Gardening on Balconies and Terraces: Tips and Inspiration

Gardening on Balconies and Terraces: Tips and Inspiration

Think you don’t have enough space at home for gardening? Think again! Here’s how you can make the most of your balcony or terrace.

✍️ Milena Bauchet • 📸 Canva

Table of Contents

🌱 Gardening without a garden: it’s possible! 🪴 3 easy plants to grow for your first herb box 🥬 3 vegetables to sow or plant for a mini vegetable garden 🍓 3 small fruits to cultivate at home for summer delights 🌿 What’s next? Plant care made easy! 📗 Further resources

🌱 Gardening without a garden: it’s possible!

If you have a balcony, terrace, or even a small windowsill, why not transform it into a space for creating a herb box or a mini vegetable garden? Flowers aren’t the only way to beautify your pots! With a few simple tips, you can grow your own herbs, small fruits, and summer vegetables while enjoying a rewarding new hobby!

Did you know? Combining crops in the same pot, such as tomatoes and basil, benefits plant growth and creates a natural barrier against pests!

1 – Choose plants suited to your growing space

First and foremost, remember that some plants thrive in full sun, while others prefer partial shade or full shade. Each type has its own preferences, so it’s crucial to learn about them!

Alternatively, you can “cheat” by artificially recreating suitable conditions: provide a little more shade with a sheer curtain, or reduce wind exposure with a hedge of shrubs or perennials. This way, your plants will flourish, and you’ll enjoy a cooler environment in the summer!

2 – Garden safely

Another key point is your safety and that of others! Be mindful of your floor space to avoid overloading your balcony or terrace. On average, these structures can support a maximum of 350 kg per square meter! Also, ensure that your planters are securely fixed to prevent them from being blown away by the wind. Hang them facing inward rather than outward for added security.

3 – Consider your schedule and needs

Do you have plenty of free time for gardening, or just a little? Start by growing vegetables, fruits, or herbs that you love to eat: this will keep you motivated! Choose easy-to-grow plants that require minimal maintenance, and as you gain confidence, you can take on more challenging varieties!

4 – Equip yourself wisely

Should you invest in tools? Before purchasing an expensive set of equipment, have you considered second-hand options? Ask around if anyone can lend or give you some tools, or explore local flea markets for bargains!

Here are the essential tools we recommend to start: gloves, a hat or cap, pruning shears, a knife, a trowel, a watering can, and a spray bottle (for misting delicate plants).

5 – Persevere!

By experimenting, you will learn from your mistakes and gradually create the mini garden of your dreams! 😉

🪴 3 Easy Plants to Grow for Your First Herb Box

1 – Mint

The perfect ingredient for your summer salads and wellness infusions! Additionally, it attracts butterflies and repels mosquitoes. Plant it in spring in a large pot filled with rich potting soil, ideally in partial shade, and remember to water it well during hot weather.

2 – Basil

Enhance your dishes with this aromatic herb! Basil stimulates appetite and aids digestion. Plus, its scent keeps mosquitoes at bay! Plant it at the end of spring or the beginning of summer, favoring partial shade. Basil doesn’t require particularly rich soil, but be sure to keep it moist to prevent wilting leaves.

3 – Oregano

This herb flavors all dishes, especially pizzas! Moreover, it’s loved by bees while repelling pests. Oregano will thrive on your balcony, provided it gets plenty of sunlight and is shielded from wind. Plant it in spring, and be careful not to overwater it; unlike you, it doesn’t like wet feet! 😉

🥬 3 Vegetables to Sow or Plant for Your Mini Vegetable Garden

1 – Tomatoes

The must-have! Did you know that the average person consumes nearly 20 kg of tomatoes per year? Start saving by growing your own! Cherry tomatoes are perfect for snacking on your balcony or terrace. 😉 Sow and plant them in spring in full sunlight, then support the plant with a stake for a bountiful summer harvest. Regular pruning will help keep the plant airy.

2 – Lettuce

Your source of vitamins! There are as many varieties as there are tastes. You can grow lettuce throughout the year in partial shade. Once planted, expect to wait 5 to 10 weeks before enjoying your harvest (don’t wait too long!). Chef’s tip: only cut a few leaves as needed to avoid wasting your crop!

3 – Radishes

Low in calories but highly nutritious! Sow radishes year-round, with spring being ideal, in full sun or partial shade depending on your region. Thin out the seedlings to leave the strongest plants spaced about twelve centimeters apart. Radishes enjoy water, but be sure to harvest them promptly to avoid bitterness.

🍓 3 Small Fruits to Grow at Home for Summer Treats

1 – Strawberries

We love them: fresh or dipped in chocolate! Make jam to preserve them longer and extend your enjoyment! There are several early and late varieties: grow both in spring or autumn to savor them throughout the summer. This little fruit requires plenty of sunlight but needs some shade during the hottest months. For care, feed the plant in spring and trim the runners (the aerial stems connecting the plants).

2 – Raspberries

A delight for kids, who love picking these juicy fruits! Plant raspberry bushes from autumn to late spring. They thrive in partial shade or full sun and require minimal effort: mulch in spring and cut back the stems in winter.

3 – Blueberries

Blueberry plants are a bit more finicky: to ensure fruit production, choose a self-pollinating variety or pair it with another plant for pollination. Plant it in a pot from autumn to early spring, in partial shade or full sun depending on your region, and water it with non-calcareous water, as it prefers acidic soil. If your tap water is hard, consider setting up a rainwater collector on your terrace, like a large bucket, for watering.

🌿 What’s Next? Plant Care Made Easy!

1 – Proper watering is essential!

Start by watering your pots early in the morning or late in the evening, avoiding the hottest parts of the day. This will help save water! For smaller containers, consider placing a dish filled with water at the roots or using oyas (unglazed clay pots filled with water) in contact with the soil.

2 – In summer, trim your herbs!

This practice benefits your plants, making them even more beautiful! You can leave the cut stems and leaves at the base of the plant: they will serve as both mulch and natural fertilizer alongside the potting soil. Handy!

3 – Are pests invading your plants?

Try this natural remedy: a little diluted black soap in water. Spray this solution on the leaves, which pests like aphids dislike.

📗 Further Resources

Your summer mini garden is set up? Congratulations! You’re in for a treat, and you might even spot butterflies at your windows! On your small scale, you’re contributing to greening your city, combating climate change, and preserving local biodiversity.

For more information, check out the downloadable sheets from Jardinot on "Discovering and Properly Using Aromatic Plants" and "How to Fill My Planter?" More gardening tips and tricks await you in our bi-monthly magazine dedicated to nature enthusiasts.