Watering balcony plants properly: tips for watering
Your favorite balcony flowers have been selected, planted, and brought to the perfect location - from now on, all that matters is the right care. Optimal watering is the be-all and end-all for a thriving balcony garden. Here we will tell you how to water your balcony flowers (even on holiday) and how the balcony box from The Plant Box can make watering easier for you.
Watering balcony plants - what do I have to consider?
The right water supply is an important issue, especially for balcony plants, because the soil in the balcony box dries out much faster than the flower bed, and that leaves your balcony flowers thirsty without regular watering. How much water a balcony flower needs depends on a whole range of factors. One of the most important is their location. Due to the intense sunlight, heat-loving plants on south-facing balconies also need a lot more water than flowers that grow in partial shade or shade. When a flower has just been planted, it will need a little more water than usual for the first few weeks to develop its root system in the new environment.
The season also plays a role in watering. While it is usually sufficient to water your balcony flowers 2-3 times a week in spring and autumn, they should be watered every day in midsummer. Perennial balcony flowers, which also spend the winter outside, should only be watered sparingly in the cold season to prevent the roots from freezing.
Of course, every balcony flower always has its own individual needs; that's why there are plants that generally get by with little water, while others prefer to be watered every day. Before they are planted on the balcony, you should always check carefully what the new balcony residents’ preferences are.
Hard or soft water - what do my balcony plants need?
Different balcony plants not only have different needs when it comes to the amount of water; the hardness of the water also plays a role. The degree of hardness describes how much calcium and magnesium is in the water and can vary greatly from region to region. Certain plant species such as rhododendrons, azaleas, or orchids are sensitive to hard water and the minerals it contains. Here, too, you should check in advance whether your plants cannot tolerate hard water and, if necessary, soften it before watering. This can be done with a simple boil or a teaspoon of vinegar.
How prevent waterlogging:
Waterlogging is a major problem for most balcony plants. If the water cannot drain off after watering, their roots begin to rot and the plant can no longer continue to grow healthily. In order to prevent water from accumulating around the root ball, it is helpful to incorporate a drainage layer made of expanded clay or gravel as the bottom layer in the planter. It is important that the container has a hole through which excess water can drain. Some window boxes, like The Plant Box, have an integrated drainage strip that prevents waterlogging at the bottom of the box.
Evening or morning: when should I water my balcony plants?
If you are looking for the right time to water your plants, there is only one rule: avoid watering them at midday, especially in summer. In the midday heat, the water evaporates much faster and does not reach the roots of the plants. Watering should therefore take place either in the morning or in the evening when the outside temperature is slightly lower.
Watering balcony plants on vacation
When you travel for a longer period of time, watering the balcony plants can become a problem. If you don't want to keep asking your neighbors for favors, you can also take care of the watering yourself while you're on vacation. There are various methods for this: For a short holiday (2-3 days), it is already sufficient to generously water the balcony plants before departure and, if possible, to bring them into the apartment.
If the holiday lasts a little longer, however, an irrigation system must be installed. DIY solutions from conventional PET bottles are sufficient for small to medium-sized planters. Large balcony boxes often also have a particularly high water requirement. In order to keep them optimally watered over a longer period of time, there are automatic watering devices with integrated water tanks for tech lovers, even with a timer and soil sensors.
Watering balcony flowers properly: Very easy with The Plant Box
Getting a good feel for which watering method is best for your own balcony flowers is not that easy and requires a bit of experience. Balcony plant beginners can get a little head start with The Plant Box: we simply deliver the planted balcony box to your home. The creatively arranged balcony flowers do not have to be planted at great expense, but can simply be placed in the balcony box and admired immediately. Tips for the right watering and a suitable fertilizer are always included.
Your advantages:
- Creative balcony flower arrangements delivered directly to your home
- Perfect for beginners: together with every balcony box refill we send you lots of tips on watering and care
- Seasonal, regional, and sustainable; we always pay attention to the environment when choosing our flowers
Proper watering is no problem with the balcony box from The Plant Box: waterlogging is prevented by an integrated drainage strip. Each balcony box has two holes through which a watering hose can be inserted - your plants are always optimally cared for, even during your vacation. Sustainability is important to us, which is why we make our balcony boxes from 100% recycled vegetable oils.
