Balcony gardeners can draw on an almost inexhaustible pool of suitable balcony plant species for every season. Of course, the chosen flowers, perennials and shrubs only meet the high expectations if they are planted correctly. These instructions explain how to do it professionally in 6 steps.

A drainage layer should be placed in the balcony box as the bottom layer

Step 1: How many plants fit in a balcony box?

Flower boxes (€16.99) come in a variety of shapes and lengths. Regardless of the huge selection of plants, the following rules of thumb have proven themselves in practice:

  • Box length 80 cm: 4 to 5 plants
  • Box length 100 cm: 6 to 8 plants
  • Box length 120 cm: 9 to 12 plants

In the pot you create a decorative appearance with a dominant key plant in the center, with small and drooping plants at its feet.

Step 2: Create drainage

To protect against waterlogging, flower boxes and tubs have holes in the bottom. Drainage prevents the openings from becoming clogged with soil. Therefore, spread out a 3 to 5 cm layer of potsherds, pebbles or expanded clay (19.73€) on the bottom of the container.

Step 3: Prepare plants

Your balcony plants will grow better with a well-moistened root ball. Place the still potted bales in a bowl of water. If no more air bubbles rise, the substrate is sufficiently saturated with moisture.

Step 4: Insert flowers, perennials or shrubs

Fill flower boxes (€16.99) or tubs halfway up with potting soil. Then pull the culture pots from the root ball and place the plants evenly distributed on the substrate. Please use this opportunity to carefully pull apart heavily compacted root balls to give the roots more space.

Step 5: Fill in the substrate

Use your hands or a hand shovel to fill in the soil around the root ball and press it down. The substrate surface should reach two fingers below the edge of the container. This pouring rim prevents pouring or rainwater from spilling over later.

Step 6: Water generously

Finally, water your balcony plants generously. Please let the water run onto the substrate until it runs out of the bottom openings.

tips

Freshly planted balcony plants can help themselves to a rich nutrient buffet in the pre-fertilized substrate. The reserves of nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and trace elements are completely sufficient for the period of 6 to 8 weeks. The flowers, perennials and shrubs are only fertilized for the first time after this waiting period has expired.

Category:

Indoor plants