Total newbie - help!

16 years ago

Hi everyone! I've been lurking in the forums for a while, and just signed up today. I've tried searching for information and I've found some great tips, but I was hoping for a bit of personalized help from someone patient enough to guide a newbie through planting her first balcony garden.

I live in Bethesda, MD (which I was told was 6b), and our 13'x 4' balcony faces south (I'm on the 2nd floor). We have large trees surrounding the balcony, but the trees are totally bare right now, so I'm not sure how much sun I'll actually get this spring/summer. I also have a patio that faces west(ish), but it doesn't get much sun due to a wall around it.

What can I grow in these conditions? I'm only interested in edibles - tomatoes, primarily. I'm a CA transplant and I miss my tomatoes! If I could plant anything I'd want:

tomatoes

basil

zucchini

strawberries

lemon

sage

dill

eggplant

I can't figure out what (if anything) would be appropriate for our balcony, and how to actually start this project. I can't keep any plants in the house (my cats eat them), and the condo rules say nothing hanging on the balcony and no "storage containers" on the balcony - they say pots with trays underneath to catch the water are okay.

I know I'm all over the place and I realize my options are limited, but any guidance you can give me would be much appreciated.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

linaria_gw
16 years ago
Hey there,
I would try some stuff and watch it closely and take some notes if it works out or not, it helps for future gardening.
----
your balcony probably doesnt get too much sun for the trees, but I would try all the stuff for one season.
---

I would go for large pots/ containers with a diameter of a foot or more. Dont get greedy and grow too much stuff in too small pots. The result is poor starved plants and a lousy harvest.
----
how to start
Tomatoe, zucchini and eggplant I would by as young plants, as well as sage (add sand or gritt to the potting soil).
If you know someone with a garden: Strawberries produce runners which you cann pinch off and pot up. If not, buy some.
----
start basil from seed, it quite easy

I tried dill myself several times on the balcony, it never grew properly, probably something about the standard potting ground/soil.

and the lemon: they tend to be fussy. I havent got a clue about your winter climate. But if it is so cold that you have to put your lemon indoors, its then that the problems start. Its tricky to overwinter a citrus without a greenhouse, so at least dont be disappointed if there are problems.
good gardening,

cheers, Lin
ms_chimera
Original Author
16 years ago
linaria - Thank you so much. I was thinking of getting 2 large plastic containers and trying zucchini in one and eggplant in another, then a pot for a tomato plant. Can I plant any herbs in the pots along with the zucchini/eggplant? I was thinking of getting a set of small pots for growing sage and rosemary, but I was hoping I could plant the basil with another veggie in the same pot. I just don't want to make a huge investment and see it all go down the tubes - I'd like to do this as economically as possible.

My friend does have a large garden with lots of strawberries - she'll help me with those - can I do those in a strawberry pot?

It definitely freezes here - we had about 30 inches of snow last winter, so I guess citrus isn't in the cards.

Thank you again for your help!
Related Professionals
Palm Bay Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Atlantic City Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Manhattan Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Tallahassee Landscape Contractors · California Landscape Contractors · Asheville Landscape Contractors · Aiken Landscape Contractors · Lincoln Landscape Contractors · Binghamton Landscape Contractors · Cornwall Landscape Contractors · Fergus Falls Home Builders · Watertown Home Builders · Kingman Home Builders · Palm Desert Home Builders · Amherstburg Home Builders
haase
16 years ago
I wish you a lot of success. And keep us posted. I'm very interested in that.
I always thought that tomatoes do need full sun. But so many plants these days have been engineered.... I would ask in a nursery.
Good luck.
Ingrid
nancyanne_2010
16 years ago
'Stupice' tomato grows / produces well in less than full sun.
pink_warm_mama_1
16 years ago
There are tomatoes called Bush Tomatoes which I have started from seed, then put two to a green Wal-Mart grow pot. They've done very well, and are not inclined to grow up - just out. You might want to try them. Good luck.
kippie
16 years ago
Hey there - As a balcony edible gardener I understand your plight! I am in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, and we are quite similar to you - we are zone 6a. In this zone tomatoes, eggplant, and most herbs need to be started indoors and then moved out. I am sure you are part way through this now but, basil and tomatoes grow really well together :)

I'd love to hear how it is going! Another good place to check is the container gardening forum :)