If you have a flat or an apartment with a balcony, it can sometimes be hard to know how to make the most out of the space. If you are thinking about taking up a new hobby, you could consider turning your balcony into a place to grow your fruit and vegetables.
This article will provide handy tips to help you as you take the first steps to growing produce from the comfort of your own home.
Mediterranean Oasis
Who doesn’t love to be reminded of the Mediterranean? Create your own Mediterranean oasis on your balcony by opting to grow classic herbs such as rosemary, basil, oregano, and thyme alongside plants bearing fruit and vegetables such as tomato plants, peppers, and eggplants.
Lemon or dwarf orange trees will add some height to your balcony and be sure to opt for Mediterranean-inspired accessories such as terracotta pots and ceramic tiles.
Vertical Jungle
Create your own lush outdoor jungle-themed garden by adding vertical planters and hanging baskets to your balcony. You’ll find a range of tropical plants that can thrive throughout the year, but you can also think about adding leafy greens such as lettuce, spinach, and kale to add texture and depth.
In terms of fruits and vegetables, climbing beans, strawberries, and cherry tomatoes will provide you with pops of colour while also being easy to grow from hanging baskets and staggered planters for extra height.
You can further achieve the jungle aesthetic by adorning your balcony with patterned accessories in prints like palm trees or bright floral colours such as orange and pink. Adding string solar lights in and around your hanging baskets and climbing plants will also emphasise the green hues when the nights draw in, and it will be a lovely sight to look out upon from inside your flat or apartment.
Culinary Delight
If you have a passion for cooking with exciting and out-of-the-ordinary ingredients, you can further explore this by choosing to plant fruits and vegetables that cater to your culinary interests.
Herbs are so simple to grow and maintain, so you could opt for the likes of mint, chives, and parsley which will allow you to broaden your culinary horizons in the kitchen in comparison to other, more traditional herbs. The same applies to vegetables such as heirloom tomatoes, colourful bell peppers, and chilli plants, which will all flourish in a small outdoor space such as a balcony.
If you are keen to explore cooking sweet treats and desserts, choosing to fill your balcony with fruit-bearing plants or trees that will provide you with strawberries, blueberries, apples and figs will give you a wealth of produce to work with as you try out new recipes.