What can I grow?

Jacka87

Hi,

I am a complete nebie to fruit and veg growing! I have a yukka plant, and some other small connifer thing that has managed to live on my balcony but a small plant (cant remember what type) died when it was out there but that could have been my fault.

Anyway I live 8 storeys up and have a small balcony, I get direct sun from about Midday until late evening (balcony on the west side of the building) but I get good light all day as their is no taller buildiungs in the way!

Basically I was looking to find out what I can grow on this balcony in terms of fruit or veg.

I also have a kitchen window (North Facing) that I would like to grow some veg or plant on if possible.

If you can help me with sugestions then please let me know.

redsam

cut and come again salad leaves, basil and other herbs on windowsills,
potatoes in a sack/bag on the balcony
carrots in a pot
raspberry canes in a pot
runner beans - 3 canes in a wigwam in a pot
perpetual spinach on the balcony

a few ideas!

babyshoes

Start with something easy - lettuce and radishes in a large, shallow tray (a cheap cat litter box is perfect), with a few holes drilled in it, or a proper plant pot, filled with compost and placed on the balcony. You should just about be able to get a crop in before winter this year.

Pots of growing herbs you can buy in the supermarket never last that long on a windowsill, but give you a feel for what you want to grow. When they are getting a bit big for the pot, you can move them to a bigger pot which often helps them keep growing for a while longer.

Chillies will grow well in a pot, start them off on your windowsill next year, and move them out once the frosts are over.

Some varieties of cherry tomatoes grow well in a hanging basket - we have had handfuls of little tomatoes this year so far, and more green ones to go.

The trick is to experiment and find out what will and won't grow for you - there are some plants that just won't grow for some people! (That's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it!!:P)

BexInLondon

If you're buying supermarket potted herbs, and this doesn't sound too difficult, then gently break apart the plants and separate them into a few pots. I have done this with mint and basil and they have survived, whereas before all the supermarket herbs I bought died after a few weeks.