Living in the city does not mean that one can not try to grow some greens. The best thing about balconies is that they are usually wide enough to allow one to grow even a small vegetable garden. Above all, balconies are an ideal place for cultivating flowers and highly fragrant herbs. They can also be picked fresh for use in cooking.

The first thing one needs to do is see the area of the balcony that comes under your control. If you have a balcony that is small and fully covered by a roof, then it might be tough to make it greener. But if you are lucky enough to have an open balcony, you can always go ahead with your plans.

Once you have decided on the best place for your garden, you can decide which herbs or flowers to grow there. You can also decide on the kind of seeds or sprouts that suit your taste and need.

We are going to show you some awesome tips on how to make your balcony garden awesome. So, let's get started!

Sunlight is essential

If you have a small balcony, make sure the right amount of sunlight gets onto it. It could be done by placing a small-diameter trellis on the balcony to provide shade during the day and let in sunlight at night.

Many balconies don't allow sunlight is due to lack of space. However, if you do have space, try growing plants that require lots of sunlight, such as tomatoes or cucumbers. Make sure these plants get enough sunlight from all sides so that they do not suffer from stress and are weak.

Plant flowers

It's always good to have some flowers around, especially if you live in an apartment or condo unit. They will offer you many benefits like attracting butterflies, pollinating insects and creating an overall healthy atmosphere for your plants.

First, you need to prepare your balcony by removing all the old foliage that has grown over the years. If any plants are already established on the balcony, then you can remove them. It is crucial to know which type of plant will grow well on the balcony so that you can replace any of them with something more suitable.

Second, it is also vital to get rid of any noxious weeds or invasive species that might affect the growth of your plants.

Hydroponic farming

If you are looking for a more modern and simple solution, you should know that hydroponic farming is a style of indoor gardening that has been in use throughout the whole world. With hydroponics, plants are grown in water, and they do not need soil at all. Hydroponic farmers grow plants in soilless cubes made of plastic, wood, or glass and placed inside a specialized growing chamber. The plants' roots may be suspended in the soilless cube or submerged in the nutrient solution.

Hydroponic farmers use special lighting fixtures with solid-state ballasts, which can be operated automatically to change light intensity during the day to simulate sunlight. It allows the grower to keep track of light exposure for each plant without worrying about rotationally induced stress.

Remove the weeds

Once the old foliage and weeds are removed (and don't forget to get rid of any dead leaves), you can start growing some of your favourite plants like tomato, lettuce, herbs like basil or rosemary, citrus fruits, etc. You can even try growing pineapple guava, eggplant and okra.

Compact garden plan

It is a widely known fact that the best way to make a balcony look more spacious is to create a compact garden plan. It means less space is needed to grow vegetables and herbs. It's best to not have large beds separate from one another but small raised beds instead. It will allow you to enjoy your balcony more because you won't feel like you're always digging into the soil or bending over while tending your plants.

Properly arrange plants

That is one of the most vital tips you can follow, as it will help you create layers in your garden. Layering plants can also be helpful to keep your plants healthy and stop them from overwatering.

Get rid of excess furniture

A small table and chairs combo is best suited for a small balcony because it can be easily stored in a closet when not in use. This way, you do not need to store any extra furniture and clutter your small space with unwanted stuff.

If you plan on putting your balcony on display for visitors, then you must think about the overall look. It is not just about adding decorative items but also about various ways of arranging them so that they complement each other. With these tips, you will have the perfect garden on your balcony!

Author bio:

Alison Pearson is an interior design student. She is a content creator, and her ultimate passion is business and marketing. She is also a bibliophile and her favourite book is "The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner. Follow her on Twitter.

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