Just because you don’t have a large backyard doesn’t mean you can’t grow any vegetables. Here are some common and easy vegetables you can grow right on your balcony.
Vegetables you can grow on a balcony: There are many vegetables you can grow in containers such as tomatoes, zucchini, and peppers. Other root vegetables include carrots, beets, and radishes. As long as the container is wide and deep enough, and you have a sunny area on your balcony, you can grow a lot of delicious vegetables.
What vegetables work well on a balcony?
When planning your balcony garden, think about what vegetables grow best in a container, as this is where they need to grow. You want to pick plants that don’t spread out too much and don’t need advanced soil conditions.
Large creepers, such as squash, need too much space and will make a giant tripping hazard out of your balcony. Likewise, you don’t want crops, such as potatoes, which need a lot of depth to grow.
15 Vegetables You Can Easily Grow on Your Balcony
Tomatoes
Perhaps the most common vegetable for container gardening on your balcony is tomatoes. These plants are easy to grow anywhere, so it makes sense to have them easily accessible on your balcony.
Tomatoes are heavy feeders which means they take a lot of nutrients out of the garden. Even if you have space in your backyard, many gardeners will still use containers for tomatoes and then dispose of the soil as it will take a lot of compost or fertilizer to make the soil healthy again.
If you are worried about space, try cherry tomatoes or other smaller options. You can also easily find tomato cages to give support to the plants.
Peppers
Growing peppers on your balcony requires sun and a deep container. As long as you have the two, you will be successful.
Just ensure your container is nice and deep so the root structures of the pepper plants have enough space. Then, place the container in full sun so the peppers will be ripe in time for early fall.
Radishes
Those who are impatient will definitely want to plant radishes on their balcony. These tiny but nutritious vegetables grow very quickly and if you live in a cooler climate, you might be able to get a few yields in the same container.
Even though radishes grow underground, they are small so they don’t need a very large container. Plant them in early spring for best results.
Beets
Another root vegetable that you can grow on a balcony is beets. Again, even though they are underground, they won’t get too large so are fine for a container.
Where possible, use a container that is wide in diameter. This way you can space your beets out so they don’t become overcrowded, which can lead to them being smaller than you want.
Peas
You might think that peas need a lot of space and are therefore not suited to balcony gardening. However, there are many varieties of peas, so just be sure to plant ones that are smaller in size.
Use a trellis or a pole to help the peas grow up instead of out. This will be a better use of a small balcony.
Carrots
When choosing carrots for your balcony garden, be sure to select smaller varieties. This way, you don’t have to worry too much about the depth of the container.
Carrots grow pretty quickly and if you have a few containers for them, plant them two weeks apart for a continual yield.
Pole beans
As long as you have a sturdy pole set up in your container, pole beans make an excellent addition to a balcony. This variety of beans will grow up, which is an excellent use of limited space.
Plant a few beans per container and then train them up the pole by gently tying a string around the vines. Place them in full sun and the beans will grow quickly.
Celery
A really easy vegetable to grow on your balcony is celery. Indeed, if you have the end of a bunch of celery from the grocery store, you can even experiment with planting to see what develops.
Celery grows quickly and if you cut off just a few stalks at a time, it will keep growing so you can have a large stretch of it freshly available.
Ginger
The part of the ginger plant that we eat is the root structure, which is called a rhizome. This rhizome branches out underground.
Interestingly, you can chop off an end piece of the rhizome and the plant will keep growing. If you regularly use ginger while cooking, having the plant readily available on your balcony is perfect. When you need a piece simply open your door, slice off a part of the root, and you have fresh ginger while the plant will keep growing.
Spinach
Packed full of nutrients, spinach is an excellent addition to many dishes. Having it easily available on your balcony will ensure that there are no excuses for eating healthy.
Spinach prefers cool weather so if you plan it right, you can get a crop in the spring and then again in the fall. Furthermore, if you space out your planting, you can have spinach available for up to a month at a time.
While spinach doesn’t need a deep container to grow, it is best if you have a wide container. This way you can grow plenty of spinach and if you have extra, simply harvest it and store it in the freezer.
Onions
There are many types of onions and you can experiment with growing different ones or stick to tried and tested varieties. Easier varieties of the allium family to grow include chives and spring onions.
However, you can also grow larger onions; just note that you will need a larger container to do so. What you plant will depend on the size of your balcony and the type of onions you most like to enjoy.
Kale and swiss chard
Leafy greens such as kale and swiss chard are excellent for a balcony garden. They have shallow roots so you don’t need to worry about a deep container.
Like other greens, kale and swiss chard prefer sunny weather but cooler temperatures. Be sure to water them well in the morning to prevent the leaves from drooping in the warmer afternoon temperatures.
Eggplants
Despite their size, eggplants actually grow really well in containers on a balcony. You can opt for smaller varieties if you are worried about having the right-size container.
Eggplants don’t like to get too cold, so be sure to wait until after the last frost. You will also want to use soil that drains well so the roots don’t remain too wet.
Zucchini
If there is one plant that seems to multiply at a radical rate, it is the zucchini. Just one zucchini plant can produce multiple vegetables.
Place your zucchini plant in a warm, sunny location. Water regularly but allow the soil to drain properly so the plant doesn’t become too mushy.
Herbs
Finally, no balcony garden is complete without a herb garden. You can choose all your favorites, including parsley, sage, mint, and basil.
Most herbs need warmth and sunlight so keep this in mind when finding the right location. Furthermore, herbs do best if they are regularly harvested as this will prevent them from bolting and going to seed, so don’t be afraid to gather the herbs you need for all your culinary delights.
Tips / Things to consider for balcony gardening
Timing
Like other elements of gardening, the more you are aware of your plant’s needs, the better you can plan for their planting. Some vegetables are cool-weather crops which means they will survive a late frost while others can’t be planted until late spring when the soil warms up.
Water
A lot of balconies are undercover, which means your vegetables will be fully reliant on you to water them. Even if the plants are exposed to rain, their small containers won’t hold a lot of moisture, so the soil will dry out a lot quicker than vegetables planted in the ground.
Companion planting
Whenever possible, try to employ companion planting, even in a small space like a balcony. For example, you can plant marigolds to attract beneficial insects.
You should also try to space out plants that are in the same plant family. For example, tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers are all part of the nightshade family so diseases will spread more easily if they are grouped together.
Fertilizer
Vegetables that take longer to grow may need additional fertilizer. Container gardening is hard to add compost, so a chemical fertilizer is easier to add and will ensure the soil has enough nutrients for your crops.
Conclusion
Even a small space like a balcony can be a source of life. Choose vegetables that will thrive in containers and make use of all your available space, including vertical areas.
Related Articles: