Recipe for growing on balconies and terraces

Mariló Antón Bolaños

What does a plant need to live:– sun– Oxygen and carbon dioxide

present in the air.– water– A land where to settle and

contain nutrients.

The most important differences between the soil and crop growing in a pot are:

• Less water and nutrient reserves. Because of the volume of the container.

• The size of our plants will be limited by the size of the container

• Extreme temperatures. The change in temperature in the soil is performed gradually in a container while this change is abrupt, and cooling and warming the soil more.

• Significant loss of nutrients due to over-watering and high temperatures, which accelerate the decomposition of organic matter.

Recipe for growing:• Choosing the appropriate

container.• Location on the terrace.• Types substrate.• Irrigation scheduling.• The cultivation. Selection of

species to grow.• Aromatic plants and decorative

Containers. Features

• Lightness, to facilitate its transportation and avoid overloading the structure of the building.• Good drainage, so you can remove excess water.• The more volume better• Optimization of sunlight• Isolation. Insulating materials such as ceramics or wood

to protect the roots from overheating or cooling• easy handling.

Location on the balcony or terrace:

• Direct light• Sheltered from the

wind• Easy access to water

Location on the balcony or terrace :

The substrate Ideal substrate properties:- Porosity- Aeration or air volume- Water retention- pH- Storage of nutrients- Lightweight- Nutrient

The most important feature of the growing medium is a balance between the macropores and micropores, that is, the balance between water retention and aeration

Irrigation

• Water only when needed (when the ground is dry)

• Irrigation manual and / or automatic.• Drip Irrigation

The cultivation.

Winter crop:- Chard- Spinach- Lettuce- Col- Red Cabbage- Broccoli- Beans- Peas- Onion- Carrot- Radishes- Leek- Celery- Garlic- Turnips

Depending on the time of year when we are, we can cultivate a species or other.

Summer crop: - Tomato- Eggplant- Pepper- Cucumber- Jewish- Zucchini- Alficoz- Melon- Watermelon- Pumpkin- Onion- Carrot- Radishes- Leek- Celery- Lettuce- Sunflower- Strawberries

Aromatic plants and decorative We can grow all kinds of ornamental plants, but the best are the native plants of the

Mediterranean:- Romero - Lemon Verbena- Thyme - mint- Salvia - Mint- Lavender - Melisa- Chamomile - Oregano

Beneficial because:- Attract pollinators.- They dress in beautiful colors and flavoring our terrace.- Beneficial for health.- Repel certain pests.- Plants trap.- We can manufacture extracts to prevent pests and serve as natural fertilizer.

Maintenance and concepts to consider.

- Associations crop.- Compatibility of plants- Rotation: Consists of two seasons not to grow the same

vegetable family.Benefits:- They do not compete, they complement.- Crops staggered.- Plants benefit each other.- We avoid pests.

Seeding and / or planting. Obtaining seeds.

• Buy or sow.• We can get our seeds

Pest prevention

It is always better to be safe than sorry beforeUse home remedies, plant extracts and products

allowed in organic agriculture.Some of the most common pests:• greenfly• whitefly• red Spider• larvae defoliating• Fungi (bold, rust, mildew)

Visitors to the garden. the birds

Gardening Tasks

• Observation, develop a monitoring notebook.

• Remove adventitious plants.

• pollination• Maintenance of the

substrate, the fertilizer• Irrigation.• Tracking insects, diseases

and nutritional deficiencies.

To enjoy the garden!

Thank you!