Herbs on the balcony is the latest trend that people interested in health and whole families who care about their menu have come to love. A small balcony can work perfectly as a garden for growing fresh herbs. So how do you get started growing herbs on a balcony?
Review of herbs for growing on a balcony
The balcony is a substitute for a garden, which can be enjoyed especially by people living in blocks of flats. Nowadays there are really many possibilities for arranging this space. You can place comfortable garden furniture on it, install pergolas to add discretion, and plant flowers, vegetables and herbs which will not only be a decorative element, but also find effective use in the kitchen.
The choice of herbs possible to grow on a balcony is really wide. On the one hand, it can be herbs on the balcony that are added to dishes, on the other hand, those for making infusions or preparing aromatic baths – effective for various ailments or having a relaxing effect. So the choice of herbs to grow on the balcony really depends on one’s own preferences, and sometimes also the side of the world on which our balcony is located.
What herbs to plant on the balcony?
- Basil – this herb is very comfortable on the balcony. Sow the seeds on top of the prepared soil and do not cover, so that they have access to plenty of sunlight. Basil is an ideal herb on balconies with east and west exposure – then the most light can reach it.
- Savory – it can be grown both on the windowsill and on the balcony. Savory, like basil, likes exposure to the sun. It does not require a lot of watering, so it will work well for people who happen to forget to water their plants. Cover the seeds of this herb on the balcony with a very small amount of soil.
- DillThis herb feels best on balconies located in the east and west. It does not like very intense sun and extremely high temperatures. So if it is to be located in the sun being at the zenith, then it should be properly sheltered.
- Coriander – coriander is a very graceful herb on the balcony, which is best grown from June to August. It blooms very quickly and leaves more seeds after flowering. It likes the sun and does not require intensive watering. Coriander is an annual herb.
- Mayberry – its cultivation can be started quite early, as it feels good at temperatures above only 10 degrees C. Before you pour the seeds into the ground, it is a good idea to roast them first – that is, put them in the oven for about 10 minutes. Once cooled, the roasted seeds will be perfect for sowing.
- Parsley – parsley needs no introduction to anyone. It is a well-known and well-loved herb, having a great deal of valuable vitamin C. Parsley on the balcony can be planted as early as March. After about 3 months, the first leaves should appear. The most recommended are 3 varieties: Astra, Festival and Carnival.
- Tribula – the best conditions for growing this herb on the balcony are in summer. Plenty of sunshine and higher temperatures promote the emergence of leaves. They can be harvested as early as about 6 weeks after sowing the seeds.
- Estragon – this herb grown in pots on the balcony, which requires a little more commitment than the others. Estragon likes moist soil, so do not forget to water it regularly. The soil in which it is sown should be humus, with an alkaline or neutral reaction.
- Lavender – Lavender is a balcony herb that is not only useful at home, but also beautifully decorates balconies, terraces and loggias. It should be systematically watered, for which it will repay with beautiful, intense colors. For its cultivation you need soil rich in calcium.
- Sage – its medicinal variety feels best on a sunny balcony, isolated from the wind. This herb needs loose, permeable soil with sand. It does not grow in heavy, moist and barren soil.
- Thyme likes moist soil, but in which not too much water collects. It is best planted in pots with large openings. It likes to be in its own company, so it is a good idea to plant it in larger pots, where there will be plenty of thyme.
- Mint – mint will work well to combat stomach problems, but also as an addition to cold drinks during the summer. It is a very useful herb grown on the balcony. The soil in a pot with mint should always be moist, but do not overdo the amount of water you add.
- Rosemary – this herb is popularly grown both in the garden and in pots on the balcony. It likes warmth and sunshine, while it tolerates wind badly. Rosemary is a popular spice used in Polish cuisine.
How to choose a pot and soil for growing herbs?
Choosing a pot and soil for growing largely depends on the particular herb. Some, such as lovage and tarragon, feel best in large built-in pots. Sage and thyme, on the other hand, grow better in pots with holes, from which it is easier to get rid of excess water. And what kind of soil can you most often finding balcony pots with herbs? Usually it will be a loose, highly permeable, slightly moist soil.
Planting herbs
Planting herbs is best started in the spring to give the plants time to grow and bear fruit. Most herbs, however, do not like frosts, so it is better to put them indoors for the time of temperature drops. It is worth growing herbs directly from seed to enjoy their germination and subsequent growth.
How to care for herbs on a balcony?
The best places to grow herbs are balconies located on the south, southeast or southwest sides. Balconies facing east or west, where there may not be enough sun during the day, are less likely to work. A plentiful sun promotes rapid growth of herbs on the balcony, and also helps to accumulate the essentials and flavorful substances contained in the plants for which we sow herbs on the balcony.
Very beneficial to herbs from the home balcony is regular pinching, that is, stripping off the leaves. It is a good idea to pinch off the larger ones with the right color, and give the small ones time to grow. With regular peeling of leaves there should be no problems, because practically every day you can add herbs to home dishes or share self-grown herbs on the balcony with neighbors and family.
Watering
Most herbs grown on balconies fortunately tolerate light drought well, so you don’t need to remember to water them regularly. Of course there are herbs that like damp or even wet soil, in which case overdrying the plants risks drying up and crop failure.
Related: Oregano: how does it grow?
Fertilization
It is best for herbs to bet on mineral fertilizers, with a high content of potassium and phosphorus. These elements support the root system of plants, as well as their flowering, fruiting and seed production. Fertilization will be especially useful for perennial plants, which may lack some elements in the soil after the next flowering and fruiting.For annual plants, fertilization is unlikely to be needed.
Lighting
Practically all herbs on the balcony like large amounts of light and sun. However, most of them should be shaded during the hours of the most intense sunlight. Virtually none of the most popular herbs will survive on shaded balconies.
Wintering
On the balcony you can grow both annual and multi-season herbs. These multi annuals for wintering are best set up in a garage, basement or built-in veranda, where the temperature will be lower than room temperature but higher than that outside.
herbs on the balcony are always a good idea. They are rather undemanding and can be handled even by a not very skilled home gardener. And nothing tastes like fresh mint tea brewed in the evening to a book.
