They look incredibly designer and taste even better - we are talking about herbs, of course. What's more, they're easy to grow and you can easily place them on your balcony. We guarantee that thanks to them it will be hailed as the most beautiful balcony in the area!
How to plant herbs on a balcony?
When planting herbs on a balcony we should take into account the limited space. Because of the small amount of space, it is best to choose the plants that we like the most. In fact, we don't need much - sun, water, earth, good seedlings and a separate pot for each herb. By far the most appropriate solution will be clay, which does not contain harmful lead. Place the seeds (previously stored in a dry and warm place) or seedlings in a pot where there is already some soil. After putting the seedlings, we add even more clay, but remember that we do not fill the pot to the brim with it. 80-90% of a full vessel is definitely enough. If possible, it is best to place our herbs on the south side - these plants simply love the sun.
Herbs on the balcony - types
The types of herbs sown should depend on our preferences. Fans of Italian cuisine will choose basil, oregano, thyme and parsley, supporters of French will choose tarragon, and Mexican lovers will surely bet on coriander.
Mint, which can be used in millions of ways - from tea, desserts and salads to mojito - seems to be an obligatory choice. When planting mint it is worth remembering to protect it properly, otherwise it will quickly grow and dominate other plants. Importantly, there are many species of mint. We can distinguish peppermint, lemon mint, but also chocolate, banana or strawberry mint. What greatness does mint still hide? You can easily winter it on the balcony!
Aromatic thyme, just like oregano, is ideal for fish, pasta and meat, while parsley and chives are suitable for soups, pastes and sandwiches.
Herbs on the balcony - cultivation
After placing the herbs in full sun (or possibly in a slight partial shade), care should be taken to water them regularly. Herbs planted in pots are particularly resistant to dryness or overflow, so these pots should have large holes in the bottom so that excess water can flow away freely. The herbs in the pot do not require fertilization if they are planted in fertile soil - for annual plants, the nutrients contained in garden soil are sufficient.
Do you have perennial herbs? Use natural fertilizers that introduce soil microorganisms and organic substances into the soil.
Don't forget to pruning your plants regularly. It is worth to do it before noon, necessarily on sunny days, necessarily with scissors or a sharp knife. Thanks to this, the herbs will shrub properly, the seeds will not bind, and new, constantly multiplying leaves will turn out to be impossible to count!
Overwintering plants on the balcony should be properly protected - the best way to do this is to cover the pots with polystyrene foam, sprinkle the shoots with a bark mound and wrap everything with white agro-textile.
Herbs on the balcony - when to sow?
The date of sowing depends on the type of herbs. For example, the ideal time to sow basil begins at the end of March and ends in mid-May. Mint is best sown in March (definitely!), oregano in April, while cress will be accepted all year round, regardless of the month.
