You don't need a lot of farmland to have your own orchard. Nothing transforms an urban balcony or patio into a green paradise like an orchard of potted fruits, especially when they're blooming, buzzing with pollinating bees, or dripping with fruit. Even if outdoor space is limited, a patio or balcony can be used to grow an abundance of fresh fruit all season long. In addition to the floor, railings, walls and ceilings can also be used, with clever pots that either hang from the railing or stand above it, tiered stands, vertical gardens and hanging planters. Start growing fruit on your balcony or terrace today - we'll show you which varieties are suitable!
How to grow fruit in pots or containers
Fruit plants do well in pots as long as they are grown on a dwarf rootstock - any specialist retailer can help you choose the right types of fruit for your snacking balcony if you are unsure. You can then plant fruit trees, for example, in a pot with a diameter of at least 30 cm and a depth of 30 cm. You can opt for different pots or containers: halved wooden barrels, terracotta pots, plastic planters, rubber tubs orold baskets.
fruit trees,Shrubs and plantsthose in pots require more regular watering and feeding than those planted in the ground. Keep your fruit in pots well watered and fed. In all cases, drainage holes must be drilled in the bottom of containers and pots if they do not already have them, and the containers should be tied to some sort of support, as a fruit tree in full bloom can be very sensitive to wind.
Since fruit plants are intended to live for many years, it is best to plant them in potting soil that releases nutrients slowly. Place them in a sunny spot for a really good, sweet harvest.
The best varieties for balconies and terraces
Grow an apple tree in a container
Our first tip for the perfect snacking balcony is the popular apple (Malus domestica). Choose dwarf apple varieties for pot growing and check whether the chosen plant is self-fertile or requires a partner tree to bear fruit. Your pot should be at least 50cm wide. Apples are relatively hardy, so you should grow them in a sunny spot on your balcony. The delicious dessert varieties of this balcony fruit include “Gala,” “Fuji,” and “Honeycrisp,” all of which can cross-pollinate. Or try “Pink Lady,” as well as the scab-resistant “Topaz” and “Rajka,” and the yellow-skinned “Luna” and “Sirius.” Many of these varieties are hardy and make perfect fruit-bearing plantsPrivacy hedge also on your terrace.
Balcony fruit – plant strawberries
When it comes to fruits in a small space, the strawberry is the most suitable. It can be grown as an annual plant in any climate. These popular berries (Fragaria × pineapple) are very easy to cultivate. So much so that they sometimes become invasive if left to their own devices outdoors. It's best to put them inbuckets and potsto prevent them from spreading beyond their original planting location. Strawberries also work great in hanging pots or planters that allow the berries to hang over the sides. Make sure the depth of the container is about 12 cm.
Delicious blueberries as fruit for the balcony
blueberries (Cyanococcus)are ideal for growing in containers as they love acidic soil andother plantsare unlikely to thrive in the same soil in your fruit and vegetable garden. You can even plant these fruits in hanging baskets. A small container about 12 inches in diameter is sufficient to start with, but soon your young blueberry bush will need more space.
An eye-catcher – the lemon in the pot
A dwarf lemon plant (Citrus × limon) can be the best eye-catcher on your terrace. It impresses with shiny, elongated leaves, fragrant flowers and juicy fruits. Lemon is the perfect fruit to grow indoors and is also well suited to your outdoor space. The biggest challenge is providing the plant with enough moisture, especially if you live in an area with cold, dry winters. Misting daily with a spray bottle or placing the plant near a humidifier are ways to create an ideal climate. Choose dwarf citrus plants that are self-pollinating. Once the weather warms up, you can move your citrus trees outdoors through the summer.
Growing fruit on the balcony – sweet apricot
Since dwarf apricots (Prunus armeniaca) don't grow very tall, they are perfect for growing in a patio pot. They are hardy during dormancy, but because they bloom early in the spring, the flowers are susceptible to frost damage. Bring the tree indoors during flowering when frost is forecast, or cover it with garden fabric if it is against a wall.
Dwarf peach tree as balcony fruit
You can measure the height of a dwarf peach tree (Prunus persica) and enjoy home-grown peaches in your terrace garden. Cultivation is also easy. Give it full sun and protect the fruit with fleece. Anyone who has ever tasted the first ripe peach straight from their own tree will never be able to get away from it. As with all potted fruit trees, you should make sure you buy a tree with suitable dwarf rootstock. Such trees can be grown free-standing in pots and require little pruning. Unfortunately, there is peach leaf disease, which is oneunpleasant fungal diseaseis. So if you find a dwarf variety that is resistant to this disease, you should buy it.
