How To Make An Herb Garden Balcony

Assess Your Situation

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man looking at unplanted plants on apartment balcony

Assess Your Situation

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Before you do anything, take a close look at your <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/balcony-front-porch-design-ideas-1938698/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">balcony space</a>. How much room do you have for containers? Plan out your garden design before you buy any supplies or plant anything. It's also important to know yourself: if you're <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/renovations/photos/stop-procrastinating-home-reno-1909085/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">the kind of person who begins a big project but never finishes</a>, set yourself up for success by starting on the smaller side — maybe even with just one or two potted herbs. Related: <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/the-ultimate-herb-guide-varieties-and-best-uses/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Ultimate Herb Guide: Varieties and Best Uses</a>

OutdoorsCreate a DIY Planter Box (and Other Balcony Gardening Ideas)

Assess Your Situation

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woman caring for plants on balcony

Soak up the Sun

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It's a fact of life: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/indoor-plants-thrive-low-light-1912891/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">plants need light to grow</a>, so it's critical to ensure your balcony has enough sun to help your herbs grow. This varies depending on what you're growing, but most herbs need at least six hours of sunlight each day. If your balcony has only partial sun, plant herbs that do well in a bit of shade, like parsley. Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/whats-wrong-with-my-plant-1914213/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">What's Wrong With My Plant?</a>

OutdoorsCreate a DIY Planter Box (and Other Balcony Gardening Ideas)

Soak up the Sun

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What Do You Want to Grow?

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cropped view of hands planting basil plant in pot

What Do You Want to Grow?

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This is the fun part: deciding what exactly you're going to grow. There are a wide variety of herbs you could try, but my advice is to choose mostly herbs that you know you like (and that you'll actually use) — and maybe go for one variety that you've never tried. You never know: basil could be your new favourite food! Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/backyard-balcony-how-to-build-your-own-greenhouse-1936933/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">From Backyard to Balcony: How to Build Your Own Greenhouse</a>

OutdoorsCreate a DIY Planter Box (and Other Balcony Gardening Ideas)

What Do You Want to Grow?

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woman planting herbs together in planter

Buddy System

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If you're using a larger planter for your herbs, be careful when deciding which to plant together — you'll want to group herbs that thrive in a similar environment (sun-loving herbs like sage, rosemary and thyme work great in one container, for example) and keep invasive herbs like mint on their own. Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/diy/blog/diy-indoor-herb-garden-easy-1946113/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">This DIY Indoor Herb Garden Can Be Made in Six Easy Steps</a>

OutdoorsCreate a DIY Planter Box (and Other Balcony Gardening Ideas)

Buddy System

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gardening and potting supplies on table

Get Equipped

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Now that you know what you want to grow and where you want to grow it, it's time to gear up for the job. You'll need something to plant your herbs in (containers, pots or even a DIY planter like <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/backyard-builds/photos/couple-living-with-in-laws-build-backyard-sports-bar-to-hide-in-1897779/#currentSlide=10" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">these</a> that Sarah made for Backyard Builds), soil, fertilizer, a small shovel or trowel, a watering can and the herb seeds or seedlings you want to plant. Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/organic-gardening-what-when-to-plant-1927482/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Organic Gardening: What and When to Plant</a>

OutdoorsCreate a DIY Planter Box (and Other Balcony Gardening Ideas)

Get Equipped

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woman arranging plants in planter

Space Out

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Remember, plants need their space. Always read the seed pack (or planting instructions if you started from a seedling) and follow the directions for spacing for each particular plant so you don't risk overcrowding. Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/how-to-keep-your-plants-alive-while-youre-on-vacation-1927570/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How to Keep Your Plants Alive While You're on Vacation</a>

OutdoorsCreate a DIY Planter Box (and Other Balcony Gardening Ideas)

Space Out

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young gardener in a small garden on the balcony

Soil Studies

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You don't necessarily need special dirt to DIY a herb garden (potting soil designed for growing in containers should do the trick), but it's important that you pay attention to the soil's quality and drainage. The roots of herbs that are <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/native-plants-in-canada-by-province-1938068/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">native</a> to hot, Mediterranean climates (like rosemary or lavender) need a well-drained, sandier soil or they're prone to rot. If your soil isn't up to snuff, consider adding compost or fertilizer to help. Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/blog/gross-ingredients-that-are-surprisingly-great-for-your-compost-1896675/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gross Ingredients That Are Surprisingly Great for Your Compost</a>

OutdoorsCreate a DIY Planter Box (and Other Balcony Gardening Ideas)

Soil Studies

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woman preparing soil to plant balcony garden

Herb-Planting 101

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Before you plant your herbs, prepare the soil for success. Start by checking that your containers have drainage holes (if they don't, add them to the bottom). Next, mark where you plan to plant each herb (based on the appropriate spacing you've pre-determined). If you're using seedlings, plant each and cover the rootballs with a bit more soil. Water the planted herbs to help them settle and add more potting soil if needed. Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/blog/4-essentials-for-a-truly-inviting-condo-balcony-1899579/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">4 Essentials for a Truly Inviting Condo Balcony</a>

OutdoorsCreate a DIY Planter Box (and Other Balcony Gardening Ideas)

Herb-Planting 101

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labelled herbs in pots on table

Mark Your Work

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Even if you have a photographic memory, it's a good idea to label your herbs (especially if you're growing from seed). If you know what you're dealing with, you'll be better equipped to care for each type of plant as it grows. Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/diy/blog/tiffany-pratts-diy-garden-labels-1916351/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Make Your Garden Shine With These Rainbow-Bright DIY Plant Markers</a>

OutdoorsCreate a DIY Planter Box (and Other Balcony Gardening Ideas)

Mark Your Work

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young man looking at balcony plants

Prepare for Pests

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It's sort of inevitable: when you grow something, you're also putting the call out for pests — but don't let that scare you away from gardening! There are <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/how-to-keep-pests-out-of-your-lawn-and-garden-using-natural-products-1928268/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">plenty of natural ways to keep pests out of your garden</a>. It's a good idea to check for common pests (and how to avoid them) for the specific herbs you're planning to grow, so that you can be prepared from the start. You can also <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/how-to-keep-pests-out-of-your-lawn-and-garden-using-natural-products-1928268/#currentSlide=11" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">use the trimmings of herbs like rosemary, sage and lavender as a natural way to keep pests away</a> from your other plants.

OutdoorsCreate a DIY Planter Box (and Other Balcony Gardening Ideas)

Prepare for Pests

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Don't Forget the Water

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woman in hat watering plants on balcony

Don't Forget the Water

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I know that this may seem obvious, but it's also the easiest way to ruin a perfectly planted herb garden — you have to water it. How often? It depends on what you're growing, but generally you should water your herbs whenever the soil is dry, which is likely once or twice a day (more often when it's hot outside). Keep in mind that plants like water, but they also like to dry between waterings. It's a cycle — if plants are always wet or always dry, they won't survive — so set reminders on your phone so that you don't forget to check. Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/how-to-set-up-a-hydroponic-garden-in-your-home-1937167/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How to Set up a Hydroponic Garden in Your Home</a>

OutdoorsCreate a DIY Planter Box (and Other Balcony Gardening Ideas)

Don't Forget the Water

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woman harvesting herbs in garden

Harvest Away

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Now that you've grown an amazing balcony herb garden, it's time to eat! The best time to harvest your herbs is in the late morning (after any dew has dried) when they're at their freshest. Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/exotic-plants-trees-canadian-1938389/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">15 Exotic Plants and Trees That Are Surprisingly Canadian</a>

OutdoorsCreate a DIY Planter Box (and Other Balcony Gardening Ideas)

Harvest Away

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woman in balcony garden

Prune Regularly

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Good maintenance is key to keeping your home in order — and the same goes for your herb garden. <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/outdoor-renos-stress-free-summer-1917166/#currentSlide=6" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Just as you'd prune your bushes and trees</a>, regularly prune your herbs to help extend the length of their harvest.

OutdoorsCreate a DIY Planter Box (and Other Balcony Gardening Ideas)

Prune Regularly

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man planting in containers on balcony

Coffee Break

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If you know that you're going to eventually swap pots, <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/weird-plant-tips-for-your-home-and-garden-that-work-1917397/#currentSlide=3" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">make the move easier on yourself by using this trick</a>: put a coffee filter in the soil before you plant your herb (of course, still cover it with soil). When it's time to make the switch to a new, bigger pot, you'll have a much easier time. If you're truly a coffee lover, there are also a few other ways to <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/weird-plant-tips-for-your-home-and-garden-that-work-1917397/#currentSlide=4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">repurpose your old coffee grounds</a> to help your garden grow.

OutdoorsCreate a DIY Planter Box (and Other Balcony Gardening Ideas)

Coffee Break

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man standing by wall of container plants

Go Vertical

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Whether you're growing herbs or anything on a smaller balcony, if space is an issue, change directions — literally. Creating a vertical gardening setup makes the most of a compact space and works well when growing smaller plants like herbs. If you want to DIY a vertical garden, <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/backyard-builds/videos/diy-vertical-gardens/185acc92-7d9c-11ea-99ea-0242ac110006/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">check out this video for three ideas from Sarah and I</a>. Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/diy/photos/diy-how-to-make-your-own-living-wall-1927688/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">DIY: How to Make Your Own Living Wall</a>

OutdoorsCreate a DIY Planter Box (and Other Balcony Gardening Ideas)

Go Vertical

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Flower Power

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Photo Credit: Stephanie Foden Source: www.stephaniefoden.com

If a herb garden or vertical garden isn't your speed, opt for a variety of flowers in <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/container-gardening-guide-1937119/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">containers</a> on your balcony. It is a timeless balcony gardening idea that'll never go out of style. Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/balcony-front-porch-design-ideas-1938698/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">15 Balcony and Front Porch Design Ideas We Want to Steal</a>

OutdoorsCreate a DIY Planter Box (and Other Balcony Gardening Ideas)

Flower Power

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Photo Credit: Stephanie Foden Source: www.stephaniefoden.com