Introduction

Recently, I've been seeing lots of balcony gardening content on social media. Seeing others' lush little vegetable gardens on their balconies really makes me envious! As a veteran balcony gardener who has been learning through trial and error for several years, I've finally accumulated quite a bit of experience. Today, I'd like to share the lessons learned and experiences gained over these years to help those who want to start their balcony gardening journey avoid some common pitfalls.

To be honest, I was a complete novice at first, not even able to tell if soil was wet or dry. But after years of practice, my balcony garden has become quite famous in the neighborhood, making my neighbors very envious. The sense of achievement when harvesting fresh vegetables is truly indescribable!

Location Planning

Choosing the right location is crucial! I made a big mistake during my first attempt at growing vegetables. I thought any balcony would work for growing vegetables, but I completely overlooked the critical factor of sunlight exposure time. The vegetable seedlings I nurtured for a month ended up growing thin and weak due to insufficient light, ultimately resulting in total failure.

Now I advise everyone to do their homework first. Take out your phone, download a sun tracking app, or simply observe and record yourself. I spent an entire week observing the sunlight conditions on my balcony every morning, noon, and evening. Divide your balcony into sections and note the sunlight duration for each spot. You might think it's too troublesome, but trust me, this preliminary work will make vegetable growing much more efficient later on.

I'm very fortunate that my balcony faces south, with sunlight streaming in from 9 AM until 3 PM. These conditions are perfect for growing vegetables! But don't be discouraged if your balcony's orientation isn't ideal. My next-door neighbor has an east-facing balcony, and she specializes in growing vegetables that don't require as much sunlight, like lettuce, spinach, cilantro, and chives, which all grow lush and green.

When planning your growing areas, you also need to consider ventilation. I once tried growing tomatoes in a corner of the balcony, but the leaves often got moldy due to poor air circulation. Now I place tall plants like tomatoes and cucumbers in well-ventilated locations. Shorter leafy vegetables can be placed closer to the wall.

Different plants also require consideration of their growth habits. Climbing plants like loofah and cucumber should be planted where they have supports to climb on. I often use my balcony railings as supports, which is both economical and practical. As for plants with extensive root systems, like potatoes and radishes, they need deeper pots.

Soil Preparation

When it comes to growing vegetables, soil is the most important factor. At first, I thought any potting soil would do, but the vegetables either grew very slowly or rotted away. Later I learned that soil selection requires careful consideration.

Good vegetable growing soil should be as soft as a sponge cake. You can try squeezing a handful of soil - if it falls apart too easily, it's too loose; if it's sticky like dough, it's too heavy. The ideal state is when it forms a clump when squeezed but breaks apart easily when touched.

After countless experiments and failures, I finally found the perfect formula: garden soil, humus, and vermiculite mixed in a 3:5:2 ratio. Garden soil provides the foundation and basic nutrients; humus is rich in organic matter and improves soil structure; vermiculite increases soil aeration and water retention.

Besides these basic ingredients, I also add some organic fertilizers. I used to buy compound fertilizers directly, but later found that making my own compost is more environmentally friendly and economical. I collect kitchen waste like vegetable leaves, fruit peels, and coffee grounds, and let them ferment in a corner of the balcony. In about a month, they turn into excellent organic fertilizer.

Properly storing the prepared soil is also important. I store excess soil in breathable woven bags in a cool, dry place. If storing on the balcony, it's best to cover it with shade cloth to prevent soil compaction from direct sunlight.

Speaking of filling pots, there's a trick here too. Many beginners fill their pots to the brim, but this isn't correct. I always leave 2-3 centimeters of space when filling soil. This prevents water from overflowing when watering and leaves space for soil aeration.

Before filling with soil, don't forget to add a layer of drainage material at the bottom of the pot. I most commonly use broken ceramic particles or pebbles. If you think these materials are too expensive, broken bricks are also a good choice. The key is to ensure good drainage to prevent root rot.

Watering Techniques

Watering is truly a skill that needs to be developed gradually. When I first started growing vegetables, I thought more water was fine, but ended up drowning many plants. Looking back, it was such a waste. Later I discovered that rather than looking at surface soil moisture, it's better to feel the soil by inserting your finger.

I've now developed a habit of inserting my finger 2-3 centimeters into the soil every morning. If the soil feels cool and moist, no watering is needed; if it feels dry, watering is necessary. Different vegetables have different water requirements. Leafy vegetables like lettuce and greens prefer consistently moist soil, while fruiting vegetables like tomatoes and peppers shouldn't get too much water, as this can cause fruit splitting.

Timing of watering is also important. In summer, I usually water in the early morning or evening. The strong midday sun can scald plant roots if watered then. In winter, choose to water during the sunniest part of the day so water doesn't linger too long around plant roots, preventing root rot.

Last summer, I discovered a particularly useful trick. Placing a coffee filter at the bottom of the pot not only prevents soil loss through drainage holes but also maintains proper moisture levels. This method really saves time and effort, and I highly recommend it to everyone.

If daily watering seems too troublesome, you might consider buying an automatic irrigation system. There are many affordable and effective automatic watering devices on Taobao now, costing just one or two hundred yuan. I bought one last year - you can set the watering time and amount, so you don't have to worry about plants dying of thirst when you're away on business trips.

Another labor-saving method is using homemade hydroponic systems. I cut mineral water bottles in half, invert the top half, fill the bottom half with water, and connect them with cotton string. This way, plants can absorb water as needed, which is perfect for lazy gardeners.

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