Top tips & tools that everyone who gardens on their balcony should know about
22.6.2016
Translation: machine translated
I love the period when plants and herbs are growing and flowering in all their splendour. To keep them that way, you often have to use your pruning shears. Targeted pruning and other tricks are simply essential for a flowering garden.
The right maintenance
Grooving
The nutrients in the growing medium gradually diminish. Offer your plants some extra. You can use liquid fertiliser, given at the same time as watering, plant fertiliser sticks in the substrate or spread granules on the surface. In all cases, it is advisable to read the dosage instructions on the packaging, as too much nutrient is just as bad for plants as too little.
A universal fertiliser is sufficient for most plants. Aromatic herbs are naturally undemanding and need very few nutrients. Conversely, tomatoes take their revenge on regular fertilisation with abundant harvests.
Fertiliser
Quantity discount
CHF8.75 per piece for 3 units CHF7.40/1kg
Gesal Universal fertilizers
1.31 kg, 1 l
Removing wilted flowers and cutting back
Faded flowers should be picked regularly. This encourages plants to produce more flowers. You shouldn't hesitate to cut back long shoots. Some people don't dare and the plants become bushy.
Scissors
Normally, sturdy conventional scissors are enough to care for balcony plants or to cut aromatic herbs. It is advisable to use good quality secateurs if you have shrubs or other plants with very strong stems. Choose a model with a comfortable grip.
The right tools
Turn on the water
Prepare several tanks of water. Most plants prefer water at room temperature rather than fresh water. When it's very hot outside, you may need to water twice a day.
Important:
Always water the soil, never the leaves! When the sun shines, drops of water have the same effect as magnifying glasses. What's more, wet leaves develop disease more often.
Watering cans
In our online shop, we also sell affordable plastic watering cans in all sizes. Just make sure the sprinkler head is removable. The narrower the opening, the easier it is to aim.
Hand shovel & rake-scraper
To transport the growing medium in cube form, a hand shovel slightly bent in front is used. This can, of course, also be done with the hands. Very rarely do you find earthworms and other insects in the potting soil you buy.
A rake-scraper is very useful for aerating the soil around plants. This tool is also very handy for spreading granular fertiliser.
Gloves
For most work to be done on the balcony, standard rubber gloves will suffice (the same as those used for cleaning). Sturdier gardening gloves are only necessary if you have mini rose bushes or other thorny plants. If you want to handle delicate young shoots, you need tact and we therefore advise doing so with bare hands.
Soap
Of course, after working on the balcony, you need soap to wash your hands. But it may as well have been used before. When you want to handle plants with your bare hands, stick your fingernails in normal soap - so that there's soap left under your fingernails. This prevents soil from sticking to the underside of the nails, and after working, hands and nails are easy to wash.
Arbenita Jashari
Junior Editor
arbenita.jashari@digitecgalaxus.chWhen it comes to office supplies, I believe in form and function. From pens, scissors, paper notes to glittery glue and funky folders. That’s what I’m about at work. When I’m not busy checking out the latest desk accessories, I enjoy jetting off to remote corners of the world, lifting weights or taking an evening walk.