Introduction
I started growing vegetables on my balcony in 2017, from initially just a few pots of mint and cilantro to what is now a year-round small vegetable garden. These six years have brought me abundant harvests. I remember when I first started planting, I was like an enthusiastic but flustered beginner, buying a bunch of flowerpots and seeds, eager to create my own urban garden. I was both excited and nervous at the time, worried about accidentally killing the young seedlings.
Looking back now, although I made many mistakes during that exploratory period, each failure taught me valuable lessons. For instance, I once thought growing vegetables was just about throwing seeds into soil and watering them regularly, resulting in oddly shaped, malnourished vegetables. Through continuous learning and practice, I finally understood the secrets behind balcony gardening.
Choosing the Right Location
Speaking of site selection, there were certainly some bitter lessons learned. When I first started growing vegetables on my balcony, I would place them wherever there was space, without considering sunlight at all. The results were predictable - the plants I placed randomly either grew thin and long like bean sprouts or simply withered.
Later, I discovered that understanding the sunlight conditions of each corner is the most important aspect of balcony gardening. I now strongly recommend newcomers to spend a day observing different spots on their balcony every two hours, starting from 6 AM. You'll discover that even on the same balcony, different locations can have significant variations in light intensity and duration.
I'm very fortunate that my balcony faces south, receiving abundant sunlight from 9 AM to 3 PM daily. These conditions are perfect for growing vegetables - tomatoes and peppers that love light grow particularly vigorously here. However, I want to remind everyone that there's no need to be discouraged if your balcony faces east or west. I know a friend whose east-facing balcony specializes in shade-tolerant vegetables like lettuce, spinach, chives, and water spinach, growing just as well as mine.
After solving the sunlight issue, we also need to consider ventilation. Good ventilation not only helps plants photosynthesize but also prevents pests and diseases. I leave space for airflow at both ends of my balcony, allowing air to circulate freely. In summer, proper ventilation can also reduce balcony temperature, preventing plant damage from high temperatures.
Another important consideration is the balcony's load-bearing capacity. After all, growing vegetables requires pots and soil, which have weight. My experience is to place large pots along the balcony edge and smaller planters near the wall, ensuring both safety and efficient use of space.
Soil Preparation
Regarding soil, this was definitely my biggest mistake initially. When I first started growing vegetables, I thought soil was just soil, as long as things could grow in it, not realizing how much soil quality would affect plant growth. To save money, I used soil from a construction site downstairs, thinking soil was all the same. The results were predictable - the vegetables either suffered from malnutrition or simply wouldn't grow.
After several failures, I began to seriously study soil issues. Good planting soil should have several characteristics: first, it should be loose and well-aerated - when you grab a handful, it should feel soft with some granularity but not too coarse; second, it should have good water retention, with water distributing evenly after watering without pooling; finally, it should be rich in nutrients, which can be seen in its color - fertile soil usually appears dark brown.
Now I mix my own planting soil. After multiple experiments, I found the ideal ratio is 3:1:1 of humus soil, vermiculite, and perlite, plus one-quarter compost. This formula is golden: humus soil provides basic nutrients, vermiculite retains water and nutrients, and perlite provides good aeration. With this soil, plant roots develop exceptionally well, and the vegetables grow very healthy.
Besides basic soil, I also pay special attention to drainage. I always lay a layer of small stones or broken tiles at the bottom of each pot, followed by a layer of non-woven fabric, before adding the planting soil. This prevents soil from clogging drainage holes and ensures roots won't rot from water accumulation.
Regarding soil selection, I want to share a tip. If you're just starting to grow vegetables, you can first buy some good quality all-purpose potting soil, then try mixing your own after gaining some experience. But whatever you do, never use random soil just to save money - it's really not worth it.
Rational Planning
Speaking of planning, my experience could be written as an evolution story "from greed to rationality." When I first started growing vegetables, I was very greedy, wanting to grow every vegetable I saw, resulting in every available space on the balcony being stuffed with potted plants. The scene was like a miniature jungle, with plants barely able to breathe from being so crowded.
As a result, plants blocked each other's sunlight, and those underneath grew particularly weak due to insufficient light. Moreover, poor ventilation often led to pest problems, and once one plant got sick, it quickly spread to surrounding plants. This lesson taught me that in balcony gardening, it's better to carefully cultivate a few favorite vegetables than try to grow everything.
Now my balcony is well-organized. First is the height arrangement: I place climbing plants like cucumbers and loofah along the balcony edge, using supports to let them grow upward; medium-height plants like tomatoes and peppers go in the middle; and short leafy vegetables like lettuce and bok choy go in front. This layout ensures each plant gets enough sunlight and creates a nice layered look.
Regarding planting spacing, I also have clear standards. I maintain 50-centimeter spacing for tomatoes, giving each plant enough space to spread its branches and leaves. For bok choy and lettuce, I plant them 25 centimeters apart. For cluster-growing plants like chives and green onions, I give them 30 centimeters of growing space.
Besides plant layout, I also pay special attention to tool storage. In one corner of the balcony, I've set up a tool area where shovels, scissors, watering cans, and other tools are neatly hung on the wall, making them both accessible and space-efficient. Buckets and fertilizers are stored in a dedicated cabinet, protecting them from sun and moisture while keeping the balcony tidy.
Daily Management
Speaking of management, watering is the most basic yet easily problematic aspect. When I first started growing vegetables, I watered completely based on mood, adding a little when the soil surface looked dry, then adding more if it seemed insufficient. As a result, some plants had rotting roots from overwatering, while others wilted from lack of water.
After multiple failures, I developed a scientific watering method. First is watering time - I generally choose early morning or evening when temperatures are moderate and water won't evaporate quickly due to strong sunlight. Second is watering method - I now use the "thorough watering" approach, meaning each watering should be deep enough for water to reach the root system.
I have a simple trick for determining when to water: insert your finger 2-3 centimeters into the soil; if it feels dry, it needs watering. Different plants have different water needs - leafy vegetables like lettuce prefer moist environments, while tomatoes and peppers need slightly drier soil.
Regarding fertilization, my philosophy is "small meals, more often." I now apply liquid fertilizer every two weeks, diluted to half the standard concentration. This way, plants can continuously and steadily obtain nutrients without root burn from excess fertilization. When applying fertilizer, I'm careful not to let it directly contact plant stems and leaves to avoid damage.
Besides basic watering and fertilizing, I pay special attention to observing plant growth. Every morning I spend some time carefully checking each plant's leaf color and growth vigor for signs of pests or diseases. Once I spot a problem, I take immediate action. For example, I promptly remove yellow leaves, and if I see pest damage, I spray with soapy water - both eco-friendly and effective.
Pruning is also important management work. For plants needing training like tomatoes, I regularly remove side shoots to maintain main stem growth. For lettuce and bok choy, I thin seedlings to ensure each plant has enough growing space. After harvesting chives, I cut the remaining leaves to 5 centimeters above ground level to promote new leaf growth.
Practical Tips
These years of growing experience have led me to develop many practical tips. First is about making compost. I keep a covered compost bin in a corner of the balcony where I put organic kitchen waste like fruit peels, vegetable leaves, and coffee grounds. To speed up decomposition, I turn it regularly and maintain proper moisture. In about two to three months, this kitchen waste becomes dark brown, fragrant organic fertilizer.
I've also discovered that certain plants make good companions. For example, I plant marigolds next to tomatoes, which not only beautifies the environment but also repels pests. Planting chives and carrots together promotes mutual growth. These small details help create a healthier growing environment.
To save space, I've developed some vertical growing methods. For example, installing wall trellises for climbing plants, and using multi-level racks to grow more vegetables in limited space. I've also tried making planters from plastic bottles - not only eco-friendly but perfect for growing small herb plants.
Regarding seed selection and storage, I also have some insights. I choose dwarf varieties suitable for balcony growing, which saves space and makes harvesting easier. I store seeds in sealed bags with some desiccant in a cool, dry place. Seeds stored this way maintain good germination rates the following year.
Finally, I want to say that balcony gardening isn't just a gardening activity but a lifestyle. Watching seeds sprout, plants grow, flower, and fruit - every process is full of surprises and anticipation. The harvest isn't just fresh, delicious vegetables but a sense of solid happiness. Every time I see my home-grown vegetables on the dinner table, that sense of achievement is indescribable.
These six years of growing experience have made me deeply realize that with careful management, every balcony can become a vibrant vegetable garden. I hope my experiences can help you avoid some detours on your balcony gardening journey and soon enjoy your own garden pleasures.
