Site Considerations

• Successful vegetable gardening typically requires a minimum of 6 hours per day of direct sunlight, although some plants thrive in partial shade. Balconies with southern exposure are the most favorable for most plants, and those that face north may be limited to more shade-tolerant crops. Because floor space is limited, well-designed balcony gardens make extensive use of vertical space. Use trellises to grow plants up unused wall space, and plant vegetables in hanging baskets from ceilings, eaves and railings.
  
  

What to Plant

• Balconies that receive full sun can be planted with a much wider variety of vegetable crops, including tomatoes, melons, beans, cucumbers, eggplant, peppers and squash. Kitchen herbs, such as parsley, chives and oregano also grow well on sunny balconies, and require minimal space. More shaded balcony gardens are limited to partial-sun tolerant vegetables, mostly root and leaf crops. Potatoes, carrots, broccoli, salad greens, radishes, beets and brussels sprouts are all somewhat tolerant to shade. Dwarf cultivars exist for most vegetables as well, and these can help gardeners maximize their yields in limited growing space. Water container-grown plants regularly, up to twice a day in hot climates. Apply a balanced vegetable fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks, according to the manufacturers instructions.
  
  

Container Culture

• Most vegetables are adaptable to container culture, and many cultivars have been developed specifically for that purpose. Almost any container is suitable for balcony gardening, as long as it has holes in the bottom for water drainage. Crops with more extensive root systems, such as tomatoes or eggplant, grow well in containers with a volume of at least 5 gallons. Use hanging baskets to grow vegetables with vining or trailing growth habits. Container gardening requires a light, well-draining potting mix, rather than topsoil or garden soil. A mix consisting of one part peat moss, one part coarse sand and one part garden loam is adequate for most vegetables.
  
  

Additional Considerations

• Start container gardens on the same dates listed for inground gardens, generally in the spring after the last frost date has passed. Place seeds or transplants in containers filled with potting mix, to within a ½ inch of the top rim. Ensure potting mix is slightly moistened when planting, and label each container with the date, variety and name of the plant. Water containers gently after planting. If trellises or other support systems are employed, install them while plants are small, to avoid damaging roots. Inspect plants periodically for the presence of insects or disease, and protect them from extreme wind and weather.