What can be grown at home? Garden on the balcony. What flowers to plant on the balcony: description and photos of common varieties What plants can be grown on the balcony

Thinking about decorating a balcony or loggia? Flowers - the best solution! Under the guidance of some rules and your own imagination, you can create a unique flower corner in your home.

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Design Features and Benefits

In order for the flower balcony to turn out exactly the way you intended it, you need to take into account several nuances: microclimate, neighborhood, etc. When planting your favorite flowers on the balcony, do not forget about their features, because each plant requires different conditions for growth. Someone loves the bright sun, and someone does not mind living in the shade. The same goes for temperature and humidity.

It is also worth asking before planting about which plants can live quietly with their "neighbors", and who prefers to grow alone. A striking example of a "sole proprietor" is a handsome dahlia. But modest marigolds, on the contrary, are distinguished by their special friendliness, besides, they are excellent defenders of the garden from a variety of pests.

What to plant

All plants that have ever been planted on balconies can be divided into three types:

• annuals;
• perennials;
• Biennials.

From the names it is clear how each type is different. The variety of colors is almost limitless. The choice is huge, so you can plant any flowers that you want on the loggia or balcony. However, there are several nuances that should be considered when planting a particular plant. If desired, you can build a mini garden, with the help of which the landscaping of the loggia will be done with a bang. In addition, you can get a good harvest in the form of greens and some vegetables.

Sunny side

There are a lot of plants that love the sun and warmth. Therefore, for open balcony on the sunny side, the choice is huge. This includes fast-growing annuals, for which the east side is ideal in summer.

Avid gardeners recommend planting climbing plants, such as morning glory, on the sunny side. The main thing is to properly fix the boxes so that the flowers braid the desired territory. But gardeners give the first place to the beautiful petunia, whose color range is so huge that everyone will find a flower to their liking. Caring for her is quite simple, and she pleases with lush flowering for a very long time.

No less popular are unpretentious marigolds. They, like petunias, are very diverse: they differ in height, shades and density of the flower. The rose takes root very well on the balcony. However, she needs proper fit and care. If you follow all the rules, then you can enjoy your own grown roses, which are a hundred times more beautiful than store ones.

On a sunny balcony, it is better to plant low-growing plants such as calendula, nasturtium, some types of asters, zinnias and dahlias. Bright clematis looks very attractive.

You can combine business with pleasure and plant greens on the balcony: oregano, balsam, thyme, mint, etc. If you have a closed balcony, then seedlings will settle on it no worse than any flower for a while.

shadow side

A balcony in the shade is not a reason to refuse a flower garden. Many flowers love shade and partial shade, so the north side can be decorated no worse than any other. In addition, in such conditions, you can plant indoor plants on the balcony: most bulbs and large plants like Monstera, Myrtle, Ficus and ferns.

Many people think that shade-tolerant plants do not have lush flowers, but this is not the case. A very bright shade-loving representative is Begonia. It blooms for 5 months; loves fertile and moist soil. The ampelous types of this flower are especially good. Since they do not tolerate heat and perfectly decorate shady areas. No less bright representative of the shadow is Fuchsia.

Also, do not forget about annuals that are unpretentious: nasturtium, petunia, marigolds, calendula and forget-me-nots. And if you are a fan of bright aromas, then you definitely need to plant cloves, vervain, alyssum or levka on the western side in improvised beds.

Winter Garden

The winter garden is the dream of many women. If you wish, you can create your own green corner on a closed balcony. Even having a small area of ​​​​the loggia, you can place a large number of different plants, the main thing is to choose correct views and create all the necessary conditions.

A loggia or a heated terrace is ideal for a winter garden. If you plan to grow sufficiently heat-loving plants, then the space must be provided with additional lighting and heating devices. In this case, the choice of the type of grown plants will be huge.

How beautiful to put

Few choose beautiful plants, you still need to pick up a beautiful container in which you can plant plants. With the help of drawers and pots, you can interestingly decorate the facade. Bright planters and art-style containers are a decoration that will not fade against the backdrop of flowering plants.

How, where and what to place, you need to decide in advance, in order to end up with not just a bunch of flower pots, but a beautiful flowering composition. Long before planting, draw a plan for the future garden on a large sheet. Choose for each plant its own corner in which it will be comfortable. It is important that the plants do not interfere with each other:

• Lianas will be comfortable at one of the walls;
• Summer plants in small boxes can be beautifully placed against the background of a canvas of vines;
• Large plants in round boxes can be safely placed in all corners;
• Cannes, zinnias, dahlias and gladioli can be distributed along the entire length of the balcony.

There are many interesting options for placing flowers on a covered balcony. Each of them can be written separately.

Shelves

A very compact and easy way to place a maximum of pots and flower boxes on the balcony. Shelves can be made of any size, and they can be placed at different levels at a distance from each other. Below it is more convenient to place large plants, and at the top it is best to put pots with ampelous flowers.

What container to use? Any. For shelves, it is better to choose oblong boxes or small planters. Boxes can be made independently, given the size of the shelves. If desired and possible, you can make real shelving along all free walls. In this case, there will be plenty of space for plants.

Cloth "with pockets"

Highly interesting option placing flowers on the balcony. Best suited for open spaces, because it looks original and attracts attention. To build this design with your own hands, you need to purchase a dense canvas commensurate with the balcony wall and sew pockets of the same dense material onto it at different distances from each other. After that, the canvas is securely fixed on the wall, and pots or bags of flowers are inserted into the pockets.

tapestries

Tapestries usually consist of a strong mesh or numerous intertwined cords perpendicular to each other. This option is ideal for climbing plants such as morning glory, thunbergia, maurandia, etc.

coasters

An option suitable for both simple and curly flowers. In specialized stores, you can purchase coasters that have several tiers and additional guide supports for loaches.

Modules

This design most likely resembles an ordinary wardrobe, which has many drawers. open type. Despite its massiveness, it is very convenient to use, as it allows you to place a maximum of plants. So that the closet does not look like a rough and out of place design, it can be decorated or disguised.

A few tips regarding the placement and cultivation of balcony plants:

• Choose medium-sized boxes and pots: in small containers, the earth dries quickly, and the flowers become uncomfortable very quickly, large pots take up too much space and often mold grows in them due to waterlogging.
• Balcony boxes with a holder are very ergonomic in use, as they can be fixed not only on the wall, but also under the balcony “pocket”, which will save space significantly. To make reliable hanging boxes you need a bracket and the right hands.
• You can grow flowers on the balcony in summer with the most different ways. But there are no less options for accommodation. Numerous shelves and racks that are easy to do with your own hands are very practical in operation.
• Do you want to create a bright balcony, unlike anything else? Then you need to decorate your balcony. This can be done not only through flowers, but also with the help of containers for them. Make diverse shelves or purchase multi-tiered coasters and plant in them a mixture of the brightest ampel plants coexisting with each other that have a lush "hair".
• Do you want to make drawers and shelves yourself? Then do not forget about their safety. Before using them, cover every centimeter protective layer special impregnation or ordinary paint.
• For shelves and drawers, choose a shade of paint that is much lighter than the color of the flowers, or something neutral. The ideal option is all shades of green. With the help of a similar trick, boxes can be easily hidden against the backdrop of flowering greenery.

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Do what you love without haste and with special attention, and let your home flower garden please you and passers-by.

Care

In order for the flower garden to please you every day, you need to properly and timely care for it:

1. Watering. The main point in the cultivation of any plant. On the sunny side, flowers need more moisture than shade-loving counterparts. If the balcony is on the north side, then certain types flowers can do without watering. It is also worth considering the type of balcony: on an open balcony in cloudy weather, flowers are not watered, and in a glazed one, watering is simply necessary no matter what happens outside.
2. Fertilizer. Each species requires its own rate and type of feeding. But all flowers have one thing in common: you need to add fertilizer only in the afternoon, when the activity of the sun decreases. But it is best to feed the flowers on cloudy days.
3. Protection. Insects are the main enemies of any flower garden, regardless of its location. It is very important from time to time to carry out the prevention of infection with the help of special means.
4. Microclimate. If everything is clear with an open balcony (the temperature on it is the same as on the street), then with the loggia the situation is completely different. The temperature in the glazed flower garden in the summer heats up significantly, so you can grow indoor plants and even flowers from southern countries. They need special and thorough care, because even the slightest failure in temperature or humidity can destroy the plant.

Observe simple rules and rejoice in your success.

Often, gardeners and gardeners create real masterpieces on their balconies and loggias. What is the secret of their success? The thing is that they correctly select plants, combining horizontal and vertical arrangement.

What flowers can be planted on the balcony so that you can admire its view in spring, summer and autumn? A similar question is asked by everyone who wants to turn a plot of their home into a small but very beautiful garden. The article will discuss which plants are suitable for growing on the north side of the building, and which ones on the south. Photos with the corresponding titles are attached.

To get the desired result, it is necessary to take into account:

1. On which side of the building is the balcony located - on the south, that is, sunny or on the north, that is, shaded.
2. What area does the balcony occupy - is it small or large.
3. Glazed balcony or not.

Attention! In the case of an open balcony, it is imperative to take into account the strength of the wind. Not all plants endure strong gusts.

If we talk about general principles landscaping, then there are two of them:

• horizontal;
• vertical.

Flowers on the balcony

The first involves decorating the balcony with long horizontal lines, consisting of containers with flowers. The structure is located both on the outside and on the inside of the balcony. Containers can be installed directly on the floor, or can be attached to the walls one above the other. With vertical gardening, flowerpots are installed on the floor of the balcony. Supports are attached to them, along which the stems of plants will rise.

Advice. As vertical gardeners, it is better to use annual vines. They grow quickly and can be easily guided.

Before planting plants, appropriate preparation of containers is required:

1. Flower containers are securely attached to the balcony railing or placed on the floor.
2. To prevent water from running off the balcony during irrigation, pallets are installed under each container.
3. The bottom of the containers is covered with drainage material.
4. Pour nutrient soil into containers.

Only after completing the above work, you can proceed to the selection and planting of flowers.

What plants are suitable for landscaping a balcony if the side is sunny

For balconies that are heavily illuminated by the sun, that is, located on the south side of the building, flowers that can tolerate heat and direct sunlight are suitable.

Examples of some of them:

• Purslane - the plant blooms well only in strong sunlight. Its fleshy leaves accumulate moisture in reserve, so the flower does not need frequent watering.

Purslane

• Calendula - also refers to lovers of the sun. There are many varieties and hybrids of various shades of red and yellow with single and double flower forms. You can always pick suitable option this plant.
• Geranium is a common indoor pet feels great on sunny balconies. Here you can plant almost all its varieties.

Geranium

• Petunia - a huge variety of species allows you to create beautiful compositions. For good growth and flowering is desirable to water twice a day.
• Verbena - the flower is not afraid of frost, so planted on open air it can be done at the beginning of May. For balcony gardening, it is recommended to use Canadian and hybrid verbena. The shoots of these varieties reach 30 cm and hang from the pot in a beautiful cascade.
• Alyssum honey - the aroma of small, very delicate flowers resembles the smell of honey. Growing strongly in a pot, the plant is able to form bushes in the shape of a ball. When flowering fades, the stems are cut in half. After a while, the regrown shoots are again densely covered with flowers.

Alyssum honey

• Lobelia - although this delicate flower loves light, it is better to place it in the depths of the balcony. Ampel varieties of hanging lobelia are most suitable. It blooms very profusely all summer.

Advice. On balconies on the sunny side, it is better to pick up containers with light walls. This will prevent overheating of the soil.

What plants will be good on the balconies on the north side

On the north side of the buildings there is a lack of lighting, which some plants do not tolerate. Here, for landscaping balconies, flowers should be selected with great care. The following plants tolerate shading normally:

• Fuchsia - hope for her abundant flowering on the northern balconies is not worth it. However, the plant intensively increases its green mass and forms a lush bush. The main thing is to organize regular watering, preventing the soil from drying out.

Fuchsia

• Mimulus - thanks to the petals stretched forward, the people call him "lip". The plant feels great in the shade and has a fast growing season - about two months pass from the moment of sowing to flowering.
• Calceolaria is a very interesting shade-tolerant plant with yellow-brown speckled flowers. The leaves do not tolerate water, so the plant is best grown on glazed balconies and watered very carefully.
• Waller's balsam is a plant with thick, fleshy stems and flowers of various colors. At the slightest frost, it dies, so it is planted on open balconies as late as possible.

Balsam Waller

• Marigolds - these flowers are striking in variety. There are high, medium and low varieties. The former are best placed on the floor of the balcony, and the latter on the sides of its fences. Plants bloom from summer to late autumn.
• Periwinkle is an evergreen perennial. Its creeping stems are covered with delicate blue flowers in May. Dark green glossy leaves can decorate the balcony all year round.
• Fragrant tobacco - the plant is a close relative of the petunia, but it tolerates shading absolutely normally.

Fragrant tobacco

The same flowers can be used for landscaping balconies, which are located on the western side of the house.

How to arrange a balcony with flowers

By following some simple rules, you can achieve harmonious combination various plants.

Advice. To make the flowers look lush and beautiful during hot periods, you need to add a little hydrogel to the containers with soil.

With a competent approach to landscaping a balcony, you can enjoy the environment of your own grown flowering pets from early spring until late autumn.

Growing flowers on the balcony: video

With the onset of cold weather on the balconies it becomes boring and deserted. Summer plants have faded and only empty pots remind of greenery. But this is not a reason to leave the balcony until spring, you can equip a winter garden and admire its beauty in severe cold. It is unlikely that it will be possible to equip a winter garden on an open balcony if it is located in a cold climate zone. The maximum that can be done is to decorate it with spruce compositions. But on closed, glazed loggias, there are much more opportunities. Snow does not cover them. The temperature may fluctuate. If behind the glass the thermometer drops to minus 10 °, it will be positive on the balcony. When there is a severe frost on the street up to 25 - 30 °, the temperature on the insulated balcony will be up to minus 5 °. There are plant species that do well in this temperature regime.

Winter plants for the balcony

Winter plants for the balcony should be selected depending on your location, climatic conditions and conditions of detention.

Citrus fruits can winter at a temperature of + 7 °.
Cacti are very adaptable plants. They can tolerate not only drought, but most species feel good at a temperature of +5, and some of them are not even afraid of frost.
Plants such as laurel, pelargonium (geranium), fuchsia, hydrangea, chrysanthemums, boxwood are adapted for temperatures of + 5-6 °.
Camellias can become a decoration of the balcony in winter, they tolerate temperatures down to minus 5 °. The ideal conditions for her are a balcony, where the temperature is from 0 to 15 °.
Coniferous plants araucaria, thuja, cypress, cryptomeria. The temperature of maintenance for them in winter is + 6-10 °.

Each flower or shrub requires individual conditions, so let's look at how to care for the most popular frost-resistant winter plants.

Heather and Erica

Heather is a low, unpretentious shrub that does not wither when cold weather sets in, and simply freezes in frost, but does not change its decorative look. Common heather (Caluna vulgaris) and Erica (Erica carnea) are suitable for balconies. You can buy a plant in garden shops or in the market. From August to November, heather is strewn with flowers, small flowers resemble bells, and double flowers resembling roses are located on twigs-inflorescences.

Shrubs are usually planted in pots, heather loves acidic soil, you can add peat to the soil or buy a ready-made soil mixture. With the onset of frost, the shrub actually dies, but does not lose its magnificent appearance. Therefore, watering is done before the onset of severe cold weather.

Erica and heather are very similar at first glance. Erica is also a hardy shrub but flowers from January to April. For autumn flowering, from September to November, it is recommended to plant Erika gracilis. The optimum temperature of the content is from 7 to 15 °. During flowering + 8 °. Erica is watered 2 times a week. The plant needs good lighting.

Related article: How to grow hellebore on a balcony

Juniper

Junipers, one of the few conifers, perfectly tolerate wintering in containers - with complete freezing of the earthy coma. Juniper is not demanding on the composition of the soil, but it is still better to add peat and sand.
Very often, a bonsai or bonsai tree is formed from a plant. To enhance the effect, they are sometimes planted on stones. The plant does not tolerate stagnant moisture, so intensive watering is not required. In the cold season, watering is rarely done.

Euonymus

The euonymus (Euonymus fortunei) can grow up to 60 cm and up to 2 meters near the wall. In winter, the leaves turn purple-red. After frost, the plant acquires its usual color. Preferred temperatures for euonymus in summer are + 18-20°. In winter +6°.
It can tolerate lower temperatures, but for this it is necessary to strengthen the roots: put a wooden plank or foam plastic under the pot and wrap the pot with batting. In summer, the plant is watered abundantly, and in winter it is significantly reduced. Euonymus is one of the most popular plants for winter gardening of a balcony.

boxwood

Boxwood is an original green decor element. Without human intervention, the plant can reach an impressive size, but skillful hands make bonsai out of it, create magnificent green sculptures. The plant can winter on the balcony, provided that the temperature does not fall below + 10 °.

Coniferous plants of small sizes

Dwarf coniferous plants- frequent guests on the balconies. By planting plants such as araucaria, cypress, yew, thuja, you can enjoy the healing tart smell without leaving the forest. Such plants calmly tolerate the temperature on the balcony up to minus five degrees.
In autumn, it will not be difficult to buy these plants in pots or tubs. Dwarf plants grow very slowly, add one centimeter a year and do not like a haircut. Therefore, some winter plants for the balcony can be purchased in advance and kept all year round.

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All this can be grown on the balcony.

Greetings, my dear readers!

Crispy cucumbers, firm tomatoes, fragrant greens, sweet strawberries - doesn't it sound appetizing and tempting? They can be grown at home all year round and are environmentally friendly, fresh and inexpensive gifts of nature. To do this, you just need desire, a little time, patience, a little money and the necessary information.

If the first 4 conditions depend only on you, then I will try to help with the last one. Today I will talk about what can be grown on the balcony.

Reasons and conditions for doing it

Now in the world self-growing products in urban areas is more popular than ever. For example, hydroponic vertical gardens have become widespread. They take up very little space and give a good environmentally friendly crop.

At the same time, in Western countries, when products are labeled "organic", "bio" or "eco", this means the following.

Products with this label are very expensive.

1. These vegetables and fruits were grown, harvested and processed according to strict environmental standards. That is, without the use of growth stimulants, synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and other "chemistry". They have been certified and have guaranteed quality.
2. The price of such products is an order of magnitude higher than ordinary agro-industrial ones.

Our niche of organic food has just begun to develop. The control and certification systems have not been formalized yet. And the price gap between “eco” products and conventional analogues sometimes exceeds several hundred percent.

Therefore, for poor Russians, the best way out is to grow "clean" vegetables and fruits with your own hands. In a city apartment for this the best place of course the balcony.

Benefits of growing your own food

1. You can provide yourself and your household with eco-friendly and fresh fruits, herbs and vegetables all year round.
2. Such products are not cheap, especially in winter period. With balcony "beds" you do not have to spend money on them and depend on the seasonality of aging.
3. Growing live plants is, of course, a creative process. It will give you positive energy and emotions.
4. Sadness often attacks inveterate gardeners in winter. They mope over the ground and their plantings. Growing vegetables and fruits on the balcony will be a great opportunity to extend the summer season.
5. Thanks to the home garden, you will find an interesting hobby, learn useful knowledge and skills in agricultural technology.
6. The pedagogical component is also important. Your children will see with their own eyes that the products grow on the ground, and not on store shelves, already packaged. They will understand that the gifts of nature are obtained by serious work.

What is needed for a home garden

Carefully select plant seeds, give preference to varieties specifically designed for indoors.

1. First of all, choose what you will grow. If you have no gardening experience, start with a small number of plants.
   In addition, pick up not capricious, unpretentious and quickly ripening crops. The first achievements will inspire you for large-scale and complex landings.

Take a look at the varieties of selected plants. For the home garden / kitchen garden, choose early and early-ripening varieties. It is desirable that they be specially bred for urban conditions and apartments. Based on your choice, and purchase seeds or seedlings.

1. Get to know agro technical requirements- for the success of growing selected plant species.
2. Choose the location of the garden / vegetable garden. At home, these are usually indoor window sills or a loggia / balcony. Best Option when they are located on the sunny side of the house. If this is not the case, you will have to use phyto-lamps for additional illumination.

It is better to grow vegetables on a wide windowsill.

If necessary, window sills can be made wider or shelving can be placed for plants.

1. Choose a container for future pets. After familiarizing yourself with the technique of growing crops, you will understand what containers they need. Some of them need space, some feel good even in cramped conditions.
   The container must be equipped with drainage holes. At the bottom of containers, pots, flowerpots, boxes, etc., expanded clay, gravel or brick chips should be poured. Containers should be in trays, into which excess irrigation water will drain.
2. In addition, you will need top dressing, fertilizers and a bucket for settling moisture.

About soil

In the photo - ready-made soil mixtures.

Prepare the soil for the garden. There are many substrates for indoor plants. They use earth, compost, turf, peat, wood dust, etc.

You can prepare the soil yourself, but it's better to buy it in the store. Such a mixture has a balanced composition, fertilizers have already been added to it, and pests and weeds have been destroyed.

At self-cooking substrate, remember that you can stop the penetration of harmful substances into products from air and water.

1. Bringing into the ground organic matter, you will limit cadmium, lead and mercury access to plants.
2. Fertilizers containing sulfur also reduce the mobility of mercury.
3. Liming the substrate prevents the accumulation of harmful chemicals in the fruits. To do this, you can apply and infusion from wood ash.

Fruits and berries

Even bananas can be grown at home.

For fans of the exotic at home expanse. Our amateur gardeners do not recognize anything impossible and grow on their balconies:

• pineapples;
• lemons;
• tangerines;
• kiwi;
• dwarf varieties of apricot;
• bananas;
• figs;
• dates;
• persimmon and other exotic plants for our climate.

If you are going to have such fruit trees and shrubs at home, remember that they can grow to a substantial size. Then it will be problematic to keep them on the balcony / loggia. Explore the possibility of growing dwarf varieties of such exotics.

Southern exotic

Stages of growing pineapple.

To grow a pineapple in an apartment, be patient, and also:

1. Buy a ripe fruit in the warm season of the year. His tail must not be damaged.
2. Cut off the tail with a knife (without pulp) and dry in the light for 3-4 days. You can eat the pineapple itself.
3. Sprout the tail in washed river sand or in a container of water.
4. After about 30 days, he will have roots. Then transplant the sprout into a flowerpot, tub or large pot with soil.
5. Remember that these fruits love warmth (desired temperature + 24-30º), light and regular spraying.
6. Pineapple will appear after about 2 years.

Planting strawberries and strawberries

White currant growing on the balcony.

It is also possible to grow berries in an apartment, these are:

• currant;
• raspberry;
• physalis;
• cowberry;
• blueberry;
• wild strawberry;
• garden strawberries, i.e. strawberries.
• nightshade;
• blueberry.

Everyone loves sweet and juicy strawberries and strawberries. They can be enjoyed from late spring until autumn. But first, correctly select and combine varieties of these crops. For growing on the balcony are the following:

• "Garland";
• "Homemade delicacy";
• "Autumn fun", etc.

Strawberry seeds "Yellow Miracle".

Before you grow strawberries, keep in mind that it is traditionally a spring-summer crop. However, breeders have also bred varieties that have completely different ripening periods. So, for a garden in an apartment, I recommend that you choose an ampelous remontant strawberries and strawberries. For example:

• "Yellow Miracle";
• "Mount Everest";
• "Queen Elizabeth".
• "Victoria".

Such varieties bear fruit not seasonally, but all year round and are not so demanding on light.

you can grow garden strawberries from seeds, but it is easier to purchase already grown seedlings. All this is sold in stores for gardeners and gardeners.

1. You can plant strawberries in any ready-made soil substrate.
2. Sow the seeds in small containers (for example, in plastic cups or liter eggplants with a cut off neck). Water well and cover with plastic wrap.
3. The optimal temperature regime for the growth of strawberries is + 18-24 °.

Strawberries are best planted in seedlings.

1. When the sprouts hatch, remove the film and put the cups in a well-lit place. When the seedlings grow 3-4 leaves, transplant them into "adult" (large) containers.
2. Note that since there are no pollinating insects in the apartment, you will have to artificially fertilize the female strawberry color with a brush.
3. This berry is warm and photophilous. When the days become shorter than the nights, apply artificial lighting.
4. Spray and water the plants as the soil dries out.
5. As top dressing, use mineral solutions with a high percentage of iron. Do this every 10-14 days.
6. During the period of active growth, the berry is overgrown with antennae. Tie them to the supports.
7. You can harvest the first harvest in 30-35 days.
8. After 90-120 days, the bushes will grow new rosettes. Thus, you can expand your plantation by 2-3 times.

Homemade vegetables and mycelium

Use only organic and mineral fertilizers for plants.

Before I talk about what you can grow on the balcony from vegetables in the summer, I will give you some tips.

1. Choose small-fruited, yet bountiful varieties and hybrids. In the tightness of the balcony, it is difficult for agricultural crops to “bear” voluminous fruits. There will be few of them, and they will ripen for a long time.
   Small fruits ripen gradually. You can collect the freshest vegetables for lunch and dinner every day.
2. Don't let the soil dry out, even when growing potatoes. In this case, your pets may lose color and ovaries.
3. Protect plantings from hot sunlight. Burns on plants will reduce the yield and spoil their appearance.
4. Don't go overboard with fertilizers. Do not exceed the norms, which are voiced by the instructions on the packaging of the compositions. In order not to burn the roots, first pour the plant with water and only then with a fertilizer solution.
5. Do not force the plants to fight among themselves. By planting two sprouts in one container, or by reducing the gap between them on the “bed”, you will not increase the yield. On the contrary, it is quite possible to lose it completely.

Carrot in the apartment

Carrots of the Shantene 2461 variety have a small root crop.

For growing in an apartment, choose undersized and small varieties of carrots that grow well in containers. For example:

• "Thumbelina";
• "Amsterdam"
• "Chantenay 2461";
• "Sophie";
• "Parmex";
• "Granddaughter".

Growing carrots in a pot.

You can plant carrots in pots, boxes, containers or plastic bottles with a cut neck. The soil must be drained:

1. Plant seeds in the ground to a depth of about 5-7 cm.
2. When they have grown a few inches, thin them out. Leave only the strongest seedlings with a step of 2-3 cm between them.
3. Do not keep "beds" in direct sunlight. The optimal temperature regime for carrots is + 15-25˚.
4. Water it on the loggia / balcony should be often. However, keep in mind that there should not be too much moisture, otherwise the fruits will rot.
5. Fertilize the soil once every two weeks with a low nitrogen percentage.
6. It will be useful for root crops to occasionally loosen the soil.
7. You can harvest after about 70 days.

"Blue" and zucchini

Decorative eggplant varieties "Mantiya".

On window sills and balconies, it is best to grow decorative low-growing eggplant varieties and hybrids with a height of 50-55 cm and small fruits. By planting them, you will decorate your home and harvest an edible crop.

1. "Pot Black" bearing fruit purple weighing up to 80 g.
2. F-1 "Frant" with oval reddish fruits.
3. Pinstripe with striped purple-white "berries" weighing up to 100 g.
4. F-1 "Ping-Pong", F-1 "Bambi" and " Easter egg", having white fruits of an ovoid form.
5. "Emerald-Ail", having greenish "berries" with stripes of a darker tone. Their average weight is 50 g.
6. "Chinese lantern", which has fruits that are similar in shape and color to a very small pumpkin.
7. "Purple ball", having small purple fruits, up to 5 cm in diameter.
8. "Mantle", these eggplants have oval lemon-colored berries with green stripes. When ripe, they turn red.

Zucchini "Zebra" is perfect for the balcony.

As for zucchini (zucchini), early, early-ripening and small varieties and hybrids should also be grown in balcony conditions. For example:

• "Tsukesha";
• "Aeronaut";
• "Zebra";
• "Anchor";
• "Belogor"
• "Video clip".

Such a zucchini is well adapted to low temperatures and drought. Agrotechnics for growing zucchini and eggplant at home is the same as in the open field:

1. For planting seeds, use pots with a diameter of at least 10 cm. For seedlings - containers, place sprouts in them in increments of 70 cm.
2. Carry out artificial pollination by hand, transferring pollen from the male stamens to the female stigmas.
3. Optimal growing conditions: keep the temperature +14-15˚ at night, +24-26˚ during the day. Best Level air humidity for nightshade crops is 60-70%.

Sweet and hot pepper

Paprika "Window Miracle".

For the balcony, the following varieties of paprika are well suited:

• "Martin";
• "Treasure Island";
• "Watercolor";
• "Dwarf";
• "Window Miracle";
• "Sweet Banana", etc.

In the finished soil substrate for pepper, enriched with trace elements, you can add hydrogel for better friability.

Hot red peppers can also be grown on windowsills. To do this, prepare a warm and bright place, as well as seeds of varieties suitable for growing in an apartment. For example:

• "Flint";
• "Carmen";
• "Rowan";
• "Spark";
• "Indian summer";
• "Bride" etc.

Do not plant paprika, zucchini and eggplant next to hot peppers. Otherwise, they will acquire a bitter aftertaste.

You don't need a lot of space for hot peppers.

1. Plant the seeds in small containers (for example, disposable cups) and, covering with a film, put them in a warm and bright place. After 7-14 days (after the sprouts appear), pierce the plastic in several areas.
2. When the sprouts get stronger after a couple of weeks, transplant them into large containers (buckets, tubs, pots, flowerpots, etc.). Do this carefully so as not to damage the root. Root seedlings by ⅓, then drink warm (30 degrees) water.
3. Then water the paprika daily.
4. This crop loves the light. Based on this, in the absence of natural light complement it with white spectrum phyto-lamps.
5. Protect paprika from direct sunlight and drafts. The optimal temperature regime for the plant is + 25-27˚.
6. Feed the sprouts with nitrogenous fertilizers, but not with potassium chloride or potassium salts (they will burn the pepper roots).
7. You can take the first harvest after 100-120 days. Pepper is a biennial. Thanks to this, you will enjoy the fruits of one planting for two seasons.

Tomatoes on the windowsill

For growing on a balcony, due to its modest dimensions, dwarf or undersized varieties of tomatoes are suitable. For example:

• "Little Florida";
• "Oak";
• "Minibel";
• "Pearl";
• "Florida petite";
• "Angelica", etc.

Dwarf cherry tomatoes are most suitable for planting on the balcony.

And, of course, the famous dwarf varietal type "Cherry" is perfect for the balcony. For example:

• varietal group "Cherry" with red, yellow, purple-brown and pink "berries";
• "Bonsai";
• "Pygmy";
• "Bead", etc.

The substrate for tomatoes is better to buy ready-made. It is desirable to choose a container of a cylindrical shape, the roots will fill it better.

1. Initially, germinate the seeds in small containers. Plant them 1.5-2 cm deep, cover with plastic wrap and place on a warm windowsill.
2. When the seedlings emerge, transplant them into a large container.
3. It is highly desirable that the tomatoes receive even coverage. To this end, hang phyto-bulbs over them or regularly turn the container towards the windows. The optimum temperature for tomatoes is + 25˚.
4. Water them carefully, do not over-moisten the soil.
5. When the bushes grow up, occasionally loosen the soil and feed the plants with mineral fertilizers.
6. As needed, tie the trunks of adult tomatoes to wooden slats.
7. You can harvest after 3-3.5 months.

apartment cucumbers

For the home, choose cucumbers of the Balcony varietal type.

In an apartment, it is best to grow self-pollinating varieties and hybrids of cucumbers. For example:

• "Turquoise";
• "Greenhouse Moscow";
• "Stresa";
• "Unfeminine";
• "Altai early";
• "Graceful", etc.

Breeders also brought out specialized analogues for growing on a balcony / loggia. For example, variety type "Balcony" marked F-1:

• "Room Rytov";
• "Miracle on the window";
• "Balcony Miracle";
• "Swallowtail";
• "City Cucumber";
• "Ant", etc.

The soil for cucumbers should be loose. AT the best option it should consist in equal proportions of soddy soil, peat, wood dust and manure compost. The earth should be filled with fertilizer. To do this, add a glass of wood ash, a teaspoon of urea and a tablespoon of nitrophoska to a bucket (10 l) of soil.

If you don't want to bother with preparing the soil, purchase a ready-made substrate.

1. Disinfect seeds. To do this, dip them for 15 minutes in a solution of potassium permanganate. Next, rinse them in damp gauze and plant them in plastic cups with soil. Place the container in a warm, bright place and cover with foil.
2. When the seedlings have grown enough (3-6 true leaves), transplant them into large containers with a volume of at least 5 liters.
3. Water the plants daily with settled water at room temperature. Also spray cucumber leaves with a spray bottle.
4. As top dressing, you can use potassium nitrate, nitrate and nitrogenous fertilizers.
5. When the vines grow, organize supports for them so that they can trail vertically.
6. The optimum temperature for this crop is +24-26˚. You can harvest after 35-40 days.

Mushroom forest on the balcony

grain mycelium.

Usually, amateur mushroom pickers grow mushrooms, oyster mushrooms and champignons at home.

1. Knock down a cabinet with shelves on a glazed balcony, put boxes 20-25 cm high there. Equip the “incubator” with a ventilation pipe with a plug. Install an electric kettle with water at the bottom of the cabinet to heat the cabinet and regulate the air humidity.
2. Mix the mushroom substrate: 15 kg of manure compost, 8 kg of alabaster and 10 kg of straw. Fill the soil with fertilizer. For the indicated volume, 0.2 kg of superphosphate and 0.2 kg of urea will be needed:

• Stir the soil in warm water, this will lead to the beginning of the fermentation of the substrate and increase its temperature to + 60-65˚. To keep moisture in, wrap the boxes with foil.
• Fermentation will go on for about 20 days. After that, you can sow the mycelium in the soil.

Mushrooms love moisture and warmth.

1. Mycelium (i.e. mycelium, seedlings) you can buy at the agro-shop. Please note that it can be grain or compost. For a balcony, a mycelium in grains is better suited.

• Take a handful of mycelium and spread evenly over the surface of the container with soil. Pour the same soil 5 cm thick on top. 350 g of seedlings will be needed per 1 m² of soil.

1. When the mushrooms germinate, the humidity in the room should be 80-85%. The temperature should be kept + 23-27˚.
2. After 10 days, when the mycelium grows up, cover the surface of the containers with special soil, about 4 cm thick. It should consist of 10 shares of peat and 1 share of chalk.
3. After another four days, reduce the temperature on the balcony to + 15-18˚.
4. Moisten the substrate regularly, but do not flood it with water.
5. Mushroom fruiting time is about 55 days. They can be harvested all year round.

Greens and herbs

Indoors, you can grow a variety of all kinds of herbs and greens: different varieties lettuce (arugula, watercress, etc.), parsley, dill, various spices, green onion etc. Spinach and sorrel also grow well on the balcony. These useful plants(real "warehouses" of vitamins) are early and extremely easy to grow.

fragrant basil

Basil on the window.

The following varieties of basil are suitable for growing in a room:

• "Citric";
• "Marquis";
• "Bakinsky", etc.

This fragrant seasoning is unpretentious and feels great on the windowsill at a temperature of + 22-24˚. Plant it in a container with a volume of at least 1.5 liters.

1. First of all, pour the soil with mineral fertilizer twice with an interval of 5 days.
2. Next, plant the seeds to a depth of about 1.5 cm.
3. Water the basil every two days until sprouts appear. Then do it daily in the morning.
4. When growing herbs on a balcony, remember that they love sunlight. Based on this, increase the insolation of sprouts up to 14-16 hours a day with the help of phyto-lamps.
5. Once every 14 days, loosen the soil to saturate it with oxygen.
6. Harvest can be harvested after 45-50 days.

green garlic

Sprouting garlic sprouts are a great condiment.

Green arrows of garlic, like cilantro, are used to make salads, sauces and marinades, added to soups and main dishes. Only winter varieties of garlic are suitable for their germination, for example, "Jubilee", "Kharkovsky", etc.

1. Any soil substrate for such greenery is suitable.
2. Select the teeth winter garlic, preferably with a hatched sprout. Plant them 2 cm deep and 2 cm apart.
3. Then pour over the garlic.
4. Place the landing container on the most illuminated window sill in the apartment. The temperature in the room should be + 18-24˚.
5. Water the sprouts as the soil dries out and feed them with nitrogenous fertilizers.
6. You will be able to harvest after 2-3 weeks.

Mint for tea

1. Mint has branched roots. Because of this, it must be planted in a wide and deep container.
2. Use a peat substrate, and any plant varieties.
3. Mint can be planted from cuttings or seeds. In the second method, plant the seeds in the substrate at a depth of about 0.5 cm, water and cover with foil.
4. Until sprouts appear after 12-14 days, moisten the soil daily. When they are strong, plant them.
5. In the summer season, protect mint from direct sunlight and keep at a temperature of + 20-25˚. In winter, organize additional lighting. Periodically feed the plant with organic fertilizers.
6. You can harvest after two months.

About colors

On the southern balcony you can grow a lot of types of flowers.

On the balcony you can plant a huge number of types of flowers. Their specific choice depends on the location of the room.

If the balcony faces south side at home, it is necessary to plant drought-resistant flowers there that tolerate the direct rays of the sun well. Best Options:

• calendula;
• pelargonium (geranium);
• purslane;
• petunia;
• aster;
• eland;
• morning glory;
• all types of cacti;
• phlox;
• kobeya;
• godetia;
• zinnia;
• dahlia;
• glazing;
• succulents;
• caliberchoa, etc.

In the west and east, the sun appears in the second and first half of the day. Such insolation is optimal for most indoor flowers. The exception is the most ardent lovers of the sun - cacti, for example. What flowers are suitable here:

• morning glory;
• petunia;
• dolichos;
• sweet pea;
• daisies;
• verbena;
• marigold;
• nasturtium;
• viola;
• peonies,
• lobelia;
• left hand;
• matthiola bicorne;
• asters;
• dahlias, etc.

Shade-tolerant flowers on the north balcony.

The northern balconies are shaded, so planting on them is the most difficult. The flowers planted there from seeds are unnecessarily stretched, bloom weakly or completely “forget” about it. Based on this, for the northern balcony it is necessary to select shade-tolerant pets. I recommend that you choose:

• begonia tuberous or ever-flowering;
• sponge (mimulus);
• fuchsia;
• fraying;
• viola;
• balsam;
• nasturtium;
• cyclomen;
• mignonette;
• ivy.

Conclusion

This is not all that can be planted on the balcony. However, within the framework of one article, you can’t list everything.

The video in this article will continue to inform you on the topic. Feel free to ask your questions in the comments.

So I say goodbye, and success to you in your endeavors!

If you want to express gratitude, add a clarification or objection, ask the author something - add a comment or say thanks!

With all the variety that is presented in the vegetable departments of supermarkets, all more people think about the environmental friendliness of such a choice. And the prices are not always encouraging - just a few sprigs of mint or rosemary can cost more than 100 rubles.

Your own self-grown vegetables, fruits, berries and herbs are much tastier and safer, because you know exactly how they are grown and are sure that they do not contain unnecessary chemicals and pesticides.

But of course summer cottages not everyone has it, and, as a rule, a city dweller does not have enough time and energy to grow a garden.

An alternative to a dacha can be a small vegetable garden on a balcony or windowsill. Of course, you won’t have to wait for a huge harvest from such a small area and you won’t be able to make supplies for the winter, but in the season it’s quite possible to please yourself and your loved ones with fresh and useful products straight from the garden.

What can be grown in a vegetable garden on a balcony?

Basically, almost everything. Most crops have varieties suitable for growing at home. When choosing, you need to pay attention to 2 points - self-pollination and size. If you have a closed balcony or a very high floor, the chances of bees flying by are not very high. Therefore, you will either have to do it yourself, transferring pollen from one flower to another with a brush, or choose self-pollinating varieties. As for the size, it all depends on the capacity of the window sill or balcony - you can choose dwarf varieties, for example, cherry tomatoes instead of ordinary ones, medium-sized types of cucumbers.

First, think about which side you plan to arrange a garden on. Lettuces, rhubarb, garlic, and even mushrooms will grow well on the shady side of the house. On the sunny side, heat-loving crops - eggplants, peppers, strawberries will ripen perfectly.

Greens and spices

It is very convenient to plant greens and herbs on the balcony. They tend to grow very fast and you will have multiple crops in one season. It is very convenient to always have greens on hand and add it as needed when cooking. You can plant dill, parsley, basil, onion, garlic, rosemary, mint, thyme, etc. Seed packs are very cheap and available at any garden supply store.

vegetable crops

Cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers ripen very well on glazed balconies. As a rule, it is better than in the open ground in the middle lane. If you choose the right variety suitable for the balcony, you can harvest a relatively large crop. For example, tomatoes of the "balcony miracle" variety. The bushes grow only about 30 cm high, but from one bush you can collect up to 45 miniature tomatoes.

To grow cucumbers on the balcony, you will need stretched ropes or sticks, since the lashes of the plant need to cling to something. But if you have a lattice, for the summer it can turn into a green hedge.

Radishes, carrots and beets grow well. They do not take up much space, which is important when space is limited.

Berries

You can grow strawberries and strawberries on the balcony. Hybrids of garden and wild berries are best suited. Low bushes, giving a bountiful harvest. And if you plant several varieties at once - early-ripening, mid-ripening and late-ripening, then your berries will be on your table all summer.

Growing edible plants at home can be a good alternative to indoor plants. Or at least a nice addition. Almost as much trouble, but what a result! In addition, some of them, such as green onions, can be sprouted at home at least all year round. And some, like mint or rosemary, are not only healthy, but also fragrant.

Among other things, self-growing food is an interesting activity for young gardeners. At least, I remember myself, and how with great enthusiasm in the 1st grade I sprouted onions at home for school lessons around the world.

Gone are the days when a balcony or loggia was used as a place to store unnecessary things. This part of the apartment, directly connected with the premises and the external environment, can be turned into a cozy corner for a pleasant stay, decorated with bright greenery, beautiful flowers and spectacular flowerpots.

There are many options for placing plants on a glazed loggia and ideas for decorating an open balcony. If you follow the advice of experts and the elementary rules for caring for plants, everything can be done with your own hands and at no extra cost.

Work planning and preparation of necessary materials

In order to independently create a greenhouse and even a winter garden on a balcony or loggia, it is not necessary to rebuild the existing area and study balcony floriculture. It is only necessary to clear the space of all unnecessary and properly plan the areas that will be decorated and landscaping. In addition, it is important to decide in what style the design will be, which plants are available, and which ones need to be purchased.

Not last role play vases, boxes, coasters and flower holders. Plants on the balcony can be grown not only in the warm season, but also in winter. Special frost-resistant plants for the balcony: camellia, azalea, cyclamens, juniper, thuja, frost-resistant roses will remind you of summer even on cold winter days.

Flowers on the balcony photo

Development modern technologies allows you to experiment without risk, landscaping a balcony. Before starting work, experts advise taking photos of the premises inside and out. This helps to evaluate the space and even design the decoration of the balcony with flowers using computer programs.

A balcony is a room with a limited usable area, but even its small space can be advantageously used when correct selection materials. Here you should not use plants in boxes of different shapes and sizes. It makes more sense to install indoor or outdoor shelves on which flowers are displayed in pots or small tubs. Plants must be selected according to the principle of addition: their shades and structure should not conflict with each other - all aesthetics are lost.

Flowers on the balcony in boxes

A great option for a small balcony is the vertical gardening method. Diversity design solutions allows you to create flowering balconies that will delight the owners all year round. You can use ampelous plants for the balcony, ivy or planters with vines. For this purpose, petunias or ampelous geraniums are suitable.

If you install special supports or decorative lattices, you can put climbing plants on them, which will twist around the rods and create a green fence or flower screen. Annuals will cope with this task: kobei, curly nasturtiums.

Flower screen from a balcony lattice

Landscaping of balconies and loggias are similar processes that have their own nuances. The usable area on the loggia is much larger, which allows you to implement more interesting ideas. To decorate the space, you can use containers that are in harmony with each other, which are easy to rearrange. This allows you to change the panorama of the view, create shaded areas or protect from the wind.

Flower box on the balcony

It is important to remember that not all indoor plants can serve to decorate a balcony or loggia. The greenhouse on the balcony is a suitable place only for undemanding plants. These can be: fuchsia, pelargonium, aloe, violets, lilies, balsams, etc.

Selection of plants according to the location of the balcony:

• If the balcony is glazed and located on the east or west side, most indoor plants can be used for decoration, which tolerate changing habitats and slight temperature changes well.
• The north side is not well suited for sun-loving plants. Cacti or succulents are usually grown on a south-facing balcony, but artificial shading is still recommended.

Flowers on the loggia photo

Conditions for creating a winter garden on a balcony or loggia

On the balcony you can not only plant and grow certain types of plants, but also create a real winter garden. True, the requirements for the premises in this case arise much more:

1. The area needs to be heated. It could be water heating along the perimeter of the walls or electric floor heating;
2. Lighting: recommended to use fluorescent lamps, which provide a luminous flux with minimal heat generation. Conventional incandescent lamps cannot provide the optimal spectral composition and often lead to burns of sensitive plants:
3. Ventilation will prevent condensation from forming. This can be achieved using a system of vents and holes or a modern split system.

Winter garden on the loggia photo

Plants used include:

• tropical: orchids, begonias, palms;
• subtropical: myrtle, laurel, lavender, lemons, rosemary;
• desert plants: cacti, aloe, agave.

Representatives of each group have specific requirements for conditions and care, so it is quite difficult to combine them. They grow and develop differently. Some need a frequent transplant, others a rare one. Large plants can provide shade for small ones. All this must be taken into account before the start of work on landscaping the premises.

lovers house acrispy cucumbers, juicy tomatoes and fragrant greens are constantly looking for new ways togrow them without extra effort and costs. And the true admirers of fresh vegetables went even further and, having neither a garden nor a dacha, learned to grow them right at home - on the balcony. Now you do not need to look for grandmothers with a home harvest in the market. By simply stepping out onto the balcony, you can harvest your own, grown without chemicals. And what kind of aroma awaits such a "gardener" during the flowering period of plants!

What can be grown on a balcony?

The choice of plants that will be happy to grow on an ordinary balcony apartment building, very large. Having thought well and selecting the right ones, the balcony can be made not chaos flora but a beautiful and useful greenhouse. What to choose in order not to waste time and space in vain? What can be grown at home?

There are a lot of ideas:

1. Flowers. What could be more beautiful than flowers? Just a wide variety of colors. You can sow them immediately in boxes or large pots. It is worth paying attention to the period of growth and flowering of selected plants. Thus, it is possible to ensure that some flowers will re-bloom, while others will only begin to bloom.

2. Vegetables. Almost any vegetable can be grown on a balcony. This includes peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants and even potatoes. You just need to water, feed them and harvest them on time. Of course, the family will not feed on vegetables from the balcony alone, but in winter it is pleasant to eat a fragrant fresh product in any case.

3. Spices and herbs. This type of plant was one of the first to be settled on the balcony by enterprising housewives, because in winter their prices are high, and you really want to please your relatives with something tasty. Greens are used in almost all dishes, so it makes sense to grow it on the balcony.

4. Berries. Both strawberries and wild strawberries are grown on the balconies. Many berry lovers arrange entire fragrant plantations. Perfect solution for those who have babies who need only natural products.

Why and why?

Why do it? What is the difference between grown on the balcony and purchased? After all, doing this on such a small area, it is impossible to feed a family. Here are some reasons why many people think about what can be grown at home:

1. All year round you can pamper your loved ones with something tasty, fragrant and fresh. Vegetables and berries in the winter, bought in a store, cannot boast of this.

2. In order to save money. After all, fresh vegetables, herbs and berries are quite expensive in winter. Yes, and running constantly in search of a bunch of fresh greens is not always possible.

3. This activity is constructive. A person receives from him positive emotions and a boost of energy.

4. There is a category of avid gardeners who cannot sit still even in winter. Thus, the summer season will not stop even when there is snow and a blizzard outside the window.

5. This activity is perfect for those who have children. They will be able to see how the plants actually grow and bear fruit.

6. Just as an interesting hobby for those who have nothing to do with their free time.

Where to begin?

Those who have not previously been involved in growing vegetables and herbs on the balcony do not know where to start and what to buy. Most beginners have no idea what you can grow at home.

If there is no experience at all, then it is better not to buy dozens of seeds and seedlings. You need to think carefully and choose several types. You can take one representative from vegetables, berries, herbs and fruits. Better choose unpretentious varieties with minimum requirements. Ideally, these are early maturing varieties bred specifically for such conditions.

It is worth studying the requirements of the plant for the amount of sun. If there is not enough light on the balcony, then you will have to highlight the lamps.

The next step is the choice of containers for future plants. After reviewing the technical requirements, it will be easy to choose the right one. Do not forget about the pallets, into which excess water will drain after watering.

Another main element is a variety of top dressing. They are different for every plant.

Finally, you need to prepare the soil for planting seeds.

homemade mint

Mint is a well-known and beloved plant. It is often grown for human consumption. It is used in cooking, brewed instead of tea, and also for decoration. Fragrant greens can be grown in the cold season. How to grow mint at home to please yourself and loved ones with a pleasant fresh aroma?

It is grown in pots, boxes and trays. It all depends on how much mint you need to grow. There are two landing methods:

• Planting cuttings.
• Sowing seeds.

The first way is faster. If there is nowhere to take cuttings, then sowing seeds is perfect. Loose humus soils with an acidity of 5-7 are best suited for the plant.pHand peat soils.

Comfortable temperature for mint environment- 20-25 degrees.

How to grow mint at home and what should you pay attention to? She does not like an excess of moisture, especially in winter, you should not water it often. It is better to sprinkle water on the leaves. Drafts should also be excluded.

But even if the soil is too dry, the plant may die. It is also important to ensure that pests do not appear. If drugs have been used to combat them, it is worthwhile to carefully consider the timing of the collection.

Also, the plant does not like direct sunlight. For him, a well-lit, but shaded place is more comfortable.

Pepper

Bulgarian pepper is a juicy tasty vegetable loved by many, quite unpretentious and feels great on the balcony. This fruit will decorate any table, but costs a littlewait, as the first fruits can be tasted only after 5-6 monthsafter sowing seeds.

How to grow pepper at home and what is needed for this? For balconies choose early ripe and self-pollinated varieties. Here are the most common ones:

• Many gardeners appreciated the variety of pepper Patio Ivo. He is planted as open ground and on the balcony. Its bright yellow fruits will bring joy and a sunny mood to the house.
• California miracle- An excellent variety of thick-walled pepper. The plant reaches up to 75 cm in height. Fruits with a ribbed surface, bright red color.
• Jupiter F1 - a variety of pepper that has large fruits, changing color as a result of maturation from dark green to red.
• Oh yeah- purple pepper, undersized, fruits are juicy and sweet.

It is also worth remembering the mid-early varieties that delight with the harvest: Swallow, Winnie the Pooh, Gift of Moldova, Novoshary, Bulgarian-79.

How to grow pepper at home and what should you pay attention to? There are some conditions, without which it is impossible to harvest:

• Pepper loves the sun, so you need to place it in the sunniest place. If there is not enough natural light, it must be illuminated with a lamp.
• Eliminate all drafts, otherwise the pepper may die.
• Comfort temperature - 20-26 degrees, at night - 18-20 degrees.
• The soil must be constantly loosened.
• Pepper is very sensitive and prone to pest damage.
• Do not forget that the fruits are quite heavy for such a miniature plant, so it must be tied to a trellis.

There are lovers of hot peppers who will not refuse to enjoy always freshly picked peppers. With seeds, soil and a suitable container available, after three months you can get the first fruits. Bright pepper will delight not only taste buds, but also the eye. What varieties to choose? Here are the main ones that the "balcony gardeners" have already managed to evaluate:

• Peak lady.
• Curiosity.
• Astrakhan 147.
• Carmen.
• Elephant trunk.
• Sweeties.
• Ukrainian bitter.
• Twinkle.
• SuperchiliF1.
• Indian summer.

Under what conditions does hot pepper feel more comfortable? To create them, you need to fulfill a few simple conditions:

• Prepare good soil.
• Place the plant on the sunniest side of the house.
• Timely replenish the need for moisture.
• No need to stepson, then the plant will be lush and beautiful.
• During the ripening period, do not forget about fertilizer.

Mushrooms at home

Now, in order to gather mushrooms, you do not need to go to the forest. They can be grown right on the balcony. How to grow mushrooms at home without specially equipped premises?

Everything is very simple! If there is glazed balcony, it remains to put together a cabinet with racks and get drawers about 20 cm deep. On top of the cabinet, you need to build a ventilation pipe, and place an electric kettle at the bottom. It will work as both a heater and a humidifier.

Mycelium (peculiar mushroom seeds) can be purchased at any specialized online store. Different mushrooms may require different substrates. Some grow well on straw, others are better suited to sawdust. Some add bird droppings, others add wheat. All the necessary information is on the instructions for planting mycelium.

So how do you grow mushrooms at home so you don't have to shop for fresh produce? In the prepared substrate in sow the mycelium evenly over the entire area. From above, it is sprinkled with a layer of the same substrate.

The most favorable conditions for the growth of mushrooms:

• Temperature 22-27 degrees.
• Air humidity 80-90%.

In order to create ideal conditions for mushrooms, you just need to periodically turn on the kettle and monitor the temperature and humidity.

After 10 days, the overgrown mycelium is covered with a special substrate. It is prepared from peat and chalk (10:1). After four days, the temperature can not be raised to more than 17 degrees, but constantly sprayed from the sprayer, avoiding flooding the substrate. Be sure to periodically ventilate the balcony.

Harvested every other day for two months.

balcony cucumbers

To grow cucumbers on the balcony, you need to choose varieties that were created specifically for these purposes. The most famous:

• Cucaracha.
• Sail.
• Barnaul.
• Gribovsky.
• Stresa.
• Matrix.
• Courage.
• Biryusa.
• Dubrovsky.

How to grow cucumbers at home? To do this, plant the seeds in disposable cups. Next, the sprouts are transplanted into pots or boxes to a permanent place of growth. Seeds need to be germinated before planting. For these purposes, a universal primer is suitable.

So, how to grow cucumbers at home, because they are weaving and they need to create conditions for this? To do this, the ropes are pulled in a vertical position. Cucumbers grow and gradually begin to braid them.

How to grow cucumbers at home in the heat? They must be shaded and watered in a timely manner. Do not flood plants or water during the peak of the heat. It is better to do it early in the morning or in the evening.

Bow on the balcony

The easiest and most familiar to everyone since childhood is to get greens in winter - sprouting onions on a feather. Some did such experiments as part of the school curriculum, while others watched how their mother did it. How to grow onions at home and enjoy the genuine taste and aroma of the plant? There are two ways:

• Landing in the ground.
• Hydroponics.

In the first method, a little suitable soil is poured and the bottom of the bulb is inserted into it. In the second, a little water is poured into small containers and the bulbs are inserted in such a way that only the roots are in contact with the water. How to grow onions at home is better not to read, but to try and plant.

The garden on the balcony is not only useful, interesting, but also incredibly beautiful. Any gardener rejoices at each new leaf, flower and fruit, as his achievement. All guests without fail visit the balcony and admire the harvest.

Juicy salad

You can also grow lettuce on the balcony. It is rather unpretentious, but very useful. How to grow lettuce at home on a windowsill? Yes, it's easier than ever! To do this, you need a container with a depth of 20 cm, it is better to take wide boxes so that moisture is retained in the soil longer. Be sure to pay attention to drainage so that the roots do not rot. Light, water-retaining soil is perfect for the plant. Grooves are made in it, and lettuce is sown. Then the seeds need to be watered with warm water, every day you need to irrigate the soil. When shoots appear, the box must be installed in a bright place for a permanent stay there.

How to grow lettuce at home on the windowsill and care for it? The plant is unpretentious, it just needs to be watered at least every other day and not placed in direct sunlight.

The first harvest can be harvested after 3 weeks. To please relatives with a juicy salad all the time, then each next sowing should be done 10 days from the previous one.

Such a garden on the balcony will help you eat healthy vitamin food all year round.

Tomatoes on the balcony

Most often, tomatoes are grown at home either in winter or due to lack of land. Seeds sown in September can give the first harvest to the New Year's table. So, how to grow tomatoes at home on the windowsill?

Caring for tomatoes is not too different from caring for any indoor plants, you just need to take into account some features. There are many early-ripening self-pollinating varieties that can give a pretty good crop of tomatoes. These include: Florida Petit, Oak, Pinocchio, Button, Balcony Miracle, Micron, Bull's Heart, De Barao, Carlson.

How to grow seedlings at home? For this, universal soil for vegetables is suitable. You can sow the seeds in disposable cups, before that they need to be soaked in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 15 minutes. When true 2-3 leaves appear on the seedlings, it can be transplanted into pots.

Warm water is used for irrigation. Water the plants in the evening without falling on the leaves. Tomatoes are very fond of the sun, they can be turned every 2-3 days so that all the leaves get enough light. Tomatoes are fed every two weeks with vegetable fertilizer. Almost all varieties need tying.

In fact, growing vegetables at home is not so difficult. All you need is desire and a little time. From the balcony garden, they are chemical-free and always fresh. This option is perfect for young parents who are worried about what their child eats.

If suddenly you have a question, what kind of plant to grow at home, maybe you should try growing greens or vegetables instead of the usual violets and cacti? It's beautiful, and useful, and entertaining.

fresh parsley

Parsley is not only tasty, but also healthy herbs. It is used in the preparation of broths, meat, fish and cereals. Of course, you can live without it, but is it worth giving up such a familiar taste? In order not to run every time to the store or to the market for a fresh portion or not to use a product that is not the first freshness, it can be planted on the balcony. How to grow parsley at home and what is needed for this?

In order to grow greens, you need to have a container and soil, and you should also decide on the method of planting. The first way is planting root crops. It gives a harvest literally 2 weeks after planting. The second way is sowing seeds in the ground.

For growing parsley, almost any container is suitable, the depth of which is at least 20 cm. Parsley loves fertile soil from peat, humus, turf and sand. You can easily buy it in a specialized store.

You need to water the plant often, but without much fanaticism. Parsley loves the sun, but direct sunlight can turn the leaves yellow. With the help of phytolamps, she needs to arrange a 12-hour daylight hours. The main enemy of the plant is aphids, therefore, before planting, the soil must be thoroughly disinfected so that one day you will not find insects on the leaves.

What can be grown at home and how, we hope, is already clear.It is important to take a little time and think carefully about what is best to plant on the existing balcony, as far as there is enough lighting. If it is also insulated and there are phytolamps, then you can pamper yourself with vegetables, herbs and berries all year round.

A balcony beautifully decorated with flowers in our cities is, unfortunately, the exception, not the rule. You can refer to the climatic features of most regions of the country. Or talk about the fact that the culture of flower decoration of balconies is unusual for us and that it is more common for us to grow green onions and other garden greens on balconies. That in the Soviet era, every citizen had to participate in the construction of a "garden city", and not engage in petty-bourgeois cultivation of flowers on a personal balcony, and even for incomprehensible purposes. And we turned this page in the history of the country only a quarter of a century ago. But how nice it is, with your head up, to admire flower oases from the street on the balconies of standard buildings! And rejoice that up there, someone not only decorated the balcony for themselves, but also gives this beauty to everyone around.

Where to begin?

As in any business, floriculture has its own professional secrets. What flowers to choose for a flower garden? What composition to make for the winter garden? What colors to choose for decorating a south-facing balcony?

Start with the improvement of the "balcony area". It could be redecorating, which will be limited to only painting the railings and replacing the flooring. It will not be possible to paint the walls, so we advise you to select flowers of such shades that will not merge with the color of the walls.

Then we advise you to decide what area on the balcony you will allocate for flowers. Do you give everything for a flower garden or leave part of the area for household needs or a recreation area? Boxes secured with outer side balcony railings, we do not take into account - they do not take up space. Do you want to grow flowers only for yourself, or will you try to arrange a balcony so that all passers-by can admire your success?

Very important! The permissible load on the balcony slab must not be exceeded. You need to be especially careful when decorating flower beds on old balconies. Therefore, do not chase after the number of pots and boxes with flowers, especially since by placing them in large numbers, you will not be able to make a beautiful flower arrangement.

When you answer these questions for yourself, the turn of geometry will come. Not a subject from the secondary school curriculum, but the geometry of the arrangement of flower boxes, containers, pots and planters. When decorating a balcony with flowers, we advise you to follow the well-known rules:

• On large balconies, you can safely combine all types of landscaping: horizontal, vertical and ceiling. Compositions that involve large single flowers (lilies, camellias, peonies) look great. Decorate your flower garden lawn, flooring from pebbles decorative fountain or a pond, an alpine slide, evergreen shrubs or special varieties of fruit trees. In a word, create! On a large balcony, it is advisable to use all its elements: walls, fencing, floor.
  

  

  

  

• On small balconies, horizontal gardening is usually used. For this light plastic containers hanging from the outside of the balcony railing, heavier pots and boxes are placed along the walls and railings. Marigolds and Chinese carnations are excellent for this type of flower beds. The height of undersized varieties of marigolds is about 20 cm, they stop blooming only with the arrival of frost. Chinese carnation feels good in flower beds on balconies. Chinese carnation usually grows up to 30 cm in height, blooms all summer. This requires pruning at the end of July. Frequent feeding is not required. Does not tolerate excess water in containers. Often horizontal landscaping is combined with ceiling landscaping, in which planters are hung from the ceiling of the balcony. Do not forget to provide convenient access to flowers for watering and caring for them.
  
  

  

  

• On small balconies, the emphasis is on vertical flower beds. Containers are installed against the wall, ropes are pulled up to the ceiling, a “ladder” is mounted from the rails or mesh trellises are installed. Climbing them, climbing plants will quickly turn your balcony into a piece of paradise. Take kobe, sweet peas, beans for planting in a vertical flower garden. From climbing plants, girlish grapes look great.
  
  

  

  

For planting flowers, use all the possibilities: boxes, pots, planters. The containers are chosen in such a way that the flowers have enough space and soil.

Lightweight but durable, plastic boxes are best used for placement on the outside of the balcony railing. It is recommended not to plant flowers in one long box - when watering, the weight of the structure will increase and the mount may not be able to cope. In such cases, several relatively small boxes up to one meter long are used.

It is believed that plants “live” more comfortably in clay boxes, flowers can “breathe” in them, and moisture is retained longer. But such boxes have significant weight, and it is better to use them for floor placement.

Advice. Before using new clay boxes, place them in water for two hours. it old way displacement of air bubbles from the clay, which is done to give the box greater strength.

Buy only boxes with small holes in the bottom. So excess moisture will not accumulate in them.

The best option is to use pallet boxes. "Excess" water will leave the box, accumulate on the pallet and create a greenhouse effect in the sun. And it won't flow down. It’s unpleasant, after all, instead of words of admiration, to hear from passers-by, on whom water drips from your boxes, something offensive: “They hung it up here!”.

Great for flower pots. They must be fixed to the ceiling or from the inside of the balcony. Planters fixed on the outside can be damaged by gusts of wind.

Feel free to buy durable boxes and pots of the most inexpressive colors. They must have the main quality - strength. You can decorate them with your own hands in any style you like.

It is very important to choose the right soil for flowers. The soil can be purchased at the store or made independently. For this, coarse sand, soddy layer of earth and humus (peat) are used in equal proportions. A layer made of an elastic napkin for washing dishes or a piece of rug is placed in a flower box, which can accumulate water, and then gradually release it into the ground. Then we pour a layer of sand - this is a layer of peat and sod land is poured on top, from which weeds have been removed.

The level of the soil should be below the edge of the box by a couple of centimeters. If you poured too much earth, water will wash it out when watering.

Important! Every year, before planting flowers, it is necessary to remove the top layer and lay a fresh one instead. Fertilizers are applied only after replacing the topsoil. Try to use long-acting fertilizers. Specify the order of laying the fertilizer with the sellers of seeds.

Choosing flowers

The most crucial part of preparing for the creation of a flower garden. Immediately pay attention to the height of the plants - it is indicated on the packages. Otherwise, tall and powerful plants will "strangle" the weaker ones. Nothing can be done, the struggle for survival.

Do not try to put a lot of seeds in one box in the soil. Grow they will grow, but frail and weak. In a meter box, it is optimal to plant up to 10 flowers in two rows. True, you need to consider what kind of flowers you plant. You can combine and plant one row of falling ones, and for the second one choose taller plants.

Given the height of the flowers, we must not forget about the color combination. Excessive variegation of the flower garden will not decorate your balcony. Check out these possible combinations:

Pick up color combinations, which you like, without losing sight of the difference in the time of flowering plants. With time and experience, you will learn how to make flower arrangements that will change throughout the season, such as tulips with crocuses and daffodils,

which are replaced by begonias.

After planting flowers in boxes and pots, do not rush to send them to the balcony under direct sunlight. Most flowers do not like to take sunbaths very much, in addition, they must be given time to get stronger first. And for this purpose, let them stand in the shade for a while. And the flowers should be watered early in the morning or after sunset, when the heat subsides.

Flowers for a sunny balcony

Sun-loving daisies are perfect for a flower garden on a sunny balcony,

calendula.

They love the sun purslane, morning glory, mignonette, heliotrope (the name speaks for itself!), sweet peas, decorative beans.

Plant Viola (Pansies) in early May

and daisies, and your flower garden on the balcony will delight you with early flowering.

African agapanthus

and Indian canna, planted in large beautiful pots, will decorate your flower garden on a sunny balcony.

Flowers for a shaded balcony

For a flower garden on a shaded balcony, choose fuchsia,

cloves,

forget-me-nots,

Tradescantia

For flower beds on balconies located on the upper floors, and where the wind is stronger, opt for begonias, ageratum, undersized marigolds, and stonecrops.

On small balconies, mainly with vertical gardening, we plant petunias,

pelargonium,

ampere varieties of lobelia,

tumbergia winged.

Plant an evergreen boxwood, and plant a ragwort (cineraria) or violets in the spring. Believe me, the composition you will get is original and very beautiful.

If you like this experience, next year try to make a more complex composition:

Success will undoubtedly inspire you, and you will want to develop it immediately. That's when the stage of the "wise gardener" comes, who knows the sense of proportion and can restrain his impulses. First of all, for the benefit of flowers and the entire flower garden. You have a small, but still a corner of wildlife on your balcony. And in nature, everything is very reasonably arranged, even if we often do not understand this and consider the existing rules cruel, according to which the strongest survive. Therefore, be guided by a sense of proportion and do not rush to plant the entire balcony with flowers at once. And do not be afraid of failures, they are inevitable in such a difficult matter as growing flowers. Failures will be forgotten, and the reward in the form of constant communication with flowers, your joy from this communication and the joy of your loved ones will always be with you. And it may well be that an absent-minded passer-by will accidentally raise his head, stop in his tracks when he sees your balcony, and say: “What a beauty!”.