For those of you who love taking care of plants, we are sure you like having them on the balcony as well. However, the problem with this usually lies in the fact that they can die out during the cold winter months.
In this article, we wanted to give you some
advice and tips on how you can take care of those plants in the winter. If you
do everything right, and with a little bit of luck, your balcony plants will be
completely fine, no matter the cold!
How
to Be Good at Winter Gardening
In the past, only people with big gardens
were able to have plants. Today, it’s all very different as even people in
apartments can keep plants all year round. That’s especially true for people
with balconies.
What’s more, you can grow annuals,
perennials, small trees, shrubs, and even vegetables
in your apartment today! You only need to learn how.
First of all, you need to know which pots
are right for your plants. You should know that materials like concrete,
ceramic, and terra cotta are not going to do well in the cold. It’s best to opt
for fiberglass or polyethylene pots with drainage holes. These materials don't
only survive the cold, but they are also more practical as they are very
lightweight. Additionally, you should make sure that your pots are some 18 to
24 inches wide as plants do better in larger containers.
Make sure you place the pots in pot feet.
By keeping the plants well above the ground, you’ll make sure they have proper
air circulation. It will also ensure that excess moisture leaves through the
drainage holes.
As for the ground, each plant has its own
preference. However, you should make sure you fill your pots with soil and then
add a layer of mulch. That will ensure that no mold and excess moisture ruins
the plants. However, if you have the right compost and drainage holes on your
pots, you can avoid the moisture problem. Also, make sure you fill the
containers up to the rim.
Some plants simply
can’t live in the cold, so you’ll have to keep them inside during the winter. However,
you must keep them somewhere where they can get enough light to survive.
It’s good to prepare plants for the winter.
You can do that by continuing to water them regularly throughout the fall, as
this reduces new growth, which is the most vulnerable in cold weather.
As for watering in the winter, it's important
not to overdo it. The excess water can kill the roots of the plants. It's vital
to keep it just slightly moist so the roots don’t dry out. Additionally, before
the first freezing temperatures, you should water the plants well. Then you can
continue to add some water whenever the temperatures rise above 4 degrees C (40
degrees F).
The
Bottom Line
As you can see, there’s always a way to
keep your plants alive, even during harsh conditions. All you need to do is
follow the advice we gave you, and you should be fine. And if you have a green
thumb, you’ll do great.
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