What Fruit Is Best to Grow on a Balcony?

Strawberries

• Strawberries are one of the best fruits to grow in small spaces. They produce berries during the first summer, depending on the variety, take up little space and look charming in pots and containers. Plant ever-bearing or day-neutral types in baskets, pots or even metal troughs. Remove the blossoms until July to allow the plant to develop strong roots. Water the plants frequently to keep them evenly moist and fertilize them every two weeks with a water-soluble fertilizer. Cut back the foliage in the fall and remove any small, weak plants to keep the pots from becoming overcrowded. Cover the plants with straw in the fall to protect them from winter temperatures.

Grape Vines

• Grape vines are arguably one of the most beautiful fruit crops you can grow. They produce lush, dark green leaves, tendrils and vines, as well as glistening fruit. One vine is plenty and you'll need a sturdy trellis or support for it. Plant grape vines in a 10-gallon container and place them in full sun. Prune and train grape vines to encourage good fruit production. Grapes are more tolerant of drought than most fruit crops, but water them at least weekly in hot weather. Fertilize them if growth lags or the leaves turn yellow.

Blueberries

• Blueberries are beautiful shrubs, with blue-green foliage, white blossoms, blue berries and red fall foliage. Choose lowbush, dwarf varieties that have a compact form. Blueberries are self-fertile, depending on the variety, but produce better crops if grown with another variety that blooms at the same time. Plant them in a 10-gallon pot, using a mix of equal parts peat moss and shredded pine bark. Water blueberries as needed to keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy. Fertilize two or three times during the growing season with an acid fertilizer. Place blueberries in full sun, protected from strong winds. Mulch blueberries with straw in the winter and wrap them in burlap.

Dwarf Fruit Trees

• Plant dwarf apple, cherry and peach varieties on a balcony or patio. Use a 15-gallon pot and good potting soil. Apples are not self-pollinating, so you will need two varieties for fruit production. Cherry and peach trees prefer mild temperatures and are easily frost-damaged by late spring storms. Grow them in a protected, warm location. Water trees weekly to keep the soil moist and fertilize moderately in spring. Too much fertilizer causes leafy growth at the expense of fruit. Prune the trees in spring to remove dead or diseased wood and control growth. Dwarf trees can also be espaliered, or pruned to lay flat against a wall.