Hello, John! Without knowing very much about your balcony (exposure/sun/shade, measurements, etc.) or the types of plants you would like to grow, I can tell you two basics:

1. get a good potting mix.
2. get the right size pots for what you want to grow

Over in the Container Gardening forum, search for "tapla" and you should be able to find Al's recipe for a good potting mix. If you don't want to go that route, then just buy something like ProMix, Fafard or Miracle-Gro.

I'm going to guess that with your balcony only 10 ft. off the ground, you won't have downstairs neighbors? In that case, you won't have to worry about watering them when you water your plants.

Give us a little more info, and we should be able to help you better. There will be others along to share their experiences with you.

In the meantime, please browse through my 11th floor balcony garden (I like to grow everything!):

PV's Garden

Welcome to the forum!

PV

Taking a look at your journal, those ribs hit me right off! Thanks for making me hungry at 2 A.M.!

Looks like you like to grow everything too!

PV

In the meantime, please browse through my 11th floor balcony garden (I like to grow everything!):

Hi pvcik, I would have to be tethered to the wall to be gardening on the 11th floor. ;o) I would bet you don't have any slow drainage problems or many insect problems though.

I won't know the size of the balcony until we purchase the condo but I would guess it would be app. 12' X 6'. I will be looking for one facing SE to SW. I grow only vegetables but DW will have some tropicals out there in the summer. I have grown winter vegetables in 100% compost in the greenhouse with very good success so I may play around with the potting mix.

P.S. Great photos of your gardening.

Here is a link that might be useful: John's Garden Journal

This post was edited by jbest123 on Thu, Jul 25, 13 at 11:48

Hi John - Wonderful garden! I downsized in stages over about 15 years so the change was a little easier for me. Currently have 11 x 5 so the area would be similar to yours. Available floor space is unbelievable small, especially if you want seating. Hang anything and everything you can...wall mounted and/or suspended from rafters, soffet, railings, etc. Consider tipsy pots to maximize floor space...grow up. (Plantings, not you!) Mine are placed on pizza pans to contain runoff. Right now they have two 8" pots to stabilize base with four more on top. Multiple small tables with large pots on - and smaller pots under - or window boxes set on tables stringers.. Hope this helps...good luck and keep us posted.

Here is a link that might be useful: standing and hanging tipsy pots