Raised bed for balconyoffer the opportunity for gardening even if a garden is not available. These functional systems are highly valued, especially when living in big cities, as they are easy to maintain and promise a better harvest than a garden bed. As an alternative to the garden area, the raised bed can be planned and designed according to individual wishes and the space available.
Raised bed for balcony – tips and ideas for assembly and cultivation
Raised beds differ from flat beds in their higher construction and internal structure. Layer system from the floor ensures the best possible conditions within the solid frame constructionVegetable growingor varied planting.
Raised bed for balcony - growing vegetables and flowers possible when space is limited
Advantages of oneraised bedfor balcony:
- enables gardening in the city
- The shape and material of the system can be individually selected
- The plants are easier to care for and more protected thanks to the elevated location
- Pests and vermin find it difficult to reach the inside of the bed
- no fertilizing
- Two to three times higher harvest than on a flat bed of the same size in the garden
Build your own raised bed for the balcony – height and size according to your individual wishes
A raised bed can be made of wood, stone or gabionsbuild yourselfand plant. The comfortable height for further gardening work is 80 to 100 centimeters and this eliminates the need to constantly bend over when gardening.
Build or buy a raised bed for your balcony yourself – alternativelyPlant bags or substrate bags
There is a wide variety of space-saving raised beds on the market - the conventional ones made of wood, thin sheet metal or those made of fabric - plant bags for wall mounting or substrate bags. Plant bags come in numerous shapes and colors and have become an integral part of urban gardening. You can turn used jute bags and old potato sacks into plant bags, but these DIY bags can only be used for one season. The modern plant bag variants on the market have been optimized in terms of many aspects such as drainage, cold and heat protection, choice of materials and design and impress with their extremely robust and high-quality workmanship.
Build and create your own raised bed - close-meshed wire at the bottom displaces weeds
You can build a raised bed yourself relatively easily. In principle, it is a huge flower box made of any material, usually wood, but also metal or plastic. It is very important to preserve the moisture and nutrients in the raised bed and not let it leak out, which is why it is recommended to cover the side walls from the inside with pond liner or fleece and to spread a fine-meshed wire at the bottom of the system to prevent voles.
Build your own raised bed – cover the side walls with fleece
A raised bed is a maximum of 120 centimeters wide, so that you could easily reach the middle. A reasonable bed should be at least 200 centimeters long so that the soil can be shoveled out and replaced later, after 5-6 years.
Build your own compact raised bed for the balcony - container made of metal
Raised bed tablesare another option for growing plants when space is limited. The design should definitely be made of impregnated wood and be sturdy. Discarded tables are also suitable for this purpose and can be converted into real raised beds for balconies with a bit of craftsmanship and suitable boards.
Frame construction made of wood and side walls made of sheet metal
Setting up a raised bed takes a good two days, but once finished there is only one real disadvantage - increased water consumption on hot days.
The bestTime for setupof a raised bed is in autumn or spring. In the spring there would be more material to fill with pruning and could be used to supplement the soil in the system.
Raised bed with plants as a privacy screen
DieAlignmentThe balcony on which the raised bed is placed plays an important role in choosing suitable plants that will later be grown indoors. The only disadvantage is a shady location. A good working height and more planting space in the balcony box guarantee a comfortable and rich harvest.
Planting – ornamental plants or flowers
The preliminary considerations as to which plants should be added to the raised bed for the balcony are important for the appearance and at the same time for the substrate. In principle, the material becomes increasingly finer towards the top and the individual layers are 20 to 30 centimeters. Coarse branches and small pieces of roots are placed on the wire mesh at the bottom of the box, followed by thinner branches, on top of which sod is placed or if there is none available - a thin blanket or fleece. Leaves, shrub residues, grass clippings and raw compost are distributed on top and filled up to the edge with soil mixture.
Raised bed for balcony – mobile, functional and space-saving
When planting the raised bed, only smaller types of vegetables and ornamental plants can be considered, and space-consuming species, such as zucchini and pumpkins, scare away other plants. The selected varieties can be sown directly into the bed or planted as young plants. So that all plants get enough light, the tall ones are placed in the middle, and the low ones - at the edge.
Raised bed for a comfortable working height without bending over
It is important to choose between ornamental or useful plants, as there should be enough space between them, and this is not always available. In the first year, plant species that require more nutrients can be grown, and in the second – predominantly herbs.
Plant lettuces in raised beds
The crucial prerequisite for a rich harvest is the right time for sowing. On most seed packages there is a reference for the appropriate period according to the variety. If the weather is unfavorable, you should avoid sowing in cold and wet soil. Basically, depending on the plant, the main planting and harvesting time is between February and October.
Herb garden in raised bed for balcony
Combining different plants and growing them in the same raised bed has several advantages. Pests always have a preference for a particular variety and are lured away by others. Mixed cultures provide variety among the plants and delight with different flowering and harvest times.
Mixed cultures in raised beds for balconies
The following vegetables and herbs are recommended for cultivation in the first year:
- Eggplant, cucumbers, leeks, tomatoes, celery, potatoes
Grow small ornamental plants in raised beds
In the second year they opt for the so-called middle feeder (they need slightly fewer nutrients):
- Fennel, carrots, garlic, peppers, radishes, salads, beetroot, onions
From the third year onwards you will mainly grow herbs, peas, beans and strawberries.
Flowers in the raised bed for the balcony - hibiscus
If you only want to plant flowers in the raised bed, you should fill it with humus-rich potting soil and choose flower varieties that are not too large, as the area in the bed box is limited. Similar to growing vegetables, it is recommended to choose medium and low-eating plants in the second and third years.
Daisies and chrysanthemums in the raised bed for the balcony
The following are suitable for planting in the first year:
- Chrysanthemums, geraniums, sunflowers, tulips
In the second year:
- Dahlias, gloxinias, snapdragons
And from the third year:
- Azaleas, begonias, petunias, primroses, pansies
Build your own space-saving raised bed made of wood – convert discarded wooden furniture
A raised bed for a balcony can also be easily built yourself from old furniture and objects. A ladder and drawers, for example, create a practical plant staircase for flowers and herbs. If you haven't gotten your hands on a wooden ladder yet or the drawers aren't wide enough, you can also use a few wooden slats.
If you use slats, they must first be cut to size. Saw two slats 110 cm long (for the rear frame) and two slats 112 cm long (for the slanted legs at the front).
If the drawers or boxes are not exactly the same width, you can spread the narrower one with scraps of wood on the sides. Pre-drill the holes for the slats. When you plant the drawers, you should also drill a few holes in the bottom to prevent waterlogging.
Place one of the shorter slats on the back edge of the drawer front and screw it in place with two screws. Now attach the slanted leg to the drawers. Turn the construction over and repeat all steps on the other side. Make sure that the distance between the slats on the top and bottom boxes is the same on both sides.
Functional ideas for raised beds – mobile flower box on wheels
A raised bed on wheels is a practical thing because it can be easily moved if necessary if it gets in someone's way. If the wheels are not available when you purchase them, you can easily install them later. Just make sure that they are not too small and can support the weight of the raised bed filled with soil.
Raised bed for balcony – arrange and place plant species in a manageable manner
It's not just climbing plants like clematis that would like to have a trellis that they can climb up. Some vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, beans and peas also need something to hold on to. Pumpkins generally grow on the ground, but there are also varieties that need climbing support. There are many designs that are well suited as a climbing aid for vegetables: plant sticks, climbing nets, spiral rods, ropes, etc. Whether purchased or made yourself, the climbing aid must fit the location and planting in size and shape.
Bamboo sticks are a good material for climbing aids. They are stable, weatherproof and, above all, light. However, one disadvantage that can be mentioned is that they rot quickly. For beans and peas, you can put together a teepee using 4 to 5 bamboo sticks. They are worked into the ground and then attached higher up. Alternatively, you can simply use straight sticks.
Design the roof terrace as a sunny garden
If you are one of the lucky ones who has a roof terrace, then it is worth creating a kitchen garden. This sunny spot is ideal for heat-loving vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and cucumbers. Of course you can also try out other cultures. Particularly suitable culinary herbs are basil, savory, mint, thyme and rosemary. Regular watering of the plants is crucial for good success. Automatic irrigation systems are ideal here. These make work much easier and also reduce water consumption.
