Guide to growing Balcony Beauty Collection
Guide: How to succeed with balcony gardening
Growing on a balcony is both fun and easy! With the right pots, soil and a little planning, you can create a gorgeous, edible oasis that produces both tasty vegetables, herbs and flowers. In this guide, we share our collected tips and advice on what to consider to succeed with your cultivation. Hope it will provide good guidance.
1. Light – choose the right location
Most crops like sun, so a balcony with lots of sun is always preferable. Below is a short guide to which crops thrive in which location.
South facing : provides the most sun and warmth. Perfect for tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and chilies.
East facing (morning sun): Just right for herbs and salad.
West facing (afternoon sun): Suitable for leafy greens.
Shade/north facing: works for leafy green and hardy plants.
Tip: Protect sensitive plants from strong afternoon sun with a non-woven fabric or parasol.
Consider reflected light from walls and ground – it can provide extra heat.
2. Wind and weather – protect your plants
Balconies can be windy – heavy pots and windbreaks help to keep everything in place.
Rain can wash away nutrients – so apply nutrients yourself during heavy rainfall.
3. Pots and balcony boxes
Pots: General rule of thumb: larger pots → more stable growth and a larger harvest. Choose pots with drainage holes and trays for good drainage.
Planter boxes and balcony boxes: Perfect for lettuce, herbs, flowers with a more compact growth habit. Make sure the boxes have drainage holes and a tray/basin underneath.
Tip :
Combine different sizes and heights of pots to maximize surface area.
Combine pots placed on the floor or table with hanging hanging pots to make the most of the space.
💧 4. Watering – adjust to weather
Balcony plants dry out quickly in the sun and wind. Water often and thoroughly, preferably from below if possible.
If you will be away for a longer period of time, we recommend using drip irrigation pots, drip hoses or capillary mats, or take a PET bottle filled with water and place it upside down in the pot.
5. Soil and nutrition
Always use high-quality, nutrient-rich potting soil when growing. Add liquid plant nutrients regularly during the season.
7. Pests and diseases
Balcony plants are often healthier than indoor plants, but small insects can come with the soil.
Keep an eye out for aphids, whiteflies or powdery mildew. Early detection and quick action are important to get rid of these little critters.
Examples of methods for controlling pests:
· Adhesive traps for sandflies
· Remove infected leaves
· Soapy water: A common method is to spray with a mixture of soap and water (e.g. 1 dl soap to 9 dl water). Repeat the treatment 2-3 times a week until the vermin are gone.
· Neem oil: A natural, essential oil that disrupts the life cycle of bedbugs. Mix neem oil with water and a little natural detergent to help the oil stick to the leaves.
8. Practical tips for balcony gardening
· Vertical growing: trellises and plant supports maximize space.
· Rotating placement: move pots for even light distribution.
· Harvest at the right time: pick often – stimulates new growth.
· Plan mixtures: combinations of fast-growing leaves and slow-growing fruit crops provide continuous harvest.
Quick guide – succeeding with the crops in the Balcony Beauty Collection
1. Purple bean – fast-growing privacy screen
Pre-cultivation/direct sowing: the sturgeon can either be pre-cultivated indoors in March-April (for early harvest) or directly sown in its growing location in May-June. The bean has a hard shell that requires a lot of moisture to germinate, so we do NOT recommend pre-cultivating them in the growing briquettes. Instead, use a smaller pot filled with potting soil that is well watered. Cover the sowing with transparent covering. You can also directly sow the bean directly in the pot/growing container.
Location: A south or west facing balcony will give the fastest growth. The bean needs about 6 hours of sun per day.
Pot size: At least 10 liters, preferably a tall pot. Place a climbing support in the pot – a trellis or trellis, for the bean to grow on.
Watering : Make sure the soil is evenly moist, but do not let any water stand. The bean is a fast grower so make sure to water regularly on hot days.
Nutrition : Liquid fertilizer once a week. Doesn't require much extra nitrogen because beans fix their own.
2. Sweet Pea – winding and sweet in a pot
Pre-cultivation/direct sowing: Sweet peas can either be pre-cultivated indoors in April (for early harvest) or directly sown in their growing location in May-June. Sweet peas have a hard shell that requires a lot of moisture to germinate, so we do NOT recommend pre-cultivating them in the growing briquettes. Instead, use a smaller pot filled with potting soil that is well watered. Cover the sowing with transparent covering. You can also directly sow the sweet peas directly in the pot/growing container.
Location: South/east balcony, can handle some shade.
Pot size: 5–10 liters per plant. Requires support: trellis, strings or small sticks to climb on.
Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist, but not wet.
Nutrition : Liquid fertilizer once a week when the plant begins to flower.
Tip: Pick pods often – stimulates more flowers and a larger harvest.
3. Cherry tomato – perfect for hanging baskets
Pre-cultivation: The tomato is pre-cultivated indoors in February-April. Pre-cultivate the seeds in the growing briquettes according to the instructions in the box.
Location: Tomatoes are sun-loving and thrive best on a south-facing balcony with lots of light, preferably 6–8 hours of sun/day. Place in a sheltered spot away from the wind.
Pot size : 5–7 liters is enough for a hanging plant.
Watering: Maintain even moisture, water thoroughly but let the surface dry slightly between waterings. Irregular watering can lead to cracked tomatoes.
Nutrition: Apply liquid fertilizer once a week. Increase this a little more when flowering and fruiting begin.
Tip: Grow this variety in a hanging basket – it helps you maximize space and provides an extra decorative effect.
4. Bush cress – colorful in a balcony box or pot
Pre-cultivation/direct sowing: the bush cress can either be pre-cultivated indoors in April (for early flowering) or directly sown in its growing location in May-June. The cress seed has a hard shell that requires a lot of moisture to germinate, so we do NOT recommend pre-cultivating them in the growing briquettes. Instead, use a smaller pot filled with potting soil that is well watered. Cover the sowing with transparent covering. You can also directly sow the cress directly in the pot/balcony box
Location: Unpretentious, works well on both sunny and semi-shady balconies.
Pot size: Cress looks great in a pot (at least 5 liters) or balcony box that is 20–30 cm deep. Plant several plants close together for a lush effect.
Watering: Water regularly, especially on hot days. The cress has enormous growth potential!
Nutrition: Bush cress is not very nutrient-demanding, if you add too much nutrition it tends to focus on forming leaves instead of flowers.
Tip: Eat flowering shoots and flowers – beautiful and delicious.
5. Basil – aromatic and decorative
Pre-cultivation: Basil is pre-cultivated indoors in February-April. Pre-cultivate the seeds in the growing briquettes according to the instructions in the box.
Location : Basil thrives best in a sunny location, at least 6–8 hours per day. Protect from strong winds and drafts.
Pot size : 1–2 liters is enough per plant. Can be planted with tomatoes or chilies if grown in a larger pot/container.
Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but allow the surface to dry slightly between waterings. Avoid overwatering the leaves.
Nutrition : Weak liquid nutrition every other week is sufficient. Excessive nutrition causes too rapid growth which leads to less flavor.
Tip : Pinch off the top shoots regularly → this will give you a bushier plant. Harvest leaves continuously for stronger growth. If you let the plant flower, the leaves will taste less.