At least twice a year, balcony gardeners are faced with the question of how to dispose of old balcony plants. In May, summer flowers take over the floral scepter from spring bloomers. In September/October, summer balcony plants pass the baton to the autumn plants. This guide explains how to deal with wilted plants wisely.
How can you dispose of old balcony plants properly?
Balcony plants can be disposed of as follows: pull out annual plants including root balls and dispose of them in the organic waste bin or shredded in the compost, move perennial plants or overwinter frost-sensitive specimens.
Start for a second life - implement perennial balcony plants
Some of the most beautiful balcony plants for winter and spring are far too good to carelessly dispose of at the end of the flowering period. A shining example is the wonderful Christmas rose, which enchants with its white bowl flowers in the winter flower box. Place the perennials, including the root ball and as much soil as possible, in the bed in a partially shaded location. Wherever Helleborus niger feel comfortable, they will remain loyal to you for another 20 to 25 years.
Dispose of annual balcony flowers professionally - this is how it works
For annual flowers, the end of the flowering period is the final curfew. The following options are available for proper disposal:
- Pull wilted plants and their root balls out of a box or bucket
- Dispose of in the organic waste bin
- Alternatively, chop up the plant residue and dispose of it in the compost heap
- Clever: harvest the ripe seeds before disposal for propagation by sowing
Gardeners with a large balcony should consider investing in a vermicompost (€139.00 on Amazon). It's not just the remains of annual balcony plants that can be disposed of. Uncooked kitchen waste also goes in here to be processed by busy compost worms into valuable natural fertilizer in solid and liquid form.
Overwinter cold-sensitive summer perennials instead of throwing them away
A variety of summer balcony plants come from distant countries and are not hardy. Geraniums, fuchsias and other species thrive in their habitats perennially. If there is sufficient space behind glass, the exotic specimens can overwinter north of the Alps in order to repeat their flower spectacle next year.
Tip
Examine each balcony plant carefully for pests before winterizing the plant. If you notice aphids and the like, targeted control under quarantine will prevent the pests from finding their way into the winter quarters.