Summer may be over, but the gardening year continues, because there are still numerous opportunities for growing vegetables in autumn and winter. Even if we don't have our own backyard, that's no reason to be disappointed, because if you want to grow your own fruits and vegetables, you don't necessarily need a big garden. Even with limited space, we can still enjoy home-grown produce that is much more delicious and cost-effective. There are numerous types of vegetables that can tolerate severe frost and are therefore perfect for sowing in autumn and winter. Would you like to have some gardening fun this year? Then you've come to the right place! Which winter vegetables can we grow on the balcony and what should we pay particular attention to? You can find the answers to this in our article!
Winter vegetables on the balcony: This is what you should pay attention to when growing them
If you want to grow winter vegetables on the balcony, you should follow several tips, because even small mistakes can ruin our harvest. And after all, we don’t want that, do we?
- The right locationis crucial for growing vegetables on the balcony. Even hardy plants need enough light to thrive. Southeast and southwest locations are considered optimal. You should also not underestimate the wind, as it can cause significant damage such as broken branches.
- The right planters –If you want to grow winter vegetables on the balcony, you should also think about the planters. For a rich harvest, vegetables need enough space for their roots. Some vegetables, on the other hand, tend to grow taller and in this case you need a trellis. Balcony boxes and wooden shelves are ideal for anyone who wants to grow as many plants as possible on the balcony.
By September at the latest, most hobby gardeners ask themselves:Which vegetables in autumn?could you plant? You don't necessarily need a large garden to grow your own vegetables and there are actually many vegetables that grow just as well on the balcony in autumn and winter.
Grow chard on the balcony
Often underestimated, but particularly healthy and full of vitamins and minerals - chard enriches our kitchen and is a very good choice for sowing in autumn and winter. The vegetables are quite robust and can even tolerate some night frost - ideal for all hobby gardeners who want to plant winter vegetables on the balcony. The chard thrives best in a sunny to partially shaded location and likes moist, nutrient-rich soil. You can harvest chard just 8 to 10 weeks after sowing. Once the leaves have grown to around 15-20 cm large, you can cut them off at the stem with a sharp knife. To be able to harvest chard several times, leave the heart leaves in the middle.
Grow kohlrabi in autumn and winter
Most amateur gardenersbuild kohlrabimainly in spring. But what most people don't know is that the crunchy vegetables can also be planted again for harvest in the cooler season. Kohlrabi grows very well in plant bags and pots, making it the perfect vegetable for growing on the balcony in autumn and winter. However, when planting, you should pay attention to the fact that the tubers need more space to grow. Kohlrabi loves a sunny place, but can also thrive in partial shade. In the second case, the tubers remain a little smaller, but taste just as good. You just need to be careful when watering kohlrabi, because if it doesn't get enough water, it will become woody. However, if we water too much, the tubers can burst open.
Growing winter vegetables on the balcony: beetroot
With a nutty taste and full of healthy nutrients and vitamins - beetroot is another vegetable that you could grow on the balcony in autumn. It can tolerate some frost and even grow outside until the end of November, so we can enjoy a great harvest even in the cold season. The first tubers are ready to harvest just 50-60 days after sowing. However, beetroot needs a lot of water and thorough watering is an absolute must on dry days. For optimal growth, plant the beets in containers approximately 20 cm deep and ensure regular fertilization with compost.
Growing carrots on the balcony
As long as you choose the right varieties, you can also grow carrots as a winter vegetable on the balcony. Small baby carrots, for example, would be ideal for this, as the normal varieties need significantly more space for the roots to grow. Once carrots have been exposed to a bit of frost, they taste even sweeter and more delicious. Carrots are a root vegetable and no matter which variety you choose, you should grow them in a pot or container that has enough space to grow and thrive. Also make sure to keep at least 20cm between each seed.
Growing radishes on the balcony
Radishes are undoubtedly the perfect vegetable to grow on the balcony in autumn and winter. All they need to grow is an airy location with a few hours of sunshine a day and loose potting soil. It is best to plant radishes in small flower boxes in a row about 3 cm apart. The crunchy vegetables are particularly easy to care for and are ready to harvest after just 30 days.
We have what you can sow in summersummarized here.
