Balcony vegetable growing methods: grow a good harvest even in a small space

To grow vegetables on a balcony, you need to choose suitable varieties to plant. Generally, foam boxes are used, and the depth should be about 15 cm. You should choose a suitable balcony orientation according to the habits of the seeds. Different vegetables have different requirements for fertilizer and water, so you should decide the amount and timing of fertilizing and watering based on their habits.

Balcony vegetable growing methods

1. Seed selection: choose suitable varieties.

If you want to grow vegetables on a balcony, you need to choose suitable varieties. Generally speaking, the balconies in the homes of people living in cities are not very large, and some vegetables are not suitable for growing on a balcony. Therefore, you need to choose suitable varieties, otherwise they will not grow, which wastes time, energy, and seeds.

2. Container: foam boxes can be used.

To grow vegetables on a balcony, you need to prepare a container for cultivation. Generally, foam boxes are used. The length and width can be determined as you wish, but there are requirements for the depth, which normally should be about 15 cm, otherwise the roots of the vegetables cannot spread out. If growing hydroponically, there is no need to drill holes in the bottom, but if not, you need to drill holes in the bottom, or drill holes in the box body, to maintain good drainage.

3. Soil: loose and fertile soil.

For growing vegetables on a balcony, it is better to prepare loose and fertile soil. You can buy it online yourself, or you can go to the outskirts to get soil yourself, taking a bag and a small shovel, and when you find a suitable place, bring some soil back; if there is a vegetable plot farmed by farmers nearby, you can discuss with them and bring some soil back; if there is a construction site nearby, do not take such soil, as there may be substances harmful to health present.

4. Sowing: both broadcasting and hole sowing are acceptable.

First, pour the soil into the foam box, rake it fine, water it thoroughly, then broadcast the seeds on the soil surface and cover them with a little soil to cover the seeds; you can also use the hole sowing method, with a hole spacing of about 3-5 cm and 2-3 seeds per hole, then cover with a little soil to cover the seeds, water a little, and wait for the seeds to sprout; some seeds can be pre-sprouted first, and then you can choose broadcasting or hole sowing.

5. Light: choose a suitable orientation.

When growing vegetables on a balcony, you should choose a suitable balcony orientation according to the habits of the seeds. If the vegetable is a full-sun crop, you can choose a south-facing balcony; if the vegetable is a partial-sun crop, you can choose an east-facing or west-facing balcony; if the vegetable is a shade-tolerant crop, you can choose a north-facing balcony; if the balcony temperature is not too high, you can choose cold-tolerant and semi-cold-tolerant vegetables.

6. Fertilizer and water: decide according to their habits.

Different vegetables have different requirements for fertilizer and water, so you can decide the amount and timing of fertilizing and watering according to their habits. Generally speaking, watering is done after the soil dries out. When the temperature is relatively high, water once in the morning and once in the evening. It is best not to let water accumulate; for fertilizing, apply decomposed organic fertilizer. You can add some things like eggshells to the soil, which can help the vegetables absorb nutrients and grow healthily.