On the one hand, what vegetables are planted on the balcony depends on personal hobbies and needs, on the other hand, what vegetables are suitable for the environmental conditions of your balcony. Generally speaking, most vegetables and fruits can be planted on the balcony if space permits. The so-called balcony environmental conditions, the most important thing is the balcony orientation and balcony closure. The orientation determines the lighting conditions of the balcony, while the closeness of the balcony determines the temperature conditions of the balcony. In winter, the temperature of the fully enclosed balcony is also higher, which is less limited by temperature and has a wide range of vegetable choices. Vegetables can be planted all year round. Semi-closed or unsealed balconies, with low temperature in winter, are generally difficult to grow vegetables in winter. In summer, direct sunlight leads to high temperature, so we should also pay attention to shading and protecting vegetables.
More importantly, the orientation of the balcony. When the temperature permits, vegetables should be selected according to the balcony orientation.
Chaoyangtai is the most ideal balcony for growing vegetables, with abundant sunshine and good ventilation. Almost all vegetables grow best in sufficient sunshine, so you can plant common vegetables on the balcony facing south all year round, such as cucumber, bitter gourd, tomato, kidney bean, day lily, apricot, mustard, zucchini, green pepper, lettuce and leek. In addition, aquatic vegetables such as lotus root, water chestnut and water chestnut are also suitable for planting on the balcony facing south. In winter, most places facing Nanyang Terrace can be exposed to direct sunlight, and simple heat preservation equipment can also create a good environment for vegetable production in winter.
The balcony facing east and west is a semi-sunny slope, which is suitable for planting vegetables like onion, rape, leek, loofah, coriander and radish. However, in summer, the balcony facing the west is exposed to the sun, and the temperature is high, which causes some vegetables to be scorched by the sun, and the leaves will fall lightly and die. Therefore, it is best to plant vines and heat-resistant vegetables in the corner of the balcony. In summer, we should try our best to defend against the strong light and radiation reflected from the back floor.
The balcony facing north has almost no sunshine in a day, and the choice of vegetables is the smallest. Should choose shade-tolerant vegetables, such as lettuce, leek, asparagus, Toona sinensis, dandelion spinach, black fungus and so on. In summer, we should try our best to defend against the strong light and radiation reflected from the back floor.
Which vegetables are best for planting on the balcony?
Fast-growing vegetables with short cycle: small rapeseed, green garlic, sprouts, mustard greens, Qingjiang vegetables and oil wheat vegetables.
Vegetables with long harvest period: tomatoes, peppers, leeks, parsley, onions, etc.
Space-saving vegetables: carrots, radishes, lettuce, onions, ginger and parsley.
Vegetables easy to grow: bitter gourd, carrot, ginger, onion, lettuce and Chinese cabbage.
Insect-resistant vegetables: onion, leek, sweet potato leaves, ginseng grass, aloe and Ceratophyllum.
As a beginner, you can choose vegetables or lettuce that are easy to grow. For example, Qingjiang vegetable and Youmai vegetable, two kinds of fast-growing lettuce, can be planted all year round, and can be harvested in about five or six weeks when they grow rapidly. Bitter gourd, onion, ginger, etc. It has strong adaptability and a special taste, so insects don't like to get close, and they can grow well without pesticides and fertilizers.