Plants to Grow in October on Your Balcony

Tulips are some of the best plants to grow in October in your balcony garden. These beautiful flowering plants add to the beauty and aesthetic look of your space. Tulips are usually planted in the autumn for beautiful spring blooms. Plant your Tulip bulbs in a spot that receives full or afternoon sun. Use a balcony trough to plant the bulbs in some well-drained soil. Tulips dislike excess moisture, so make sure that you do not overwater the plant. Plant your Tulip bulbs at least 4 to 6 inches apart (10 to 15 cm), so each has enough space to grow. Keep your Tulip plants sheltered from strong winds.

Forget-me-nots make perfect autumn plants as they prefer cool weather, indirect sun and moist soil. They can be grown annually by autumn for beautiful spring blooms. They thrive in organically enriched soil with partial shade. They need to be watered regularly, but excess watering can be harmful. Start the seed germination process indoors by keeping them moderately moist. This process could take between 8 to 10 days. Plants sown indoors need to be slowly moved outdoors after acclimatising them to the conditions outside.

Lettuce is a great plant to cultivate in your edible garden in the month of October. These need to be planted in deep, wide containers in good mixed soil rich in compost. The container should be at least 18 cm deep so that the roots have enough space to grow. Sow the seeds in the container, keeping six to eight inches (15-20 cm) between each. Water them so that the soil remains well moisturised. Self-watering planters are great for growing Lettuce.

Certain varieties of Cauliflower are a great vegetable to grow in containers in autumn. Plant the cauliflower plants in a spot where there is partial or mid-day sun as these will grow through the summer months. The cauliflower plants need to be planted in fertile potting soil.  They also need to be watered regularly, especially in the summer, as they require the soil to be consistently moist. Mulching around the plant is a good activity that helps to increase water retention. Fertilise the soil with nitrogen-rich fertilisers in order for the vegetable to grow successfully.

October is the best time to plant Garlic. To begin, fill your container with soil rich in compost. Separate your bulbs carefully without damaging them, less than 24 hours before planting them. Plant the bulbs about three to four cms deep with each bulb at least 6 inches (15 cm) apart. The roots should be facing downwards. Water the plants regularly during the growing period, whenever you feel it is extra dry. Once you see that your Garlic is ready to harvest, don’t wait too long, as leaving it longer could result in the bulbs rotting.

Autumn is the perfect time to cultivate Kale in your edible balcony garden. Kale is grown straight from seeds. It is best to plant your Kale seeds about six to eight weeks before the first predicted frost in a spot that receives full sun. Ensure that the soil is kept moist through the growing period and fertilise with organic compost every six to eight weeks. Once the leaves are the size of your hand, the plant is ready to harvest.

Spinach is among one of the healthiest and easiest plants to grow in October on your balcony. They can easily be cultivated in October to harvest throughout the winter. Pick a spot with good full or partial sun and plant the seeds in soil that retains water. Ensure that the soil around the Spinach is free of weeds so that they can grow easily. Water regularly and fertilise with a high nitrogen liquid fertiliser mix every two weeks for the plant to flourish. The Spinach leaves should be ready for harvesting in about 12 weeks. Harvesting often encourages the growth of new leaves.

Winter Pansies are beautiful flowers that are perfect for decorating your outdoor space and are best cultivated by October, although they can be grown by late October or November in some cases. These flowering plants prefer partial sun and thrive when grown facing the sun. They require the soil to be well moisturised with regular watering and good drainage. They thrive when well fertilised, so make sure you fertilise the plant with high-quality fertilisers through autumn and spring. Pansies when planted right and cared for can live up to three years. Winter Pansies are bred to withstand cold and frosty weather, as long as they have sufficient water and fertiliser to survive. Autumn Winter Pansies flower by late spring.