The end of flower gardening is growing vegetables. An uncle became famous for "growing vegetables on the balcony," and netizens said: a wealthy version of a farmer.

“Growing flowers eventually leads to growing vegetables!” This saying was perfectly validated on a balcony in Shenzhen by an uncle. His home has a huge balcony originally planned as a flower bed, with waterproofing done and deep soil layers, where he had grown flowers several times. But later, he decided to turn the balcony into a small vegetable garden, and found that growing vegetables is not only more affordable but also allows him to eat vegetables he grows himself. The sense of achievement is full, and he even feels happier than when planting flowers.

Once the uncle shared his balcony vegetable garden, it immediately sparked envy among netizens. Some exclaimed, “Wow, this big balcony, eye-opening!” Others expressed envy, saying, “So jealous of such a large balcony, while my vegetables are only squeezed onto a small balcony.” Some joked, “This view is so awesome, playing with mud is just so much fun.”

The uncle’s “luxury city farmer” lifestyle makes people envious, but netizens are not to be outdone, sharing their own small vegetable gardens in the comments.

Netizen @Yezi shared the oranges on her balcony, which will be ripe in half a month; she has to tie them with a rope or the branches will bend.

Netizen @RuralResident proudly said that the vegetables on her small terrace have been growing for five years, and she can harvest every day. She initially also grew flowers, but now she finds growing vegetables more practical.

Netizen @SplendidBeauty even showed the seeds she sowed half a month ago, which are now ready to be served on the table.

Seeing everyone sharing their small balcony gardens, are you also tempted? Don’t worry, below we’ll share some tips for indoor balcony gardening and vegetable varieties suitable for spring planting to help you easily start your “urban farmer” life.

1. Waterproofing on the balcony is key

Whether you’re growing flowers or vegetables, balcony waterproofing is the top priority. If you plant directly on the balcony like the uncle, waterproofing must be done properly—at least three layers—to prevent leaks. Otherwise, water leakage can not only affect your home but also harm neighbors downstairs.

2. Choose vegetable varieties based on sunlight

The sunlight conditions on your balcony directly affect plant growth. South-facing balconies get plenty of sunlight, suitable for vegetables needing 4-6 hours of direct light; east-facing balconies have gentle morning light, suitable for varieties with low light requirements; north-facing balconies have less light, so choose shade-tolerant vegetables like herbs.

3. Select suitable containers

Recommend using lightweight resin pots or grow bags, which are easy to carry and breathable. If you don’t want to buy containers, you can DIY with oil drums or foam boxes with drainage holes. Whichever container you choose, add a 3-5 cm layer of clay pebbles at the bottom to ensure good drainage.

4. Use appropriate soil

Soil configuration is very important for balcony gardening. Generally, mix 60% regular soil, 20% coconut shell bricks, 10% sand, 5% ash, and 5% compound fertilizer. For higher quality, mix peat soil, coconut coir, and perlite in a 3:1:1 ratio, adding 5 grams of slow-release fertilizer per liter of soil.

5. Choose suitable vegetable varieties

For balcony planting, it’s recommended to select fast-maturing varieties like arugula (ready in 25 days), cherry radish (30 days), and fast-growing greens (40 days). If sunlight is limited, choose shade-tolerant varieties like mint, wood ear greens, kale, etc. Of course, you can also select vegetables based on your environment and needs.

6. Daily maintenance tips

● Watering: Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Insert your finger into the soil; water when it feels dry.

● Fertilizing: Apply organic or compound fertilizer every 2-3 weeks to ensure sufficient nutrients.

● Sunlight: Try to let vegetables receive 4-6 hours of sunlight daily. If sunlight is insufficient, consider using supplemental grow lights.

● Pruning: Remove yellow or dead leaves promptly to promote new growth.

7. Vegetables suitable for spring planting

● Leafy greens: Lettuce, spinach, romaine, bok choy, etc., with short growth cycles, suitable for balcony planting.

● Root vegetables: Cherry radish, carrots, etc., suitable for deep pots.

● Herbs: Mint, cilantro, basil, etc., shade-tolerant and fast-growing.

● Fruit vegetables: Cherry tomatoes, peppers, etc., suitable for sunny balconies.

After reading all this, are you tempted to start growing vegetables on your balcony? Growing your own vegetables not only makes life greener and healthier but also brings tranquility and joy amid busy city life. If you’ve already started, feel free to share your experiences in the comments and exchange tips with friends!

Editor: Chen Fang

First review: Li Hui

Second review: Tang Shiming

Third review: Wang Chao