling on the leaves. Tomatoes are very fond of the sun, they can be turned every 2-3 days so that all the leaves get enough light. Tomatoes are fed every two weeks with vegetable fertilizer. Almost all varieties need tying.
In fact, growing vegetables at home is not so difficult. All you need is desire and a little time. From the balcony garden, they are chemical-free and always fresh. This option is perfect for young parents who are worried about what their child eats.
If suddenly you have a question about which plant to grow at home, maybe you should try growing greens or vegetables instead of the usual violets and cacti? It's beautiful, and useful, and entertaining.
fresh parsley
Parsley is not only tasty, but also healthy herbs. It is used in the preparation of broths, meat, fish and cereals. Of course, you can live without it, but is it worth giving up such a familiar taste? In order not to run every time to the store or to the market for a fresh portion or not to use a product that is not the first freshness, it can be planted on the balcony. How to grow parsley at home and what is needed for this?
In order to grow greens, you need to have a container and soil, and you should also decide on the method of planting. The first way is planting root crops. It gives a harvest literally 2 weeks after planting. The second way is sowing seeds in the ground.
For growing parsley, almost any container is suitable, the depth of which is at least 20 cm. Parsley loves fertile soil from peat, humus, turf and sand. You can easily buy it in a specialized store.
You need to water the plant often, but without much fanaticism. Parsley loves the sun, but direct sunlight can turn the leaves yellow. With the help of phytolamps, she needs to arrange a 12-hour daylight hours. The main enemy of the plant is aphids, therefore, before planting, the soil must be thoroughly disinfected so that one day you will not find insects on the leaves.
What can be grown at home and how, we hope, is already clear.It is important to take a little time and think carefully about what is best to plant on the existing balcony, as far as there is enough lighting. If it is also insulated and there are phytolamps, then you can pamper yourself with vegetables, herbs and berries all year round.
Thinking about decorating a balcony or loggia? Flowers are the best choice! Under the guidance of some rules and your own imagination, you can create a unique flower corner in your home.
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Design Features and Benefits
In order for the flower balcony to turn out exactly the way you intended it, you need to take into account several nuances: microclimate, neighborhood, etc. When planting your favorite flowers on the balcony, do not forget about their features, because each plant requires different conditions for growth. Someone loves the bright sun, and someone does not mind living in the shade. The same goes for temperature and humidity.
It is also worth asking before planting about which plants can live quietly with their "neighbors", and who prefers to grow alone. A striking example of a "sole proprietor" is a handsome dahlia. But modest marigolds, on the contrary, are distinguished by their special friendliness, besides, they are excellent defenders of the garden from a variety of pests.
What to plant
All plants that have ever been planted on balconies can be divided into three types:
- annuals;
- perennials;
- Biennials.
From the names it is clear how each type is different. The variety of colors is almost limitless. The choice is huge, so you can plant any flowers that you want on the loggia or balcony. However, there are several nuances that should be considered when planting a particular plant. If desired, you can build a mini garden, with the help of which the landscaping of the loggia will be done with a bang. In addition, you can get a good harvest in the form of greens and some vegetables.
Sunny side
There are a lot of plants that love the sun and warmth. Therefore, for an open balcony on the sunny side, the choice is huge. This includes fast-growing annuals, for which the east side is ideal in summer.
Avid gardeners recommend planting climbing plants, such as morning glory, on the sunny side. The main thing is to properly fix the boxes so that the flowers braid the desired territory. But gardeners give the first place to the beautiful petunia, whose color range is so huge that everyone will find a flower to their liking. Caring for her is quite simple, and she pleases with lush flowering for a very long time.
No less popular are unpretentious marigolds. They, like petunias, are very diverse: they differ in height, shades and density of the flower. The rose takes root very well on the balcony. However, she needs proper fit and care. If you follow all the rules, then you can enjoy your own grown roses, which are a hundred times more beautiful than store ones.
On a sunny balcony, it is better to plant low-growing plants such as calendula, nasturtium, some types of asters, zinnias and dahlias. Bright clematis looks very attractive.
You can combine business with pleasure and plant greens on the balcony: oregano, balsam, thyme, mint, etc. If you have a closed balcony, then seedlings will settle on it no worse than any flower for a while.
shadow side
A balcony in the shade is not a reason to refuse a flower garden. Many flowers love shade and partial shade, so the north side can be decorated no worse than any other. In addition, in such conditions, you can plant indoor plants on the balcony: most bulbs and large plants like Monstera, Myrtle, Ficus and ferns.
Many people think that shade-tolerant plants do not have lush flowers, but this is not the case. A very bright shade-loving representative is Begonia. It blooms for 5 months; loves fertile and moist soil. The ampelous types of this flower are especially good. Since they do not tolerate heat and perfectly decorate shady areas. No less bright representative of the shadow is Fuchsia.
Also, do not forget about annuals that are unpretentious: nasturtium, petunia, marigolds, calendula and forget-me-nots. And if you are a fan of bright aromas, then you definitely need to plant cloves, vervain, alyssum or levka on the western side in improvised beds.
Winter Garden
The winter garden is the dream of many women. If you wish, you can create your own green corner on a closed balcony. Having even a small area of the loggia, you can place a large number of different plants, the main thing is to choose the right species and create all the necessary conditions.
A loggia or a heated terrace is ideal for a winter garden. If you plan to grow sufficiently heat-loving plants, then the space must be provided with additional lighting and heating devices. In this case, the choice of the type of grown plants will be huge.
How beautiful to put
It is not enough to choose beautiful plants, you also need to choose a beautiful container in which you can plant plants. With the help of drawers and pots, you can interestingly decorate the facade. Bright planters and art-style containers are a decoration that will not fade against the backdrop of flowering plants.
How, where and what to place, you need to decide in advance, in order to end up with not just a bunch of flower pots, but a beautiful flowering composition. Long before planting, draw a plan for the future garden on a large sheet. Choose for each plant its own corner in which it will be comfortable. It is important that the plants do not interfere with each other:
- Lianas will be comfortable at one of the walls;
- Summer plants in small boxes can be beautifully placed against the background of a canvas of vines;
- Large plants in round boxes can be safely placed in all corners;
- Cannes, zinnias, dahlias and gladioli can be distributed along the entire length of the balcony.
There are many interesting options for placing flowers on a covered balcony. Each of them can be written separately.
Shelves
A very compact and easy way to place a maximum of pots and flower boxes on the balcony. Shelves can be made of any size, and they can be placed at different levels at a distance from each other. Below it is more convenient to place large plants, and at the top it is best to put pots with ampelous flowers.
What container to use? Any. For shelves, it is better to choose oblong boxes or small planters. Boxes can be made independently, given the size of the shelves. If desired and possible, you can make real shelving along all free walls. In this case, there will be plenty of space for plants.
Cloth "with pockets"
A very interesting option for placing flowers on the balcony. Best suited for open spaces, because it looks original and attracts attention. To build this structure with your own hands, you need to purchase a dense fabric commensurate with the balcony wall and sew pockets of the same dense material onto it at different distances from each other. After that, the canvas is securely fixed on the wall, and pots or bags of flowers are inserted into the pockets.
tapestries
Tapestries usually consist of a strong mesh or numerous intertwined cords perpendicular to each other. This option is ideal for climbing plants such as morning glory, thunbergia, maurandia, etc.
coasters
An option suitable for both simple and curly flowers. In specialized stores, you can purchase coasters that have several tiers and additional guide supports for loaches.
Modules
This design most likely resembles an ordinary wardrobe, which has many open-type drawers. Despite its massiveness, it is very convenient to use, as it allows you to place a maximum of plants. So that the closet does not look like a rough and out of place design, it can be decorated or disguised.
A few tips regarding the placement and cultivation of balcony plants:
- Choose medium-sized boxes and pots: in small containers, the earth dries quickly, and the flowers become uncomfortable very quickly, large pots take up too much space and often mold grows in them due to waterlogging.
- Balcony boxes with a holder are very ergonomic in use, as they can be fixed not only on the wall, but also under the balcony “pocket”, which will save space significantly. To make reliable hanging boxes you need a bracket and the right hands.
- You can grow flowers on the balcony in summer in a variety of ways. But there are no less options for accommodation. Numerous shelves and racks that are easy to do with your own hands are very practical in operation.
- Do you want to create a bright balcony, unlike anything else? Then you need to decorate your balcony. This can be done not only through flowers, but also with the help of containers for them. Make diverse shelves or purchase multi-tiered coasters and plant in them a mixture of the brightest ampel plants coexisting with each other that have a lush “hair”.
- Do you want to make drawers and shelves yourself? Then do not forget about their safety. Before you start using them, cover every centimeter with a protective layer of special impregnation or ordinary paint.
- For shelves and drawers, choose a shade of paint that is much lighter than the color of the flowers, or something neutral. The ideal option is all shades of green. With the help of a similar trick, boxes can be easily hidden against the backdrop of flowering greenery.
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Do what you love without haste and with special attention, and let your home flower garden please you and passers-by.
Care
In order for the flower garden to please you every day, you need to properly and timely care for it:
- Watering. The main point in the cultivation of any plant. On the sunny side, flowers need more moisture than shade-loving counterparts. If the balcony is on the north side, then certain types of flowers can do without watering. It is also worth considering the type of balcony: on an open balcony in cloudy weather, flowers are not watered, and in a glazed one, watering is simply necessary no matter what happens outside.
- Fertilizer. Each species requires its own rate and type of feeding. But all flowers have one thing in common: you need to add fertilizer only in the afternoon, when the activity of the sun decreases. But it is best to feed the flowers on cloudy days.
- Protection. Insects are the main enemies of any flower garden, regardless of its location. It is very important from time to time to carry out the prevention of infection with the help of special means.
- Microclimate. If everything is clear with an open balcony (the temperature on it is the same as on the street), then with the loggia the situation is completely different. The temperature in the glazed flower garden in the summer heats up significantly, so you can grow indoor plants and even flowers from the southern countries there. They need special and thorough care, because even the slightest failure in temperature or humidity can destroy the plant.
Follow the simple rules and enjoy your successes.
Often, gardeners and gardeners create real masterpieces on their balconies and loggias. What is the secret of their success? The thing is that they correctly select plants, combining horizontal and vertical arrangement.
