Garden

Garden & Vertical Growing

Gardening does not require a large property. Vegetables, herbs and edible flowers can also be grown on a balcony, patio, in a courtyard or in a small garden, provided the location, container, substrate, water supply and crop selection are compatible. This guide helps you choose a suitable system and build it up step by step.

Gardening in a small space: A stable system does not result from fitting in as many plants as possible. It depends on suitable crops, sufficient root volume, controlled drainage and a level of care that can realistically be maintained in everyday life.

From the available space to the right growing system

The first step is not a shopping list, but an assessment of the site. The decisive factors are the daily hours of sunlight, exposure to wind, access to water, the site's load-bearing capacity and the time available for care and harvesting. A sunny south-facing balcony has different requirements from a sheltered courtyard or a partly shaded urban garden.

Observe the intended location over several days. Record when it receives direct sunlight, how quickly containers dry out after watering and whether rain reaches the site. Only then can you make an informed decision about whether balcony boxes, larger planters, raised beds, vertical modules or a combination will be suitable.

Assess the site before installation

Light: When and for how long does direct sunlight reach the area?
Wind: Are plants, trellises and containers exposed to strong gusts?
Water: Is there a nearby water source, and can rainwater be collected?
Drainage: Can excess water drain safely without affecting the building or neighbours?
Load: Are the surface, balcony and fixings designed to support filled containers?
Care: Who will water and inspect the plants during absences?

Gardening in pots, planters and balcony boxes

Containers are flexible and offer a manageable way to get started. Herbs, lettuces, radishes, compact tomato varieties and many edible flowers can all be grown in them. However, their volume must suit the mature plant. Small containers heat up more quickly, hold less water and fewer nutrients, and therefore require more frequent monitoring.

Every container needs reliable drainage. Drainage holes must not remain blocked. Saucers protect surfaces, but should not remain filled with water for long periods after heavy rain. Balcony boxes and pots must be securely fixed; the actual weight of wet soil is easily underestimated.

Select suitable containers

Large and deep-rooted crops need sufficient volume and stability.
Light-coloured containers often heat up less than dark ones in full sun.
Reused containers must be clean, stable and suitable for their intended purpose.
Check the material, drainage holes and saucers before filling.
Climbing plants need a strong, wind-resistant support.

Plan raised beds carefully

Raised beds provide a more convenient working height and make cultivation possible on paved or otherwise unsuitable ground. However, they do not automatically increase yields. Location, usable depth, substrate quality, water management and crop rotation determine how reliably the bed performs.

Where the bed is in contact with the ground, suitable protection against voles should be fitted underneath. On paved surfaces, excess water must be able to drain in a controlled manner. Wooden components must not remain permanently wet. The often-cited warming effect of coarse organic material is temporary and depends on the bed's construction and the rate of decomposition; it should not be treated as a permanently guaranteed benefit.

Check the raised bed before filling

Define the location, external dimensions and a practical working height.
Clarify the base, water drainage and any required ground protection.
Check the material for stability and for coatings unsuitable for gardening.
Adapt the fill to the rooting depth and intended crops.
Monitor settlement and top up only with suitable material.
Test the irrigation system in practice before planting.

Use vertical space

Vertical growing uses walls, railings, shelves or freestanding supports. This increases the usable growing area without requiring additional floor space for every level. At the same time, upper levels alter the light, wind and water distribution for plants below.

A vertical system must be stable, accessible and able to drain safely. Every level should be inspectable without lifting containers overhead or using unsafe ladders. Water from upper planting positions must not run uncontrolled over leaves and lower containers. Wall-mounted systems require consideration of building protection, fixings and potential moisture damage.

Suitable forms of vertical growing

Trellises: for beans, peas, cucumbers and other climbing crops.
Growing shelves: for herbs and compact leafy crops with sufficient spacing for light.
Wall modules: for small root zones, provided irrigation and drainage work reliably.
Hanging containers: only with suitable fixings and safe access.
Combined systems: large containers at the bottom, with lighter and smaller crops above.

Substrate is not just any filling material

A growing substrate must retain water while allowing air to reach the roots. Compacted or permanently wet material restricts gas exchange. Conversely, very coarse mixtures or those that dry out rapidly can make a consistent water supply difficult. Composition and structure must suit the crop, container and irrigation method.

Used substrate should not automatically be reused without treatment. Root residues, compaction, salt accumulation, pests and signs of disease must be assessed. Where the cause of damage is unclear, fresh, suitable material provides a more controllable basis. Peat-reduced or peat-free products can be appropriate; their water-holding capacity and fertiliser requirements must likewise be assessed for the specific product.

Adjust nutrient supply in a controlled manner

Container crops have only limited reserves of water and nutrients. Fertiliser should therefore be applied according to the crop, growth stage, substrate and manufacturer’s instructions rather than as a standard dose. Excessive applications can stress roots and cause salts to accumulate in the container. Observations such as leaf colour and growth provide useful indications, but recurring problems still require a systematic investigation of the cause.

Use water according to demand

Water demand changes with temperature, wind, plant mass, container size and growth stage. A fixed watering schedule is therefore less reliable than regular checks. Inspect not only the surface, but also the moisture level throughout the rooted zone.

For gardens, the German Environment Agency recommends watering close to the ground during the cooler parts of the day whenever possible and collecting rainwater. Slow watering reduces surface runoff. Mulch can protect uncovered soil from drying out rapidly, but should not be piled directly against sensitive stems.

Bottom watering and water reservoirs

Containers with a water reservoir or wick system can provide moisture more evenly. They work reliably only when the capillary zone, overflow and substrate are compatible. A reservoir does not automatically prevent waterlogging. The overflow, fill level and condition of the roots must be checked, and deposits removed regularly.

Use rainwater with awareness of its source

Collected rainwater is generally suitable for garden and balcony plants. Nevertheless, its source matters. The German Environment Agency notes that certain roofing materials or membranes can release substances into runoff water. Collection tanks should be covered, positioned securely and operated without endangering children or animals.

Select plants for the site, not for a wish list

Successful crop selection begins with light, temperature and root space. Sun-loving fruiting crops will not develop in permanently shaded locations as they would in a sheltered, bright position. Leafy vegetables and some herbs can often manage with less direct sunlight, but still need adequate light and air circulation.

For beginners, a small number of crops with different responses is more useful than an overcrowded assortment. This makes it easier to see how quickly the substrate dries, which areas are exposed to wind and whether the required care fits into everyday life. Seasonal sowing and planting dates should be adapted to the specific location.

A simple selection for getting started

Cut-and-come-again or loose-leaf lettuce for repeated small harvests.
Radishes as a fast-growing crop with manageable space requirements.
Parsley, chives or basil selected according to the temperature and light conditions.
One compact tomato variety, but only in a sufficiently bright, warm location and an appropriately sized container.
Climbing beans or peas with a stable support and a suitable sowing date.

Take a balanced view of companion planting and crop rotation

Different crops can use an area in different ways over time and space. What matters is whether their water, nutrient and space requirements are compatible. General charts of supposedly good or bad neighbours offer no guarantee. In small containers, densely planted crops compete particularly quickly for root space.

In raised beds and larger plots, a documented crop sequence helps identify recurring problems and plan the area across the season. Plant residues showing clear signs of disease should not be left uncritically in the same system or used as mulch.

Plan for heat, wind and heavy rain

Small growing systems respond quickly to weather extremes. Dark pots can become very hot, lightweight containers can topple, and substrates that have dried out completely may initially absorb water only slowly. Heavy rain can leach nutrients or overfill poorly drained containers.

Preventive measures

Position containers securely and attach climbing supports independently of delicate plant parts.
Keep drainage holes and overflows clear.
Temporarily shade sensitive plants during extreme heat without completely blocking air movement.
Check the substrate before it dries out completely.
Take account of weather forecasts and local guidance on water use.

Monitor plant health systematically

Discolouration, wilting or weak growth do not automatically have a single cause. Excess water, drought, nutrient imbalance, root damage, heat, insufficient light and pests or pathogens can produce similar symptoms. The first step is therefore to review the location and the history of care.

Which parts of the plant are affected: old leaves, young leaves, shoots or roots?
Is the substrate dry, evenly moist or permanently wet?
Did the problem appear after fertilising, repotting, heat or heavy rain?
Are insects, webbing, deposits or clearly defined spots visible?
Are only individual plants affected, or every container?

Remove severely damaged plant parts with clean tools. Do not apply unfamiliar products as a precaution. For edible crops, the authorisation, application instructions and withholding period of every plant-protection product must be observed.

Direct comparison of the systems

Balcony box

Strengths: space-saving, flexible and comparatively simple
Specific requirements: limited root space, frequent water checks and secure mounting
Suitable starting crops: herbs, lettuces, radishes and edible flowers

Large planter

Strengths: more root space, can be moved when planned accordingly, and suitable for larger crops
Specific requirements: high weight, controlled drainage and a stable climbing support
Suitable starting crops: compact tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers or berries

Raised bed

Strengths: comfortable working height, large growing area and usable on difficult ground
Specific requirements: material requirements, settlement, water demand and durable structural protection
Suitable starting crops: a mixed selection of vegetables and herbs

Vertical module

Strengths: uses height while occupying little floor space
Specific requirements: uneven light and water distribution, secure mounting and accessibility
Suitable starting crops: compact herbs and leafy crops

Container with reservoir

Strengths: a water reserve and potentially more even supply
Specific requirements: correct overflow, suitable substrate, cleaning and fill-level checks
Suitable starting crops: crops with consistent water requirements

Start with a documented trial

A small trial is more informative than filling the entire balcony at once. Begin with a few containers or a clearly defined section of a bed. Label the crops and record sowing, planting, location, watering and any notable weather events.

Observe the site over several days and document it with photographs.
Select two or three container sizes or growing positions.
Plant a small number of robust crops with well-known requirements.
Record moisture, growth and maintenance needs regularly.
Change only one significant variable in each subsequent trial.
Expand the system only once watering and maintenance work reliably and can be repeated.

From the garden to the kitchen

Harvest only produce that has been identified with certainty and is in sound condition. Transport vegetables and herbs cleanly, discard damaged parts and store the produce appropriately. A realistic growing plan therefore accounts not only for production, but also for harvest volumes, processing and possible surpluses.

Guidance on seasonal use is available in the Cooking section. If you want to begin in a particularly small space, you can also consult the microgreen variety guide.