Vegetables can be planted not only in the garden but also on the balcony. Introducing perfect vegetables for beginners.
Not everyone can call a garden their own. But even if you only have a balcony, you don't have to do without your own vegetables or fruit. After all, a balcony is not only there to fill it with flowers. After all, in addition to flowers, you can also grow vegetables here. Incidentally, the same applies to the terrace.
» Recommended reading: Creating a vegetable patch on the patio - 5 options presented
For all those who may have never had their own garden and have therefore never grown their own vegetables, we have put together a few types of vegetables here that promise a quick and good harvest. So you see how easy it is to plant vegetables on the balcony. And if you succeed in growing these varieties, then you can also try other types of vegetables next year.
Requirements for growing vegetables on the balcony
So that the vegetables on your balcony thrive and bear lots of fruit, a few important requirements must be met. These requirements are briefly summarized here.
Sufficient sun:
On the one hand, it depends on the selection of the right types of vegetables, and on the other hand there must be enough sun. That's why only balconies facing south-east or south-west are suitable for growing vegetables.
Sufficient air circulation:
The balcony must also be well ventilated. The air must not be stagnant and must not be contaminated with cigarette smoke. If there is insufficient air circulation, the plants are much more susceptible to pests.
Use large planters:
For planting vegetables on the balcony, you should use the largest possible containers. They should be able to hold at least 10 liters and be made of clay, plastic or wood. Alternatively, you can also get a ready-made kit for a wooden mini bed. This then resembles a raised bed.
» Reading tip: Creating a raised bed - 4 advantages
Earth rightprepare/fertilize:
You should enrich the soil for growing vegetables with mature compost so that there are sufficient nutrients in it. For optimal growth of the vegetable plants, the addition of a long-term fertilizer is also recommended. In summer you should then use a liquid fertilizer again so that the nutrient supply is replenished.
My book recommendation on the subject is called "The self-catering balcony":
9 types of vegetables introduced for beginners
Not all types of vegetables are equally suitable for the balcony. Of course, it is particularly motivating for beginners if the first vegetables are not too long in coming. In this case, it's a good idea to initially choose vegetables that grow fairly quickly. For example, the following vegetables are almost perfect for growing on the balcony.
❃ Radish:
You can sow radishes between April and September and reap the fruits of your labor after just four weeks. If you sow fresh seeds every two to three weeks, you will have a particularly long harvest season.
Radishes like a sunny to partially shaded spot and are grown in rows, 20 centimeters apart with 6 centimeters between plants. Good neighbors for this vegetable are, for example, carrots, beans, peas, tomatoes or lettuce.
❃ Lettuce:
Lead lettuce can also be grown particularly well on the balcony. Suitable varieties would include lamb's lettuce, cut lettuce, arugula, and lollo rosso. However, it is best not to plant these types of lettuce next to celery, parsley and turnips.
The lettuce also needs a sunny to semi-shady place. Sowing takes place from March to August. The distance between the rows should be 30 centimeters, between the individual plants you should keep a distance of three centimeters.
❃ Sugar Snap Peas:
Mangetout are very easy to grow and are therefore much cheaper to obtain than in stores. These vegetables absolutely need a very sunny place and loose soil that is rich in humus. You should sow the sweet peas between April and July and then always group three or four plants around a trellis.
By the way, good neighbors for the mangetout are lettuce, carrots, radishes and dill. They get along very well with sugar snap peas.
❃ Carrots:
Carrots also love full sun and can be planted between the end of February and June, depending on the variety. Keep a distance of five centimeters between the plants and consider a sowing depth of about three centimetres.
Place onions next to the carrots, you have a good defense against the carrot fly. Tomatoes, peas, lettuce and dill are also good neighbors for carrots.
❃ Beans:
In the case of beans, the bush beans, which are up to 40 centimeters high, are particularly suitable for growing on the balcony. Beans definitely need a climbing aid, but you can also let them grow up the balcony railing. You can sow beans in balcony boxes between mid-May and the end of June. For French beans, place four seeds in each hole, leaving five centimeters between them.
But you should never place beans right next to peas, and onions and leeks aren't ideal neighbors either. On the other hand, cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, radishes and savory are well suited.
❃ Tomatoes:
Tomatoes are probably the vegetable that is most often grown on the balcony. For example, you can cultivate them in tubs, balcony boxes or hanging baskets. The important thing is that you remember that tomatoes need a lot of sun and water to thrive properly.
Since tomatoes do not tolerate frost, you should only plant them on the balcony from mid-May. Place the individual, pre-grown plants one after the other, but not too close together. Each individual tomato plant should then be given a trellis to which you can later tie the plants.
❃ Cucumbers:
Cucumbers are also great for growing on the balcony. Like tomatoes, they also need a lot of heat and sun. They are also suitable for growing in tubs, baskets and large pots.
In addition to conventional cucumbers, mini cucumbers and lemon cucumbers are also very suitable for growing on the balcony. You can start sowing from mid-May. Good neighbors for growing on the balcony are, for example, bush beans and dill.
❃ Paprika:
The peppers can also get a place on your home balcony from mid-May. But to get a great taste, it absolutely needs a lot of sun.
When growing, you can decide for yourself whether you want to plant young plants from the nursery on the balcony or prefer the peppers yourself.In the last variant, you should plant the seeds one centimeter deep in seed trays and then let them ripen at around 28 degrees. You can then plant the young plants in the vegetable patch from the beginning of May.
❃ Herbs:
Herbs also fit very well on the balcony, but you have to make sure that herbs don't tolerate blazing sun. It is therefore best to place the containers with the herbs in a semi-shady place.
As far as the selection of herbs is concerned, you can actually grow anything your heart desires here. Very popular herbs include dill, basil, chives, parsley, sage, lemon balm, thyme and lavender. No matter which strains you choose, you should plant them all from mid-May and according to the package insert.