Opening Thoughts

Hello everyone! Recently, I created an amazing balcony garden at home, and I couldn't be happier watching my homegrown vegetables and fruits thrive! Honestly, the journey from being a complete novice who knew nothing to now being able to grow various delicious produce has been incredibly fulfilling! Today, I'd like to share my gardening experiences with you all, helping fellow gardening enthusiasts avoid some of the mistakes I made.

I remember when I first started gardening, I was such a mess – it was almost embarrassing. I was constantly searching online for things like "what to do when plants wilt" or "why are the leaves turning yellow." But after some time experimenting, I've finally figured out some tricks. Now, every morning when I water my plants, seeing them flourish in the sunlight puts me in such a great mood!

Location Planning

To be honest, choosing the right location for your plants is crucial! Just like how location matters when choosing a house, plants need an environment suitable for their growth. I remember being so impulsive when I first started – I'd buy any plant I liked without considering if my home environment was suitable. The result was predictable: my tomato seedlings ended up looking like bean sprouts due to insufficient sunlight, and I had to give up on them.

So, choosing the right location is the first step to successful gardening. But how do you choose correctly? First, you need to consider sunlight! Most fruits and vegetables are sun-lovers, requiring 6-8 hours of full sunlight daily. I suggest picking a sunny day and using your phone to record the duration of sunlight in different locations of your home. That's what I did – I checked throughout the day at regular intervals, which helped me clearly identify suitable planting spots.

Ventilation is also crucial! Plants need to breathe too! Poor ventilation can lead to mold growth and pest problems. However, don't go overboard – too much wind might knock over your pots. My balcony is perfect, with a railing that blocks strong winds while allowing good air circulation – it's like it was designed for gardening!

Oh, and don't forget about practicality. The planting area should be close to a water source, or watering can become quite a workout. I previously had a small garden on the rooftop, and carrying water up several flights of stairs was exhausting! I gave up after a month. Now, growing on my balcony, watering takes just minutes – much easier!

Soil Preparation

Talking about soil – it's the foundation of plant growth! I was pretty naive at first, thinking any dirt would do, and predictably, my plants struggled. Later, I learned that gardening soil is quite particular. It needs to be loose and well-aerated to allow root growth, while also retaining water and nutrients, with a balanced pH level. Technically speaking, the pH should be between 6.5-7.0.

The easiest way to improve soil for planting is to add well-rotted compost. You can buy ready-made organic fertilizer from garden markets or online, or make your own compost. I now have a compost bin in the corner of my balcony where I put kitchen scraps and fallen leaves to decompose. It's not only environmentally friendly but also saves money on fertilizer – a win-win!

However, here's an important reminder: never work with soil when it's wet. I learned this the hard way. One day, right after getting some strawberry seedlings, I was so eager to plant them that I didn't wait for the soil to dry. The result was predictable – the soil became compacted, affecting the roots, and the seedlings wilted for several days. It was heartbreaking to watch.

Watering Techniques

When it comes to watering, there's a lot to know! When I first started gardening, I thought plants would die without constant water, so I'd water them whenever the soil surface looked dry. Well, that actually ended up harming them. Looking back now, it's both funny and sad. After much practice, I've developed several super useful watering principles.

First, it's better to "water deeply but less frequently" rather than "water lightly but often." Just like how we drink water – drinking enough at once is better than taking small sips. This approach encourages plant roots to grow deeper, improving their drought resistance. How do you do this? Wait until the top layer of soil is slightly dry before watering, but when you do water, make sure it penetrates deep to the roots. This way, the plant roots will continuously grow downward searching for water, developing a strong root system.

Also, timing is important when watering. It's best to water in the morning or evening, avoiding the intense midday sun. I made this mistake before – watering plants under the hot midday sun caused water droplets to form on the leaves, which acted like magnifying glasses and burned the leaves.

Watering amounts should also be adjusted according to the season. In summer, when evaporation is high, plants need more water; in winter, when plant growth slows down, they need less. I now adjust my watering frequency based on weather and season, and my plants are thriving.

Water temperature matters too. Room temperature water is best, as water that's too hot or too cold can shock the plant roots. I always leave water out on the balcony first, waiting until it reaches room temperature before using it.

Here's another tip: stick your finger 2-3 centimeters into the soil – if it feels moist, don't water; if it feels dry, it's time to water. This method works really well, much more accurate than just looking at the surface.

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