In busy city life, many people are now creating small gardens on their roofs or balconies. Buying vegetables at the market is easy, but eating fresh vegetables you have grown yourself is a special pleasure. Some vegetables are especially easy to grow in balcony pots in the hot season, and give a good yield with little care. Here are the ones you can grow easily in balcony pots in summer.

Bottle gourd grows well in both the hot and the rainy season. It is best planted in a large pot or drum. Mixing cow dung manure into the soil helps the plant grow quickly. It needs at least five to six hours of sun a day. Water regularly, but do not let water stand in the pot. A trellis gives an even better yield.

Growing brinjal in balcony pots is now quite popular. Loamy, crumbly soil suits the plant. If you plant seedlings in summer, it is best to give them some shade from the harsh midday sun. Organic fertiliser in the pot helps the plant grow fast, and with regular watering and a little care you can harvest brinjal for a long time.

Green chilli is an excellent vegetable for small spaces and grows easily even in a small pot. A few hours of sun a day gives a good yield. Do not let excess water collect at the base of the plant. Spraying neem oil helps if insects attack.

Many people think of tomato as only a winter vegetable, but some heat-tolerant varieties can now be grown in summer too. Plant seedlings in a medium-sized pot and give regular water and organic fertiliser, and the plants will do well. Once they grow, it is best to tie them to stakes.

Okra is one of the vegetables best suited to hot weather. It grows very fast and needs little care. It is easy to grow in a large pot or grow bag, and with plenty of sun and regular watering it bears in a short time.

Malabar spinach (pui shak) is a very good option for a balcony garden. It grows quickly in the heat and is very easy to look after. A single medium pot is enough for its vines to spread. With a trellis, the plant grows neatly and you can pick leaves regularly.

With little space and a little care, you can fill your balcony with green. Fresh vegetables grown with your own hands are healthy and bring peace of mind as well.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.