Choosing Containers for you Balcony Garden

What is the best container for planting on a balcony?

When choosing containers for my balcony, weight is my first consideration. I stay clear of terracotta although I do use a few. I keep some of my herbs in glazed ceramic containers. And I have a wooden planter box that I keep annuals in but it's something I constructed myself. Plastic is my true friend on the balcony.

The important thing is drainage. Make sure your containers have some exit holes for excess water to drain away. Few plant like having wet feet and leaving you plants roots in too much moisture can quickly lead to root rot. Containers without holes should have holes cut into them if possible, or use them as a cachepot.

Container shape is something else to consider. Containers that are tapered; large at the top and small at the bottom are very common but you're best with something more cylindrical or cubic; the same size at the top and bottom. Know what you're planting and how much spread your plants roots will require. There is no point planting lettuce in a 5 gallon bucket. But carrots or a tomato plant would be very happy with the extra depth.

Clay Terracotta

This little terracotta pot is perfect for an herb like thyme.

These are cheap, readily available and can be quite attractive. But they are heavy. They also tend to absorb moisture and draw it out of your soil. Plants in clay containers will dry out quicker. The containers also have a tendency to crack, especially after being outside through a cold frosty winter. Because they are porous, salts that accumulate inside the container will leach through the clay to the outside and this may appear unsightly. If terracotta pots aren't colourful enough for you, you can always paint them.

Glazed Ceramic

I like putting smaller plants in decorative planters, particularly those that I'm going to over-winter indoors. Because they are glazed, you don't have the same moisture issues that you do with terracotta but the weight issues remain. I had a glazed strawberry container I left on the balcony over the winter and in the spring all the glazed had flaked off. Some of the smaller glazed pots I own have drainage holes and matching ceramic trays glued to the bottom.

Plastic

A cedar planter I made that we've been using for several years now.

Plastic is my balcony gardening container of choice. It is light and holds moisture. But it does get hot fast under the sun which can lead to overheating of your plants roots. It's not exactly attractive although you can purchase a wide assortment of shapes and sizes in a few different colours. Plastic containers can be painted also. I like plastic because it is affordable and you can buy some fairly large containers that weigh next to nothing. Don't have drainage holes? No problem - knife, sissors, screwdriver... just about anything semi-sharp will do the trick.

Wood

Cedar planters look good and if treated properly can last a number of seasons. They are heavy though. To extend their life line them with heavy plastic or use an inner plastic container to hold the soil. If you're handy and can find some decent plans it doesn't take much to construct your own wooden planter.

Self-Watering

Self watering containers are a great way to provide a constant supply of moisture to your plants, as they need it.

You can learn more about self-watering containers here. Self-watering containers are containers, usually plastic, with a water reservoir in the bottom. Water is carried from this reservoir up to the soil chamber using a wick or by placing some of the soil in direct contact with the water. These containers are designed to provide your plants with water when they need it. They're a great idea but not all plants will be happy in them.

Cachepot: a cachepot is typically a decorative pot that holds the container in which your plant is planted. This allows you to benefit from having your plant planted in plastic but have it spruced up by having the plastic container hidden by the outer cachepot. They are a great way to improve the appearance of a potted plant without replanting it. And they also provide your plastic container with a bit of extra protection from blazing hot rays of sunlight.