Balcony and container vegetable garden
Plenty of vegetables do well on a balcony, provided the pots are big enough and the spot gets sun. The less compost a plant has, the more often you'll need to water and feed it. Go for compact or dwarf varieties, and push a finger into the compost before you water.
The basics
Pots need drainage holes, or water collects at the bottom. Fill them with a good multi-purpose compost, ideally peat-free, and put them in the sunniest part of the balcony, out of the wind.
In the app
You can set up a “balcony” garden with its own beds and get a daily plan for each pot.
Guides in this section
Frequently asked questions
How big should the pot be?
For most vegetables the RHS suggests at least 45 cm (18 in) deep and wide. Smaller pots need watering and feeding more often.
How often should I water?
When the compost is dry about a third of the way down the pot. In hot, windy weather that can mean every day.
What should I grow first?
Salad leaves, radishes, herbs, dwarf beans, tomatoes and chillies are among the crops that take best to pots.