With the arrival of **spring**, longer and sunnier days invite us to renew green spaces. Every year, thousands of people take advantage of this moment to start or revitalize a garden, even in small spaces like **[balconies and terraces](https://noticiasambientales.com/compromiso-ambiental/jardineria-en-el-hogar-como-revivir-la-tierra-de-macetas-y-huertas-con-ingredientes-caseros/)**. The interest is not only in having fresh food at hand, but also in reducing the **ecological footprint** and reconnecting with **nature**.
Cultivating at home allows for better use of resources, minimizing the purchase of products in plastic packaging, and contributing to a more **sustainable diet**. An urban garden becomes a refuge for **biodiversity**, where pollinating insects like bees and butterflies find food and shelter.
**Balconies** are unexpected allies in this process. Although they may seem limited in space, the right choice of pots and the use of **recycled materials** allow you to make the most of every corner. The key is to select species with a **spring cycle**, easy to care for and adapted to semi-shade or full sun conditions, depending on the orientation of the home.
In addition to being a therapeutic and educational activity, gardening on balconies helps lower **ambient temperature**, filter the air, and create healthier environments in cities. Spring, with its mild climate and moderate rainfall, is the ideal season to take the first steps.
## Steps to set up a spring garden
1. **Evaluate the available space**
Before starting, observe the orientation of the balcony. If it receives direct sunlight for more than 5 hours a day, you can grow fruit vegetables like tomatoes and peppers. In spaces with less sun, it is better to opt for green leaves like lettuce, spinach, or chard.
2. **Select the right containers**
Pots should be at least 20 cm deep for most crops. Buckets, drawers, or large bottles can be reused, always perforated to allow drainage. The use of homemade compost or soil mixtures with organic fertilizer improves substrate fertility.
3. **Prepare the soil and fertilize**
A recommended mixture is: 50% black soil, 30% compost, and 20% perlite or coarse sand to aerate the substrate. Incorporating crushed eggshells or ash helps balance minerals like calcium and potassium.
4. **Choose what to plant in spring**
Among the most recommended species for balconies are:
– Tomatoes cherry: resistant and high-yielding.
– Peppers and chilies: require full sun and good irrigation.
– Lettuces and arugula: ideal for small spaces, grow quickly.
– Basil and parsley: aromatic plants that repel insects and accompany other crops.
– Carrots and radishes: easy to grow in deep pots.
5. **Water consistently**
Watering should be frequent but not excessive. Spring is usually humid, but on windy days, the substrate can dry quickly. An ecological trick is to collect rainwater to use in the garden.
6. **Care for and associate crops**
The combination of species improves production and protects against pests. For example, basil favors tomatoes and repels mosquitoes, while arugula coexists well with carrots.
## Ecological and urban benefits of a home garden
Having a garden in spring not only provides fresh food but also strengthens urban **biodiversity**. Plants attract pollinators, essential for the reproduction of many species, and help maintain the **ecological balance**.
In **environmental terms**, each garden contributes to reducing **waste generation**, as it allows for reusing kitchen scraps as compost and decreasing the dependence on disposable packaging. Additionally, it absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, favoring air quality.
Another relevant aspect is its social and educational impact. A **home garden** teaches us to value the rhythms of **nature**, promotes responsible consumption, and can become a shared activity within the family. Cultivating in spring is a reminder that every seed, no matter how small it may seem, is part of a larger network that sustains life.
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