Cultivating aromatic balcony plants is the easiest and most rewarding way to have generous collections all summer, even without a garden. A few vases are enough, a little sun and the right choices to perfume lunches and dinners.
In summer, even a green corner of a few meters can become a riot of aromas and flavors. With the right mix of herbs you can get not only a continuous collection, but also a beautiful balcony to see and useful in the kitchen. For those who love Mediterranean cuisine or simply want more taste in summer dishes, you don’t need to wait: just choose the most generous and warm -resistant varieties. Advice? Do not limit themselves to the most common ones: some little -known plants give unexpected surprises. Cultivating aromatic is also a way to slow down, observe the rhythms of nature. There is something therapeutic in annusing the newly seized leaves or seeing new sprouts sprout. And then, do you want to put the satisfaction of adding something you cared about with your own hands to the plate? After all, it takes little to feel a little more connected to the earth.
Sun, regular water and some foresight: the balcony can turn into a miniature vegetable garden that smells of summer every day. Just start.
The most productive aromatic: the secret is in the choice
When it comes to aromatic balcony herbs The mind immediately runs to basil and parsley. Excellent, of course. But if you aim for a long and abundant collection, it is better to support even less known but tireless varieties. For example, the salvia It is a real handyman. He resists heat, has little pretensions and continues to produce new leaves for months. He also keeps some insects away, which he never hurts. Also the timo It is a faithful ally: compact, fragrant and practically indestructible. The more it is cut, the more it grows. The rosemaryif put in a deep and well exposed vase, can become a small evergreen shrub. And then there is theoreganowhich on the balcony behaves very well and releases a perfume that immediately makes you think of the freshly baked pizza.
A special mention deserves the Menta: Even if it requires more water, its growth is quick and continuous. The important thing is to isolate it in a separate vase, because it tends to “invade” all the available space. Finally, those who have a little patience can try the marjoram: a delicate aromatic that gives a unique flavor to many summer dishes.
Perfect cultivation: tricks for an ever green balcony
There are no great skills to cultivate herbs on the balcony, but some tricks can really make the difference:
Often it is thought that it is enough of a little land and water, but each plant has its specific needs. Some prefer the shadow, others do not tolerate even one more drop. Even the wind can play bad jokes, especially in exposed balconies. And then there is the space issue: better a few vases well cared for than many in disorder.
- Choose Vases with good drainagepreferably in terracotta
- Use a Light and well -a -air soilwith a little sand
- Expose plants to direct sun for at least 4-6 hours a day
- Water early in the morning or in the evening, avoiding stagnation
- Collect the leaves often: it stimulates growth and keeps compact plants
A common mistake? Exaggerate with water. Many aromatic, such as rosemary and thyme, prefer dry soil between one watering and the other. Instead basil and mint ask for more humidity, so they must be checked more often.
Ideas for a winning mix: beauty, flavor and zero waste
Creating a balanced composition does not only mean choosing the most productive herbs, but also thinking about how they really use. Better to focus on a mix of basic aromatic aromatics such as basil, parsley and mint, together with perennials such as sage, rosemary and thyme. For those who want to dare, varieties to discover as aneto, cerfoglio and dragoncello can be added.
This allows you to always have something ready for use, avoiding waste. And then you can play with the arrangement: the highest plants behind, the more compact ones in front, perhaps alternating colors and shapes.
There are those who love to create small thematic boxeslike the one for the barbecue (rosemary, sage, oregano), or that for refreshing herbal teas (mint, lemon balm, lavender). Just a little imagination.
And you don’t need to have green thumb: even with some imperfection, a vase on the balcony can give great satisfaction. The important thing is to start, observe and … let yourself be surprised.
Who would have said that a simple window could perfume in summer every day? Now that the summer has started, it is the perfect time to get to work. The aromatic balcony plants They wait for nothing more.
For an extra touch, herbs can be mixed with edible flowers Like nasturzi or violets of thought: not only beautiful, but also useful in the kitchen.
Photo © Stock.adobe
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