Looking at beautiful, spacious gardens full of flowers and good fruits, there is reason to be jealous. But if you have a terrace or balcony, know that you are lucky too. Indeed, not everyone has an outdoor space of this type and even if it is small, you can accommodate a few plants, aromatic herbs and especially fruit trees as long as you have a little light! Chick? Here are 4 fruit trees that will be compatible with your balcony or terrace. You will enjoy yourself!
1) We opt for red fruits on our balcony
If you opt for everbearing varieties and accustomed to the pothaving strawberries and raspberries is not science fiction at all!
In particular, strawberries can be grown in hanging planters or pots. For example, we throw ourselves on the mara des bois or the famous gariguette which will certainly not give you enough to feed the entire building, but just enough for your family to enjoy. A pot of around ten liters will be enough for a plant of strawberries.
Raspberries are not fragile little things. They cope valiantly with different climates and growing in pots. For this, however, it is necessary to frequent watering (once a week), or even more if the climate is dry. You can plant them in the fall in a pot 30 cm deep and with a diameter of 25 cm.
2) Head for citrus fruits
We are seeing lemon and mandarin trees indoors more and more. However, you can also consider installing them on the balcony. However, it is necessary take care to protect them from the wind and provide them with sunny corner as well as a good sized terracotta pot. The plant also needs to be watered regularly so that it never gets dry. However, we avoid stagnant water.
Attention ! When the cold seasons arrive, we pay attention to frost which is harmful to the plants and we ensure that it remains at an ideal temperature (between 8°C and 12°C).
3) We don’t forget the fruit trees… but in a mini version to grow good fruit on your balcony!
With these mini fruit treesplums, apples and even pears are within reach. However, you must provide large pots or wooden planters (60 x 60 cm). If space on your balcony allows it, consider putting two different apple plants side by side of the gala, fuji or honeycrisp varieties, because they pollinate each other. As for pears, we are wary of frost (especially late) and we remember to cover the branches well.
4) And finally the cherry tomato: lots of flavor concentrated in a small format!
Bringing sunny vegetables and balconies together is not easy, but the existence of cherry tomatoes is a pleasant solution! They are ideal for a small balcony. In fact, they grow well in pots and planters, require little space, and produce abundantly. They like sun and regular watering. You simply need to keep the soil cool and watered, but never flooded. Certain varieties, such as hanging cherry tomatoes, can also be grown in hanging baskets, thus optimizing vertical space. Finally, they are generally simple to grow, making them perfect for beginner gardeners. However, consider using a stake as the plant grows for potted varieties.
Other plants ideal for a small balcony (or terrace)
It is entirely possible to create a diverse and productive vegetable garden on a cramped balcony or terrace. Here are some more ideas for plants you can grow in pots or planters that are perfect for small spaces!
Aromatic herbs
Basil: perfect for Italian dishes, it grows well in pots in full sun.
Parsley: it grows well in containers and can be harvested regularly.
Chives: easy to grow and ideal for garnishing many dishes.
Mint: it prefers a partially shaded location and moist soil.
Thyme: a hardy grass that loves sun and well-drained soil.
Leafy or root vegetables
Lettuce: easy to grow and quick to harvest, it lends itself well to growing in pots.
Spinach: another fast-growing vegetable that does well in containers.
Arugula: ideal for salads and very easy to grow in pots.
Radish: rapid growth for a harvest in about a month.
La carotte’s wife: varieties like ‘Paris Market’ are perfect for small spaces.
Beetroot: They grow well in pots and offer edible leaves as well as roots.
Fruity vegetables and other nice vegetables
Peppers: as long as they benefit from good light, they grow well in containers.
Eggplants: they also prefer sunny, warm conditions.
Zucchini: some compact varieties are ideal for small spaces.
Dwarf beans: they can grow in pots and produce a good harvest.
Peas: dwarf varieties can climb a trellis or stake.
You can also try edible flowers. For example, there are nasturtiums. The flowers, leaves and seeds are indeed edible. Otherwise, think about…thoughts. These flowers are beautiful and edible, and particularly perfect for garnishing salads.
Some little growing tips
First of all, even if the space is small, always use appropriately sized pots and containers. The size should be large enough to let the roots of the plants you are growing fully develop. So prefer to have fewer vegetable plants and make difficult choices rather than having too many which will ultimately not be able to grow well. Your pots must also absolutely have drainage holes to avoid stagnant water. Also use a good potting soil for containers, possibly enriched with compost. A quality substrate is a key element!
Pay particular attention to good exposure to the sun for the plants. Most plantations require at least six hours of sunlight per day. Finally, the containers dry out faster than the soil in the ground, so water them regularly, but avoid excess water and stagnant water in the cup which could rot the roots and attract mosquitoes.
With a little planning and attention, you can have a lush and productive balcony all spring-summer long.