Best Vegetables to Grow on Apartment Balcony. There are numerous advantages to starting your own food garden. Growing your own vegetables can benefit your health in a variety of ways. Consuming more fruits and vegetables is one of the most important things you can do while attempting to eat correctly, get in shape, and stay healthy in general. Furthermore, veggies picked from your own garden have a higher vitamin value than those purchased at the market. Furthermore, the veggies in your garden are devoid of dangerous chemicals such as pesticides.
One of the most obvious advantages of growing your own fruits and veggies is that you save money on groceries. Gardening may also be a natural stress reliever because being outside in the fresh air and sunshine can lift your spirits and make you feel invigorated. But what if you don’t have a yard in which to plant a garden? Vegetable gardens are no longer limited for homeowners with yards; you can plant a variety of veggies on your apartment patio or balcony.
The first step in creating a garden on your patio or balcony is to place a large container on it and fill it with dirt. Make sure there are a few holes in the bottom of the box to drain excess water and that there is something under the container to catch the water. If you don’t have space for a large container, some of the veggies listed below can be grown in pots. After you’ve accomplished these procedures, you’re ready to begin planting. But what are the best veggies (or herbs or fruits) to grow in your new balcony garden container? Here are some easy-to-grow plants that will thrive in your patio vegetable garden.
Best Vegetables to Grow on Apartment Balcony
1. Broccoli
Broccoli plants require some space to grow yet generate a lot of food from a single plant. Simply chop off the florets as needed and rinse them before cooking. Broccoli is great roasted or steamed, and it may be added to rice or casseroles. Cauliflower grows similarly to broccoli and is equally as delicious. For diversity, grow one of each on your flat balcony.
2. Leafy Greens Vegetables to Grow on Apartment Balcony
Greens of all kinds will thrive in a balcony garden. Lettuce, kale, spinach, radicchio, collard greens, and other greens will grow swiftly and readily. After cutting the greens, rinse them and use them in your recipes and salads. It doesn’t get much fresher than a salad from your garden, freshly trimmed. You’ll also be doing your diet a favour because many leafy greens are high in vitamins.
3. Zucchini and Summer Squash
Zucchini and summer squash are excellent for balcony gardens, but only if only one or two plants are grown in a deep pot or container. These plants will take up as much space as you give them, so be sure they don’t crowd out your other plants. Plants of zucchini and summer squash will produce pounds of vegetables for you to sprinkle with olive oil and grill. They can also be used in salads, loaves of bread, as a pasta substitute, and other dishes.
4. Cucumbers
Cucumbers are ideal for balconies because they spread quickly and the vines wrap themselves over railings like trellises. And cucumbers are great raw, sliced, or put in a fresh greens salad. If you like pickles, you may soak them in vinegar to produce quick refrigerator pickles or can to make true Lacto-fermented pickles.
5. Peppers Vegetables to Grow on Apartment Balcony
Peppers of all kinds are simple to cultivate, even in small spaces. Bell peppers, jalapenos, poblanos, and habaneros of all colours will thrive on your balcony or patio. Peppers can be used in a variety of cuisines, including sautés and soups, pizza toppings, fresh salads, and more. Pickled peppers can also be used in salsas and relishes. Throughout the season, a single plant will produce a lot of peppers, so be prepared to can some or give some away.
6. Tomatoes
Tomatoes, like summer squash and zucchini, grow well in deep pots or containers because their roots penetrate quite deeply into the soil. A single tomato plant that is well-cared for can produce several pounds of tomatoes over the course of a growing season. Tomatoes can be used in a variety of ways, including pasta, sauces, salads, stews, and more. Fresh tomato with salt and pepper tastes like summer, and having their feet away on your balcony is a sight to behold.
7. Herbs Vegetables to Grow on Apartment Balcony
Nothing elevates a dish like the last sprinkling of fresh herbs. Many herbs grow on a patio or balcony, allowing you to pick what you need throughout the season. Trimming only what you need boosts plant development, so herb plants are like a gift that keeps on giving. Parsley, cilantro, dill, rosemary, oregano, thyme, basil, and sage are all excellent additions to your food garden. Chives and scallions, while not strictly herbs, can be grown to add onion flavour to your meals.
8. Blueberries
Blueberries, on the other hand, are not vegetables. But why limit yourself to just veggies in your patio garden when you can also enjoy fresh fruits? Blueberries are ideal for balcony pots because they prefer acidic soil, which most plants do not. As a result, they can be a nuisance to the other plants in a regular garden. Because it is easier to control the pH level of the soil in pots, the blueberries will grow. There are also many various species of blueberry plants, many of which are well-suited to small places, such as your balcony. Blueberries can be used in salads, smoothies, cereal, yoghurt, and other dishes.
9. Strawberries
Strawberries thrive in containers and hanging baskets, making them ideal for apartment patios and balconies. This makes them an excellent option for vertical gardening, which is ideal for persons with little space. Strawberries come in a variety of types; some bear fruit throughout the year, while others bear fruit all at once. Furthermore, some strawberry cultivars flourish in warm temperatures, while others thrive in colder weather. Strawberries are an excellent choice for your balcony garden for all of these reasons. Strawberries, like blueberries, can be used in a variety of ways, and they can also be made into jams, jellies, or canned.
Conclusion
Just because you live in an apartment or don’t have a yard doesn’t mean you can’t participate in the summer gardening fun. With little care, all types of fruits and vegetables will grow in pots or tiny garden boxes on patios or balconies. Everything from leafy greens to strawberries, bell peppers to cucumbers can thrive if properly cared for. Just make sure to give your plants enough space – you don’t want your patio to grow into a jungle.
