Why grow herbs on your balcony?: Well fresh herbs and some vegetables are expensive at the supermarket and have a very limited shelf life. For a small cost you can have fresh herbs that can be harvested over a long period of time and can be grown in a small space.

So What should I Plant?: This really depends on what you normally use or cook with but I have found Parsley, Thyme, Rosemary, Oregano, mint, etc are all easy to grow and are fairly forgiving when watering is missed. They also take up a small amount of space for the amount you will require from them.

What will you need?: Well a good place to start are Pots, or Tubs, Soil - Potting mix, Water, fertiliser, the plants.

Pots: These can be bought from your local plant / hardware store but if you are doing this on a budget and or in a sustainable manner, have a look at recycling containers or tubs that maybe lying around. I used a disused polystyrene vegetable box I found in the rubbish room of the apartment block and 2 old recycle black containers which weren't in use any more. Both these items needed lots holes drilled into the bottom. Don't be stingy with the holes either as you don't want water stagnating in the base or you will end up with an anaerobic soil.

There are 3 main issues with growing any plant on a balcony. These are: Soil nutrients and fertiliser (low odour organic variety), Water, Sunlight and temperature

Soil and Nutrients: Soil usually can be a problem but as we are growing in containers we have control over this with manufactured soils. A good premium potting soil mix with water holding capability designed for vegetables and herbs is a good place to start for a balcony herb garden. During the growing season a low odour organic fertiliser should be used such as a fish emulsion fertiliser. These tend to smell shocking in the neat pre-mixed form but once mixed with water and used on the plants, it takes on a seaside smell) You don't want to get off side with your neighbours especially living so close!

Water: Pots and potting mix require a decent amount of water as a result of the small size of pot and soil volume and potting soil mixes well draining characteristics. Different types of pots and exposure to the elements will also affect the evaporation levels as well. Each season of the year will require different water requirements. A good way is to push a finger an inch into the soil then rub the soil between your fingers to test for moisture content. If the soil has shrunk from the edges of the pot it means it has dried out and should be carefully watered as the water may just run straight down the sides without getting to the root system.

Sunlight and temperature: The amount of sunlight will be dependent of the orientation of the apartment and balcony (my balcony orientated West so it gets really hot in summer but gets very little sun in winter). Sunlight can be controlled with the use of reflectors, glass house type elements and awnings. In my case I use the awning in Summer and large clear plastic bags in Winter but with herbs types mentioned above they generally aren't too fussed.

If you also like cooking then having fresh herbs available for easy picking is a huge bonus.