In the mechanical rush of city life, closeness to greenery is hard to come by. Amid life’s many demands and the pressures of office work, we often forget just how important a connection with nature is. But a small balcony can become your very own hobby garden. If you have no prior experience, there is nothing to worry about — all you need is a little willpower and patience. Here is what to keep in mind for a good garden.
How to start
Space: First, take a good look at your balcony space. It is important to know how much space you have, how much sunlight it gets, and how well air circulates. Most plants do well with four to six hours of sunlight.
If your balcony gets morning sun from the east, you can confidently decide to grow flowering plants. Flowering plants can also be grown if it gets afternoon sun from the west.
Pots: Choosing the right containers or pots is very important for a balcony garden, since different plants may need different types of pots depending on their nature. You can use plastic, terracotta, cement or hanging pots — just make sure each pot has drainage holes at the bottom.
Soil and fertilizer: Use good-quality soil and organic fertilizer. You can also buy ready-made potting soil from a nursery if needed.
Plants: Now it’s time to choose your plants. Small plants or herbs generally do well on balconies — tomato, chili, coriander, mint, holy basil and aloe vera, for example, as well as flowering plants like marigold, rose and bougainvillea. Some prefer cactus, succulents, pothos and foliage plants, which can also be brought indoors occasionally. Orchids can give your home a premium look.
Watering: Adjust the amount of water according to the plant species. Too much water can rot the roots, while too little will dry the plant out, so water regularly. If you have a heavy workload, choose plants that don’t need daily watering.
Proper care: Give plants regular care to help them grow. Prune branches occasionally, and act quickly if pests appear. Loosen the soil now and then. Join an online gardening community for fresh ideas.
If a plant isn’t growing despite adequate light, fertilizer and water, check whether something else is wrong — sometimes pest infestation can also stunt growth even when conditions seem fine.
If your balcony gets sun, you can plant tagar, rose, aparajita, jasmine, tuberose, orchid, beli (Arabian jasmine) and hasnahena (night-blooming jasmine). If it doesn’t get sun, you can decorate your small balcony with various foliage plants — areca palm and money plant work well in that case.
Water your plants every morning and evening as a routine, but avoid watering in harsh sunlight. Don’t water if the soil is already moist. If the soil in the pot becomes hardened from repeated watering, loosen it by turning it over.
Choose the number of pots based on your balcony’s size — it’s best not to crowd plants together. Don’t let dry leaves accumulate; remove them from around the base of the plant instead of leaving them there, to keep both the plant and the balcony clean. If space is limited, hanging pots are also an option — choose plants that grow well and look attractive in hanging pots.
Fertilize at the base of the plants every three months. Foliage plants are occasionally attacked by disease, causing leaves to curl. If you trim affected leaves, you will need to spray pesticide regularly afterward. Follow these guidelines, and your beloved balcony garden will stay lush and green.