Do you dream of having your own garden? Have you always wanted to create fresh green space in your home but are not sure how to get started? If you have a balcony or terrace, you can easily create a very small garden with vegetables, herbs, and other edible greens. For people who live in apartments, gardens with balconies are a perfect way to feel close to nature. Apart from this, growing fruits, herbs, and vegetables at home also give you a great feeling of satisfaction. No matter how small or large your balcony is, with a little creativity and dedicated effort, you can also turn your balcony into the vegetable garden of your dreams.Here are some simple balcony kitchen garden tips you can follow to get started.
Find the Right Space
The first step is to find the right space based on factors such as sunlight, area, position, etc. Your garden doesn't have to be near your kitchen. It can be on any balcony in your house. Some apartments will have multiple balconies, so you may need to choose the one that best suits your plants. Check to see if your apartment complex has specific rules for keeping plants on the balcony. Evaluate the amount of sunlight that falls on the balcony, and based on this, you can decide where to start your garden.
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Sunlight Classification
The most important factor to consider when creating a garden is sunlight. Study the intensity of the sunlight that reaches you through the balcony. Different plants require different amounts of sunlight. Vegetables ideally require 8-10 hours of sunlight and herbs require 2-4 hours of direct sunlight.So be sure to choose a place where it gets the most sunlight. Don't worry if your balcony is in a shady spot, you can still consider planting varieties that require less sunlight. Vegetables like tomatoes, bell peppers, squash, cucumber, etc. need full sunlight, while other types, like beets, cabbage, carrots, peas, etc., can also thrive in partial shade.
Designing the Layout
Depending on the availability of space and your personal choice, you can design your garden the way you want. For example, if you have a built-in balcony, you might consider creating a vertical wall garden. It can help free up floor space for other uses. Another option is to keep the colorful baluster basket planters, which look very attractive and save a lot of space. You will also get high-quality metal plant stands on the market, which can be used to organize your pots neatly.
Choose Plants and Pots
It's best to start with easy-to-grow herbs and vegetables like mint, basil, curry leaves, lemongrass, spinach, tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplant, lettuce, etc. Once you have established your garden, you can plant more varieties based on the amount of sunlight they receive. When planting the seeds, remember not to put too many seeds in one pot.Clay or clay pots are good for plants and readily available. You can also buy beautiful china of different shapes and colors. However, you should also consider reusing plastic and glass containers, which are a great way to reduce waste and help our environment. Make sure the container is at least 6 inches deep to allow the roots to spread. Also, make sure all pots have drainage holes to allow excess water to drain.
Choosing the Right Soil Mix
Once you have decided which plants to plant, the next step is to make a suitable soil mix. You can use a ready-made potting mix available in stores or make your own by mixing the soil with compost and coconut peat. Renew the soil mix with organic fertilizer or compost at least once a month. The floor you use must be porous and not hard enough to prevent water from entering. Don't pour too much water into your pots because too much water will cause the plants to rot.Now it's your turn to become a smart gardener and grow your own fresh organic produce. Isn't it great to pick up some veggies from your little garden to make a healthy salad? Or add some locally grown herbs to make a delicious soup? When you finally have a home garden, you won't have to wander around organic vegetable stores and pay extra cash for pesticide-free produce each week. In addition, gardening is a very therapeutic hobby that helps keep the mind happy and stress-free.
So why wait? Get your hands on the soil and start creating the garden you always desired to see.
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Here are some simple balcony kitchen garden tips you can follow to get started.
