Functional and Spiced Up Balcony Container Gardening

A balcony can either be one of several things depending on the size of your home. For instance, a balcony in a special room of a big house is reminiscent of a personal sanctuary. It’s usually where the lady of the house takes her breakfast or it’s where some members of the family escape to when they want some peace and quiet. On the other hand, for small homes, a balcony becomes somewhat like an extension that attempts to blend the outdoors and the indoors.

 

As a wing of a bedroom, a study, or a family room, one can use the balcony as an extension of the room to offer some privacy for coffee, reading, doing crafts, or even taking a nap if some blinds, billowing curtains, or plants offer some shade. Either way, a balcony is generally a small space that can be functional in a big way if the room owner or homeowner would give it a chance to acquire a personality through balcony container gardening.

What is container gardening? Simply put, it is the practice of growing plants exclusively in containers instead of the ground. That means you don’t have to till land and spend endless hours under the sun to plant. A simple container would suffice. You can actually grow many plants and herbs in nice pottery and containers.

Of course, if you’re new to container gardening, you need to remember a few things to ensure that you’ve got all bases covered.

 

Always start with choosing your containers. Pick a few big ones or several small ones to allow companion planting in the big containers and single herb potting in the small ones. You can choose the style based on personal preference but keep them functional too. To avoid water logging, make sure there are drainage holes on the containers.

When choosing the herbs, pick the ones you like to cook with, you like to eat, require easy maintenance and with appealing flowers and scent. Generally, cooks, foodies, and gardeners agree that the best herbs to plant include the mint, sage, rosemary, basil, and thyme.

Companion planting is a great idea in herb container gardening for plants with similar needs. For instance, parsley, chives, and marjoram like moisture. Herbs like thyme, rosemary, basil, and oregano prefer drying out between watering. Plants, like mint, are better when planted solo in a small pot. You can also group several solo planters for appeal and convenience.

Successful growing of herbs depends mostly on the care that you will provide. Provide enough sun, water, good potting mix, and food. Most herbs love the sun for no less than 6 hours a day, but put them in the shade when it gets too hot. Good potting mix and drainage holes in the pots will prevent the garden from being waterlogged. Use less fertilizing and stick to organic.

So, roll up your sleeves and begin the real job of herb container gardening. As they grow, pinch and enjoy them and these will grow lusher. These also make great gift ideas to friends and family who either likes cooking, eating, or growing plants.