I am super excited! My eldest (11yrs) and I went out to Walmart last night and purchased a starter kit for gardening veggies and flowers. We planted a bunch of seeds into the started kit indoors last night, due to the crappy weather. Mom, Dad, and all 3 kids had a great time together planting and getting all muddy and dirty!!
Wondering if these veggies (tomatoes, beans, and carrots) could be transplated into deep (18") clear plastic containers to be set out on our 3rd floor balcony. We are apt dwellers, but still want to enjoy gardening from where we live. -Thanks!
Shouldn't be a problem. I saw a lot of this in Germany. They had a full garden growing on their balconies.
I don't want to be the dark rain cloud, but also don't want you to be disappointed later after you invest a lot of hard work...depending on the varieties, it might be a bit late to start from seeds now. I bet you'll be okay with the carrots and tomatoes...but you may not have enough growing days for the beans.
Ensure that your containers drain freely and are getting at least 6 hours of sunlight everyday--rotate the containers every couple of days to get light on all sides. Using a slow-release fertilizer (like osmocote for vegetables--easy to find and good for beginners) will provide a constant stream of nutrition without having to worry about burning the leaves or salt build-up in the containers. Keep them evenly moist and try to water in the morning rather than the afternoon (to avoid disease problem).
Don't overcrowd the containers...transplant 3 tomatoes plants (plant them a little deep, they will generate roots on the stem which give stability), give them a week or so to establish and then cut off the two weakest ones. Carrots should be direct sowed in the final container and not transplanted.
Good luck. What a great activity.
of course! sounds great!
My stepdad plants tomatoes in pots all the time. They usually turn out pretty good. Tomatoes need as LOT of sun, so keep that in mind. Are your beans bush beans? If so, you shouldn't have a problem. Happy gardening!
OH! My stepdad plants marigolds in a pot next his tomatoes so the bees will pollinate the plants. I dont' know if it's a necessity or just something he's always done. He says if you don't have bees, then the plants won't grow.
http://www.amazon.com/McGee-Stuckeys-Bountiful-Container-...
Greetings! I used to live in a 3rd floor apartment in Houston - lugging all those things up 3 flights of stairs really sucks! I, too, wanted to do some growing, and found this book. I loved it - and I brought with me to get the specific types of seeds at Home Depot. Don't forget it there like I did! It has a lot of great info on the types of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers that work best for containers. I'll be getting this book again. Check it out. Maybe a library before you purchase it?
You cartainly can garden on your balcony!
Search Craigslist and get ahold of a few 5-gallon buckets. Drill some holes in the bottom and make sure you use potting soil (go organic and use organic plant food). Start your plants inside (which you have) and once they get to be sturdy and at least a few inches high, transplant them to the buckets and put tomato cages around the tomatoes and beans. You can also grow cucumbers this way...along with many others but I wouldn't take on too much your first year.
Best of luck and enjoy those fresh veggies and quality time with your family!
I have grown vegetables on my patio (apt dweller also) before, and think you could possible be okay with the beans but believe the carrots need a deeper setting than 18' inches to be completely sucessful. Try visiting the nearest garden center who could direct you to those that work great as a patio veg garden.
Yes, no problem. You might want to get this book at your library "The Square Foot Garden". It has lots of great stuff about small gardens. Good luck.
i have had regular gardens in the past and this is the first time i have tried to grow veggies in containers at my apt. you are not too late for beans. i live in the south and i just planted mine 2 weeks ago. A freeze will get to your container garden if you dont keep it warm. Just go by the guidelines on the packet for when to plant. i'm not sure that the 18 " pots will be big enough for the tomatoes though. A great book to pick up is square foot gardening. It's the book that has helped me with my in the ground gardening. Salad greens can be planted in cool weather and prefer it. Also go for bush varieties they are easier if you dont want to put up something for them to climb.
How much extra weight will you be putting on the balcony? maybe you should check with the land lord....
go for the lightest weight soil you can.
Square Foot Gardening book is great!
Happy Gardening!
K. Z.
Yes! I have grown all of those veggies in containers on our desk with great success! The carrots will require the most soil because they grow in the dirt. I suggest that you stake the tomato plant. Cherry tomatoes seem to work better in containers than larger variety tomatos.
