We believe that everyone has the natural spark of creation and growth within them.
We all have that inherent energy that draws us to gardening, but whether this call is fully realized is another thing.
One of the main hurdles that keep people from gardening is the lack of space.
After all, there are a lot of us who live in the city with no plot of land to spare. Most of us even live in buildings with no land at all.
There is a solution, though, and that is growing a balcony herb garden.
How Do I Get an Herb Garden in My Apartment?
A balcony herb garden is a type of garden that only requires a small space in your balcony.
It is excellent for people who don’t have a backyard or live in apartment spaces that only have a balcony as an “outdoor space.”
How To Create One
Unlike outdoor gardens, balcony herb gardens require less maintenance, so they’re easier to grow.
Most herbs are also more resilient compared with other edible plants, making them perfect for the limited conditions on your porch.
The best thing about them is that you can enjoy the fruits of your labor with every meal if you care for your herbs diligently一and there is nothing more delicious and satisfying than eating what you grew yourself.
What Kind of Space Do I Have?
The first thing that you need to determine is the space you have. How much space is available? Is it sunny or shady?
Knowing these factors will dictate what kind and how many pots you need, along with the kind of herbs that you can grow.
What Herbs Can I Grow on My Balcony?
Those who have a space that gets a lot of sunlight (at least six hours per day) can grow basil, chives, rosemary, and thyme.
Those who have partial shade or get less than six hours of direct sunlight per day can grow lemon balm, chervil, and parsley.
Finally, those with really limited hours of sunlight can grow mint, golden oregano, and red perilla.
We simply can’t list down all the herbs and their respective ideal light conditions in this article, so just feel free to do your research for herbs that we didn’t mention above.
You can also ask your local grower for more specific tips and techniques on how to grow them.
After all, even some plants that require full sunlight can still grow in partially shaded environments with strategic care.
Which Herbs Can Be Potted Together?
Here’s a question that we frequently get from our readers: can you still grow multiple herbs in a limited space by growing them in the same pot?
The answer is yes and no. Yes, this is possible; in fact, this growing technique is called companion planting.
No, because you can’t pair all herbs together.
For instance, mint can grow pretty vigorously, so it’s better to give it its own pot or plot to grow.
Here’s a quick list of commonly grown herbs and the plants that they grow well with:
- Sweet Basil: Oregano and parsley
- Chives: Dill and parsley
- Oregano: Chives, rosemary, sage, basil, and parsley
- Rosemary: Oregano, bay, thyme, parsley, and lavender
- Thyme: Bay, rosemary, and lavender
You might have noticed that oregano and parsley are very friendly plants.
They grow well with mostly any herb一sometimes, even mint!
Again, just do your own research about which plants grow well together in the same pot if you want to try companion planting.
More Tips on Growing Herbs on Balcony
Here are more tips on how to grow herbs on balcony aside from the ones we have already mentioned above:
Soil Is the Secret
Plants have access to potentially unlimited space and nutrients when they grow directly on land.
That’s not the case for plants that grow on containers.
That’s why quality soil plays an essential role in their growth.
Make sure that your herbs are also well-fertilized as needed.
Gear Up
You will need more than pots and soil to grow a garden.
You want to invest in other gardening tools as well, like a small shovel and a watering can.
Take Note of Their Spacing
This is not an issue if you’re only growing a plant per pot.
However, if you intend to grow multiple plants of the same kind or different kinds in the case of companion planting, take note of the spacing requirements you can find in the seed pack.
This will make sure your herbs’ roots will have enough space to grow without strangling each other.
The only time you need to worry about the spacing between the pots is when you’re planting on a fire escape.
The fire code prohibits placing any items on the platform, and for a good reason; hindering the passage in times of emergency.
Hence, make sure there’s still enough space to walk on when placing pots on a fire escape platform.
Don’t Forget To Label
You might be confident enough to know which herb is which by their looks, but honestly, most plants look the same when they’re still seedlings.
Hence, it’s always ideal to label your plants accordingly.
Water Them Properly
Finally, you should learn how to water plants properly. This is already a given and may seem pretty straightforward, but watering might be more complex than you think.
It is possible to overwater and underwater plants. You also need to account for the current weather and temperature of your location.
Lastly, some plants prefer more water and to be watered more frequently than others.
To Sum Up
Growing herbs on balcony is a great idea to get fresh and unlimited flavor with your home cooking.
It is also ideal for people who want to grow a garden but are hindered by their home’s limited space.
The challenge is how to grow healthy plants even if they’re confined within small pots.
Fortunately, there are various tips and tricks on how to grow herbs on balcony, like companion planting and increasing your soil quality.
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