Drainage, Watering & Nutrient Delivery
Effective drainage, watering, and nutrient delivery are crucial for maintaining a healthy balcony garden. Without the right systems in place, plants can suffer from waterlogged soil, dry out too quickly, or fail to get the nutrients they need.
These pots would be installed on floating feet above the drainage plane of the balcony so that the holes in the bottom of the pots are able to drain freely. The same would apply to the gravel and deck with water draining freely away beneath the frame these are installed on.
1. Drainage
Drainage for pots is a really key consideration, ensure that the bottom of the pot has sufficient drainage holes (one small hole won’t cut it) Most containers are easy to add additional holes to.
Lay fly screen netting over the holes to prevent the water from washing the growing medium out of the pots.
Install the pots on feet when dealing with plants which require good drainage. Plants which don’t specify a need for good drainage, can be placed in saucers for slightly better water retention or directly onto the balcony or rooftop.
Note: this doesn’t apply to wicking pots, where the drainage is installed as an overflow hole on the side of the pot instead.
2. Watering
You can install an irrigation system to water all of your plants at once, but often they fail, and they can be quite difficult to get setup right. I suggest to most people to enjoy the practice of watering your plants with a hose instead, while watering you’ll get to notice your plants changing, and spot any potential diseases, both are important aspects of becoming more connected to your garden and receiving the mental health benefits associated having one.
If you plan to go away over the summer, you might want to setup a simple sprinkler/irrigation system to water all of your pots. It won’t be the most efficient use of water but will ensure your garden will survive while you’re away. Alternatively, if you have someone/people who can reliably come and water, this would be another option.
Be aware that irrigation systems have a tendency to fail in summer as the plastic junctions heat up in the sun, become more flexible, then pop due to water pressure.
High quality irrigation system
A system which would require the least effort and input from you would be a professionally installed and wifi monitored irrigation system that is maintained regularly by an irrigation professional. This system could have nutrient micro-dosing capabilities feeding your plants a very small amount of nutrients every time the garden is watered.
Wicking Beds
Wicking beds are self-watering systems that can be particularly useful for balcony gardens, especially in Canberra's climate. They work by creating a water reservoir beneath the soil, allowing plants to draw water up through capillary action.
Benefits for balcony gardens:
Reduced water consumption, which is important for sustainable gardening
Less frequent watering required, ideal for busy gardeners or during vacations
Consistent moisture levels, promoting healthier plant growth
Can be custom-built to fit balcony spaces and weight restrictions
Wicking beds need to be manually filled with water when the water reservoir has dried out. In most cases, overkill, but an especially effective system would be an automatic irrigation system that refills wicking beds when their water reservoir has been depleted.
3. Nutrient delivery
I recommend supplying your plants with nutrients during the warmer months (spring through autumn). Apply Seasol and Charlie Carp on a fortnightly to monthly basis, alternating applications. For example, you might apply Seasol in the first fortnight, then Charlie Carp in the next.
Mayfair Penthouse by Cameron gardens
With the right drainage, watering, and nutrient delivery systems in place, your plants will thrive even in Canberra’s challenging climate.
Want to keep reading?
Check out the next post in this series: Ponds for Rooftops & Balconies.
Want expert help?
Check out my Balcony Design and Construction Services page.
