Complete Guide to Growing Vegetables on Balconies
Core introduction: This article introduces the basics of growing fruits and vegetables on balconies. Let's dive into the details provided by the editor.
1. Choosing Vegetables Based on Orientation
What to grow on the balcony depends on personal preferences and needs, as well as the environmental conditions suitable for growing vegetables. Generally, if space allows, most vegetables and fruits can be grown on the balcony. The environmental conditions of the balcony mainly refer to the orientation and whether the balcony is enclosed. The orientation determines the lighting conditions, while the enclosure situation determines the temperature conditions. Fully enclosed balconies have higher temperatures in winter and are less restricted by temperature, offering a wider range of vegetables that can be grown throughout the year. Semi-enclosed or unenclosed balconies have lower temperatures in winter, making it generally unsuitable for growing vegetables, and attention should be paid to shading protection for vegetables in the summer due to high temperatures from direct sunlight.
More importantly, the orientation of the balcony is crucial. When temperature permits, vegetables should be chosen based on the balcony's orientation.
Balconies facing south have full-day sunlight and good ventilation, making them the most ideal for growing vegetables. Almost all vegetables grow best in full sunlight, so they can generally be grown on south-facing balconies throughout the year, such as cucumbers, bitter gourds, tomatoes, green beans, daylilies, Malan spinach, mustard greens, zucchinis, bell peppers, lettuces, and scallions. In addition, aquatic vegetables like lotus roots, water chestnuts, and water caltrops are also suitable for planting on south-facing balconies. In winter, most areas of south-facing balconies can receive direct sunlight, and with simple insulation equipment set up, it can also create a good environment for growing vegetables.
Balconies facing east or west have half-day sunlight and are suitable for growing vegetables that enjoy light and can tolerate shade, such as onions, oil mustard, rapeseed, scallions, luffas, coriander, radishes, etc. However, the western exposure of west-facing balconies in the summer can lead to high temperatures, causing sunscald on some vegetables, resulting in leaf drop or even death. It is therefore best to plant heat-tolerant vines in the corners of the balcony. In the summer, it is also necessary to protect against the strong reflected light and radiation from the buildings behind.
Balconies facing north have almost no sunlight throughout the day and offer the smallest range of vegetable choices. Vegetables that can tolerate shade should be selected, such as lettuces, scallions, asparagus, Chinese toon, dandelions, and Malan spinach. In the summer, protection should also be taken against the strong reflected light and radiation from the buildings behind.
Tips 1: What Vegetables Can Be Grown on the Balcony?
Which Vegetables Are Best Suited for Balcony Planting?
Fast-growing vegetables with short cycles: rapeseed, garlic sprouts, seedlings, mustard greens, Napa cabbage, oil mustard
Vegetables with long harvest periods: tomatoes, peppers, scallions, coriander, cilantro, onions, etc.
Space-saving vegetables: carrots, radishes, lettuces, onions, ginger, cilantro
Easy-to-grow vegetables: bitter gourds, carrots, ginger, onions, lettuce, Pak Choi
Beginners should choose easy-to-grow vegetables or fast-growing ones. For example, Napa cabbage and oil mustard are fast-growing vegetables that can be planted throughout the year and harvested in about five to six weeks. Bitter gourds, onions, and ginger are adaptable and have a special smell that deters insects, making them grow well without the need for pesticides or fertilizers.
Where to buy seeds and seedlings?
Seeds or seedlings can usually be found at farms, gardening stores, flower markets, vegetable markets, agricultural markets, and seed stores.
Foreign seed companies have long noticed the market for home vegetable gardening and continue to cultivate various dwarf and mini varieties of vegetables to suit small-space planting. There are few such dwarf and mini varieties in the domestic market, but with more people enjoying home vegetable gardening, it is believed that there will be more of these types of seeds available for us to choose from.
Tips 2: What Containers to Use for Growing Vegetables?
Almost any type of container can be used to grow vegetables as long as it is sturdy, provides enough space, and has drainage channels. In addition to traditional pots and trays, many everyday items can be repurposed, such as plastic basins, buckets, flower boxes, troughs, wooden boxes, galvanized iron boxes, plastic boxes, earthenware, food cans, even bathtubs, tires, and burlap bags can be used. However, no matter what container is chosen, it must have drainage holes at the bottom to ensure proper drainage.
Pots, buckets, boxes, earthenware, baskets, kettles, and other everyday items can be used to grow vegetables.
Root vegetables like potatoes can be grown in bags.
Scallions, garlic, and leek seedlings can be grown in roasting pans.
Tires and burlap bags are also good containers for growing vegetables.
Drainage holes are essential for growing vegetables in any container to ensure proper drainage. Poor drainage can cause root suffocation and rot, while too much drainage can cause the plant to dehydrate and die. Professional containers bought from the market have drainage holes at the bottom. For containers repurposed from everyday items, you will need to drill drainage holes yourself, usually by drilling several 0.5-1 cm diameter holes evenly around the bottom.
To prevent soil from washing away when watering, you can use "pot padding," which involves covering the drainage holes with broken pot pieces, tiles, or window screens to keep the holes clear. To promote drainage, you can place some coarse sand or small stones on top of the padding material.
For climbing plants like cucumbers and green beans, you can install a "cage" in the pot for support.
Material
Generally, terra cotta and wooden containers have faster drainage than plastic containers and require more watering. Avoid placing plastic containers near windows as they are lightweight and can be blown over by the wind. Do not use wood treated with high pressure, as the process involves adding chemical preservatives, which can be toxic to plants. If making your own wooden containers, it is best to use corrosion-resistant wood such as pine or cedar.
Color
Containers should be used with caution in black, as black absorbs heat and may damage plant roots. If black containers are chosen, it is best to paint them with a lighter color or shade them to avoid direct sunlight.
Size
The size of the container is important. It is better to choose a larger container as it provides more room for fertilizer and retains more water, which is beneficial in the summer. Tomatoes, peppers, and green beans require larger containers, usually about 15-20 liters. When buying seeds or seedlings, it is best to consult with the seller about the size of the container needed, as well as how to water and fertilize.
Tips 3: Soil and Fertilizer
Soilless Culture
Soilless culture refers to the technique of growing plants using substrates (including rock wool, peat, vermiculite, perlite, bark, sawdust, and water) and nutrient solutions instead of soil. Soilless culture has fast growth, high yield, and good quality, with fewer diseases and pests, and is clean and tidy. It only requires watering with nutrient solution, making management very convenient.
Soil Culture Using Potting Soil
Home vegetable gardening can also adopt soil culture. Soil culture has its advantages compared to soilless culture, such as strong buffering capacity for pH, good water and nutrient retention, and the activity of beneficial bacteria that is conducive to plant growth. Home vegetable gardening usually uses organic potting soil, which can be purchased at agricultural markets and selected according to the type of vegetables.
What is potting soil? What are the types of potting soil?
Potting soil is a type of soil specifically formulated to contain rich nutrients, good drainage, and aeration, and the ability to retain moisture and fertilizer, without cracking when dry or sticking when wet, and without forming a crust after watering.
There are many types of potting soil, with the following commonly used:
Leaf Mold
Leaf mold is made from decomposed leaves, withered grass, vegetable peels, etc. These materials are stacked in a pit, layered with garden soil, and some animal or poultry manure is sprinkled between the layers. After stacking several layers, the top is covered with soil and left to decompose for more than half a year. The decomposed leaves are then mixed with garden soil, sieved, dried, and stored for use. This type of soil is rich in humus and has excellent physical properties, good for retaining fertilizer and drainage, and is loose and slightly acidic.
Manure Soil
Manure soil is made from animal manure such as cow dung, horse dung, pig dung, sheep dung, poultry manure, and soil and weeds that have been堆积 and fermented. After fermentation, it should also be dried and sieved before use. It contains nutrients and humus.
Garden Soil and Field Mud
Garden soil and field mud refer to the surface soil in gardens or fields, which is the mature soil for growing crops,堆积, exposed to the sun, and then stored indoors for use.
Pond Mud
Pond mud is commonly used in the south. It is made by digging out pond mud and forming it into thin slabs, which are dried and stored for use. When used, the slabs are broken into small pieces. Its advantage is that it is rich in nutrients and has good drainage, and is neutral or slightly alkaline.
Rice Husk Ash
Rice husk ash is mainly made from burned rice husks or straw and is also known as plant ash. It loosens the soil and is beneficial for drainage, contains potassium fertilizer, and is slightly alkaline.
Yellow Sand
Yellow sand is generally used as a soil amendment for drainage and aeration and needs to be rinsed with clean water to remove salt before use.
Sawdust
Sawdust is stacked and fermented, then mixed with soil to make the potting soil loose and have good water retention. It is a newly developed type of potting soil material.
Brick Residue
Brick residue is made by crushing tiles or bricks and is good for drainage and aeration but lacks nutrients.
Garbage Soil
Garbage soil, also known as "resurrection soil," is made from waste soil after potting and then supplemented with manure. After the soil is decomposed, it is sieved, dried, and stored for use.
How to Prepare Potting Soil?
Due to the different nutrient requirements, pH tolerance, and drainage and aeration needs of various plants, the proportion of the ingredients in the potting soil also varies. The basic requirements for potting soil should follow these principles:
① Have an appropriate proportion of nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other trace elements.
② Require loose, well-ventilated, and well-drained soil.
③ Free from harmful pests and diseases and other harmful substances that can damage plant growth, such as insect larvae.
④ Remove weeds, stones, and other debris, sieve and消毒 generally, such as sun exposure or heat baking.
The above shares the complete guide to growing vegetables on balconies (all-in-one) for your comprehensive understanding and reference!