How to Grow Fresh Herbs on My Balcony
Your balcony may be a small space, but you can put it to good use by turning it into an area to grow herbs. Herbs generally grow in full sun to partial shade, depending on the plant. Having fresh herbs readily available allows you to use them for eating, crafting and medicinal purposes. By gathering your favorite plants and containers, you can get started on a compact herb garden. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Prepare your balcony for your herbs. Analyze how much sun if any, your balcony gets. This will help you decide which plants will prosper and grow. If the area is completely shaded, choose shade-loving plants. If you attach planters over the edge of the balcony, the plants will likely receive partial to full sun. Some popular light shade herbs include coriander and chamomile, according to the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. You may also have to measure the balcony area if you are adding planters or attaching them to railings. If you have full sun, consider growing parsley, summer savory or lavender.
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Shop for supplies. Select containers that are sturdy but lightweight and have plenty of drainage to prevent root rot. Containers with a diameter between 12 to 18 inches allow herbs to grow easier, explains Epicurious. Herbs prefer to have equal amounts of soil and organic matter to promote growth and stay healthy.
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Purchase your herb plants. Visit your local nursery for the best plants suited to your growing zone. Choose plants that are green and budding. Avoid plants that appear to have already bloomed or matured. Stay away from plants that are wilted or don't have many leaves.
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Set up your herb garden. Make sure plants are spaced apart according to the packaging instructions. Mark all plants with a plant marker for easy identification. Consider that some plants have strong fragrances such as sweet woodruff and southernwood, so avoid placing near windows to avoid bothersome odor. Make sure there is plenty of room to access the plants and care for them regularly.
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Maintain your plants. It is important to keep your plants healthy by using a 10-10-10 fertilizer and watering as needed, explains Garden.org. Some herbs, such as horehound and spearmint, may need to be cut back and divided, as they grow larger.
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Tips & Warnings
You can bring some herbs indoors once the weather turns cold such as rosemary and lavender.
Plant herbs next to your annuals to hide the barren look of a harvested herb plant.
References
Resources
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