Tips from Biffen!

This is Biffen, Punk Garden's mascot. He has a slightly rebellious DIY approach to cultivation and his urban balcony oasis is at the center. He is nice and happy to share his green secrets at any time. He is really passionate about making cultivation hardcore and sees it as the ultimate revolution.
His rallying cry is: Grow or die!
Do you have questions about cultivation?
Email Biffen directly at biffen@punkgarden.com

Get started

Managing a garden is a bit of a luxury, but not all of us can be blessed with a large plot of land. You may be a balcony owner and perhaps feel a little annoyed at those who have a garden with all its perks. But don't worry!

You can get the same magical garden feeling on your balcony. Just find a nice looking pot, throw in some soil, push down a seed and voilà – you're good to go. But how do you grow spices, berries and vegetables yourself on the balcony? The steak has the tips, so hang in there and get some tricks you might need to succeed.

Before you get started with your green oasis on the balcony, check the rules of the game with the housing association to avoid any hassles. When planning your green revolution, consider the location and atmosphere of your balcony. Sun, wind and rain affect the choice of crops. For vegetables and spices, sun and heat are a given.

Go all in with large pots for your green plants. Skimping on the space can inhibit growth and nutrient uptake. Invest in high-end soil and fertilizer, tailored to the balcony lifestyle. It gives your plants good nutrition and retains moisture for longer.

Don't wait too long before pulling the pots out – when the risk of frost is over, it's go time. If the balcony is glazed, you can start the cultivation earlier, but keep an eye on the weather. With these simple tips, you can quickly become the balcony's green guru and create a summer oasis that knocks everyone over.

 

Spices

Add flavor to the balcony with your own spices - it's something that really kicks up the cooking! Spices are both fun and budget-friendly to grow on the balcony. There is something special about picking out fresh, freshly picked spices that you have also grown yourself. Here are some spices that you can easily grow.

Basil
Oregano
Chive
Thyme
Lemon balm
Sage
Rosemary

Throw these little flavor bombs on the balcony and cook with your own touch of freshness. Tasty cultivation!

Vegetables

Build your own little vegetable oasis on the balcony - it's easier than you think! Whether you want to start from a small seed, get started with an already grown bush, or give old vegetables a chance to get back to their roots, it's time to let nature do its thing. Give the stuff space to grow in a nice pot or planter box depending on what you want to grow. Here are some vegetable suggestions that are perfect for balcony life:

Tomato
Potato
Chili pepper
Onion
Watercress
Romaine lettuce

    Fruit and berries

    Starting your own fruit and berry growing corner on the balcony is a brilliant idea. It gives you the chance to pick up fresh goodies right at home. Here are some cool options that work well for balcony living:

    Strawberries
    Stick a few strawberry plants in pots or hanging containers. The small sweet berries require a rather large dose of sun to deliver.
     
    Wild strawberry
    Small, delicious strawberries that like sunny places and work well in pots or hanging containers.

    Cherry tomato
    If you're looking for something different, try growing cherry tomatoes in pots. Small, sweet tomatoes that don't take up much space.

    Citrus plants
    Maybe some citrus vibes with lemon trees or lime bushes in larger pots. Just make sure they get plenty of sun and protect them from the cold.
    Currant
    Invest in currant bushes in pots. Juicy berries that thrive in sunny to semi-shaded locations.

    When running your own balcony cultivation, make sure you have the right soil and fertilizer, and don't forget to water regularly. Pick in plants that are suitable for your particular climate, and soon we will be talking about fresh harvests directly from your own green oasis. Nice huh?

    Exotic garden

    Get an exotic orchard on your glassed-in balcony - yes, it's actually possible! And the best part is that you can enjoy them all year round, provided you have a glazed balcony then. In with everything from fresh lemons, oranges to passion fruit. But before you get started, invest in a 1-2 kW electric fan with a thermostat that switches on at 5-8°C (a so-called frost guard) to keep the fruits warm and happy. During the summer, make sure it doesn't get too hot by ventilating the fruits, and in the winter, keep it around 0-10 degrees on the balcony, then your plants thrive best. Here are some exotic fruits that thrive on your glassed-in balcony:

    Lemon
    Orange
    Fig
    Nectarine
    Olive
    Passion fruit
    As soon as Biffen has time, there will be more tips, so stay tuned...