Tips for balcony plants

Tip 1:
Paradise on minimum space

With an attractive design, the smallest balcony can be transformed into a blooming oasis. As a basic rule of thumb, summer bloomers should only be put outside after the late frost period (in mid-May). If you want to start planting by April, you must make sure that your plants are protected from possible late frosts by covering them or taking them indoors.



With the choice of planting containers, you may let your fantasy run wild. Apart form the traditional window boxes and containers from plastic, ceramic or wood, you can make use of old tin buckets, bath tubs or watering cans for a fancy design of your balcony. It is just important that the container has some holes in the bottom so that surplus water can drain away.

With window boxes, you should make sure that they are about 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 cm) deep and 8 inches (20 cm) wide so that you can plant two rows to achieve a continuous display of blooms. For those who cannot water regularly in summer, special self-watering window boxes are commercially available.