Balcony Garden Glossary: 22 Terms Explained
The words that show up in balcony garden specs, reviews and how-to guides, explained without jargon. Open any term for the full explanation and what to look for when buying.
- Aphids
- Small, soft-bodied sap-feeding insects that cluster on new growth and are among the most common balcony pests.
- Read more about aphids
- Blossom end rot
- A dark, sunken patch on the bottom of tomatoes and peppers caused by inconsistent watering and calcium uptake.
- Read more about blossom end rot
- Companion planting
- Growing certain plants near each other to support pest control, pollination or space use in a small area.
- Read more about companion planting
- Compost
- Decomposed organic matter added to potting mix to improve nutrients, structure and moisture retention.
- Read more about compost
- Container gardening
- Growing plants in pots, planters or grow bags instead of in open ground, the standard approach on a balcony.
- Read more about container gardening
- Deadheading
- Removing spent flowers from a plant to redirect energy into new blooms instead of seed production.
- Read more about deadheading
- Determinate tomato
- A bush-type tomato that grows to a set height and ripens most of its fruit in a short window.
- Read more about determinate tomato
- Drainage hole
- An opening in the bottom of a container that lets excess water escape so plant roots do not rot.
- Read more about drainage hole
- Drip irrigation
- Tubing and emitters that deliver slow, steady water to each container, often controlled by a timer.
- Read more about drip irrigationRelated: Best Drip Irrigation Kits for Balcony Gardens
- Fabric grow bag
- A breathable fabric container that air-prunes roots and weighs far less than ceramic or plastic pots.
- Read more about fabric grow bagRelated: Best Fabric Grow Bags for Balcony Gardening
- First frost date
- The average date of the first fall frost in your area, used to time harvests and cold protection.
- Read more about first frost date
- Full sun
- At least six hours of direct sunlight a day, needed by many fruiting vegetables and flowers.
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- Hardening off
- Gradually exposing indoor-raised seedlings to outdoor conditions over one to two weeks before planting out.
- Read more about hardening off
- Indeterminate tomato
- A vining tomato that keeps growing and fruiting all season, needing a large pot and tall support.
- Read more about indeterminate tomatoRelated: Best Plant Support Stakes
- Load limit
- The maximum weight a balcony structure is designed to safely carry, including wet soil, pots and furniture.
- Read more about load limit
- Microclimate
- The local conditions on your balcony, such as wind, reflected heat or building shade, that can differ from the forecast.
- Read more about microclimate
- Neem oil
- A plant-derived oil used as an organic treatment for common pests like aphids and spider mites.
- Read more about neem oilRelated: Best Neem Oil for Plants and Pest Control
- Potting mix
- A light, soilless growing medium made for containers. Garden soil compacts in pots and drains poorly.
- Read more about potting mixRelated: Best Potting Soil
- Railing planter
- A planter that hangs over or clips onto a balcony rail, always secured so it cannot fall.
- Read more about railing planterRelated: Best Balcony Railing Planters
- Root bound
- A condition where roots fill and circle a container, restricting growth and water uptake in older plants.
- Read more about root bound
- Self-watering planter
- A container with a built-in water reservoir that wicks moisture up to the soil, cutting down daily watering.
- Read more about self-watering planterRelated: Best Self-Watering Planters for Balconies
- Trellising
- Training vining or climbing plants up a support structure to save floor space in a small container garden.
- Read more about trellising