Balcony & Terrace Gardening: Creating Your Green Oasis in Berlin

You don't need a large garden to enjoy fresh herbs, colorful flowers, and even your own vegetables. In a city like Berlin, balconies and terraces are valuable outdoor spaces that can be transformed into small, productive paradises. With the right planning, you can create a green retreat that is perfectly adapted to the urban climate.

The First Step: Observe Your Location's Weather

A balcony has its own microclimate. Before you start, observe the conditions:

• Sunlight: How many hours of direct sun does your balcony get per day? A south-facing balcony is a sun trap, ideal for tomatoes and Mediterranean herbs. An east-facing balcony gets gentle morning sun, perfect for salads and many flowers. A north-facing balcony is shady and requires shade-loving plants like hostas and ferns.
• Wind: Is your balcony exposed to strong winds? This is common on higher floors. Wind dries out soil and plants quickly. Choose sturdy plants and stable, heavy pots.
• Rain: Is your balcony covered? If so, you have full control over watering. If it's open, you need to ensure good drainage to prevent waterlogging during heavy rain.

Choosing the Right Pots and Soil

• Pot Size: The bigger, the better! Larger pots hold more soil, which means more nutrients and water for your plants. They also don't dry out as quickly. For vegetables like tomatoes or zucchini, you'll need a pot with at least a 20-liter capacity.
• Material: Terracotta pots are beautiful but dry out quickly. Plastic or glazed ceramic pots retain moisture better. Make sure every pot has drainage holes.
• Soil: Don't use soil from the park. Buy high-quality potting mix ("Blumenerde" or "Pflanzerde"). For vegetables, a mix specifically for vegetable gardens is best as it contains more nutrients.

The Best Plants for a Berlin Balcony

For the Sunny Balcony (South/West-Facing):

• Vegetables: Cherry tomatoes, chili peppers, bell peppers, zucchini, and cucumbers thrive in the heat.
• Herbs: Mediterranean classics like rosemary, thyme, oregano, and basil love the sun.
• Flowers: Geraniums (Pelargonium), Petunias, Lantana, and Lavender are sun-worshippers and very drought-tolerant.

For the Partially Shaded Balcony (East/West-Facing):

• Vegetables: Leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and Swiss chard prefer cooler conditions. Radishes and many herbs like mint, parsley, and chives also do well.
• Flowers: Fuchsias, Begonias, and Impatiens provide vibrant color in partial shade.

Watering and Care in the City

• The Finger Test: Stick your finger about 2-3 cm into the soil. If it feels dry, it's time to water. In the heat of a Berlin summer, this might mean watering every day.
• Water in the Morning: Water early in the morning so the plants can absorb the moisture before the midday heat. Watering in the evening can promote fungal diseases.
• Fertilize Regularly: Plants in pots have a limited amount of soil and nutrients. They need to be fed regularly throughout the growing season. Use a liquid fertilizer every 1-2 weeks according to the package instructions.

With a little planning and the right choice of plants, your Berlin balcony can become a blooming and productive extension of your living space, providing you with beauty, relaxation, and fresh ingredients for your kitchen.