Sky Dwellers - Any Apartment Patio/Balcony Gardeners Here?

[Dover]

I had an exchange with kentauros in another thread (Energy/Env. Forum) about apt. gardens that got me wondering about that. Maybe there are even books on this subject...sort of a niche of gardens that few get to see since many are way up in the sky.

Anyway, hope to see some pics of inspirational apartment garden projects. Instead of square foot gardening, maybe we need to have some 8' X 10' apartment balcony garden books. Would love to see the transformation (both vegetable and decorative types) within such a limited space.
I think space and weight restrictions might make a good argument in favor of using the green wall technique and containers (like from ELT Living Walls http://www.eltlivingwalls.com/ ) depending on the growing medium used.

Our empty panels weigh 5lbs and the planted panels range from 35-45 lbs (13 to 16lbs per sq ft) depending on the type of growth medium used. The panels with extensions weigh 10 lbs empty and 45-55 lbs (16-20lbs per sq ft) planted depending on the soil used.

And for small plants another type of vertical container:
http://theverticalgarden.com/

All Kinds of Railing & Fence Planters:
http://www.hooksandlattice.com/rapl.html

Teak Planter Boxes:
http://stores.ebay.com/DIAMOND-TROPICAL-HARDWOODS_Teak-Planter-Tree-Boxes_W0QQcolZ2QQdirZ1QQfsubZ970795QQftidZ2QQtZkm

A comfortable, inviting place to sit would be important for me.
Either a cafe table and chair, or better yet...one of these hammock chairs (and stand)
particularly the ones that are full enough to also allow you to pull your feet up and then stretch them out with the hammock stetching the length of your legs -
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Connect with other apartment dwellers who are avid or closet gardeners by starting a Meetup Group in your area around this topic: http://www.meetup.com/

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Turn Your Patio Into A Voluminous Vegetable Garden
by: Jill Homer

My first apartment was a second-story condo in an urban complex, far displaced from the groomed suburban landscapes and sprawling gardens I had grown up with. My only connection to the outdoors was a small porch, surrounded by brown siding and a fading carpet of artificial turf.

To add a little color to the patio, I adopted a few small tomato plants from a friend who had started his garden indoors, and planted them in large pots near my railing. To my surprise, they started to grow. Soon I had filled the 5’ x 10’ space with more than a dozen ceramic pots, plastic containers, and beach pails filled with peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and pole beans. Before I knew it, my porch was a curtain of green and my meals regularly featured home-grown vegetables.

cont'd

http://www.rentaldecorating.com/gardenpatio.htm

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Question:
My husband and I recently moved to an apartment. I am seeking ideas for inexpensive vegetable patio gardening. There isn't much direct sunlight on our patio.
Hardiness Zone: 8a

Michelle from Dallas, TX

Answer:

Michelle,
Growing vegetables on your patio certainly doesn't need to be expensive. The lack of sunlight, however, could prove to be a problem. For successful growth, most vegetables will need a minimum of 5 hours of direct sunlight a day. Some will need even more. "Leafy" vegetables (cabbage, lettuce) will tolerate the least amount of light, but vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots will need more sun. You'll have to experiment to see what grows best. To maximize the light you have, use strategically placed shiny materials and light colored rocks around your containers to reflect light back onto the plants.

The most inexpensive way to start vegetables is from seed. Varieties labeled "patio, bush, or dwarf" are often bred specifically for container gardening. Saving seeds from year to year will cut down on expenses even further, but you'll need to start with heirloom seeds and avoid hybrids if you want offspring true to the parent plants.

Just about anything that can hold a soil can be fashioned into a container: pails, trashcans, dishpans, plastic detergent or cat litter containers (cut down), wooden or wicker baskets, or even old leather or rubber boots. I like containers made from plastic materials, even though they tend to deteriorate over time with repeated sun exposure. They don't dry out as fast a terra cotta, transfer heat or rust like metal, and you can usually recycle them when you're done using them. If you use plastic containers, try not to spend much on them. Crops with shallow roots, like radishes, beets and onions, will grow just fine in old cake pans. Provide cages or trellises for climbers like beans, peas and cucumbers to save space, or plant them in hanging baskets and let their vines trail downward. If you don't have anything suitable on hand, shop around at flea markets, rummage sales or dollar stores. Make sure your containers have adequate drainage holes on the bottom.

In regards to a growing medium, plan on using a very light soil or a soil-less mix-something that will drain rapidly, yet hold nutrients and keep the plant's roots consistently moist. You'll need to water your vegetables daily and feed them frequently with a 1/2 strength liquid fertilizer like fish emulsion.

Ellen

About The Author: Ellen Brown is our Green Living and Gardening Expert. Click here to ask Ellen a question! Ellen Brown is an environmental writer and photographer and the owner of Sustainable Media, an environmental media company that specializes in helping businesses and organizations promote eco-friendly products and services. Contact her on the web at http://www.sustainable-media.com




http://bp3.blogger.com/_ruUugi8-l8U/RuwsWQ6c4EI/AAAAAAAAAmg/p4IcrFpqSWY/s400/aa+steen+flemming+at+his+balcony.jpg BALCONY OF DREAMS -

A great little balcony garden blog
by someone who has made a hobby of
finding interesting spaces around the world
http://balconyofdreams.blogspot.com/2007/01/tokyo-architects-balcony-garden.html


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Balcony Gardens bring another dimension to your life!

Being an apartment dweller shouldn't keep you from having a garden. Many types of gardens can be created on balconies. With the addition of floral color, a balcony becomes an entertainment center just right for relaxing. Turf, small shrubs, and dwarf trees can be used to create a suburban landscape in miniature above the ground. Balconies even offer the opportunity for food production, with flowering fruit trees and container-grown herbs and vegetables.

Whether transforming a high-rise penthouse or a simple second-floor terrace into a garden, a set of guidelines will aid in creating your "garden on high." First, consider how you wish to use the area. Are you looking for a colorful relaxation area or just privacy from an adjacent high-rise?

Second, evaluate the microclimate. Toward which direction does the balcony face? Note how much sun the area receives and for how long. If the balcony is recessed, does direct sunlight reach it at all? If the situation is very open, will you and your plantings be subjected to buffeting winds and scorching sunlight? Look at the area with a very critical eye before putting a lot of money in to the project. Some minor remodeling may need to be done to make the area inviting to both people and plants.

Safety considerations are another important factor to think about. Most balconies are required by building safety codes to support 60 pounds per square foot. Be sure to use a lightweight growing media which can reduce weight by up to 60% over standard garden soil. Avoid using heavy containers; plastics and cedar wood are recommended for low-weight situations....cont'd

http://www.mastergardenproducts.com/gardenerscorner/balcony_gardening.htm


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Bed of Grass (looks like some 'green wall' panels behind the grass bed as well).
www.scotttorrance.ca/home.html


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Rooftop Garden site with Balcony Garden section:
http://rooftopgardens.ca/en/balcony

Apartment Balcony Decorating Ideas (Oh My Apartment:
http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/apartment-balcony-decorating-ideas.html
http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/apartment-gardening.html


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Living On The Edge - Balcony Rooftop Designers Guild
http://permaculture.org.au/2006/03/13/living-on-the-edge-the-balcony-garden-designers-guild/

[Dover]

1. Upside Down Planting Containers for Hanging Your Garden Tomatoes, etc.

Hanging Gardens
Inventor: Bill Felknor, Felknor Ventures


To Learn More: http://topsyturvys.com

Products: http://topsyturvys.com/allproducts.html

No longer will you have to cage, stake or weed your tomato plants or battle cutworms and other ruinous critters to put fresh tomatoes on the table. The Topsy-Turvy planter allows you to grow beefsteaks, cherries or any other variety upside down on your balcony or deck. Simply fill the bag with potting soil, add a young seedling�almost any vine-growing fruit or vegetable will do�and let the leafy part hang out. Mount the hook, add water and fertilize. A young plant in a warm climate takes about a month to bloom and another month to bear fruit.






Or a more expensive style:


The Upside-Down Tomato Garden.

This ingenious planter takes the toil out of tomatoes by elevating the planting bed so vines grow downward. Hanging vines need almost no attention as tomatoes ripen in the air (not on the ground) where they wont rot. Complementary plants like basil, parsley, rosemary, and peppers can be planted on top, which holds up to 80 lbs. of topsoil. The compact planter can fit in any space with ample sunlight, even condominium balconies. A hollow base filled with sand (not included) keeps it stable and upright. The plastic planting bed, supported by PVC pipes, has openings for four tomato plants underneath, with pop-out perforations for four additional openings. Minimal assembly; requires no tools. 48" H x 25" sq. (19 lbs.) ................. $74.95

http://s7ondemand1.scene7.com/is/image/Hammacher/67403?wid=180

?400x400

[Dover]

3. Free Standing 4-Arm Plant Hanger, a Raised Bed Frame and Cover, and Grow Rack

Freestanding Four-Arm Plant Hanger
Constructed of thick, powder-coated steel, this freestanding 7-foot tall hanger holds up to 250 pounds and has a sturdy base to keep it upright and stable on a deck or patio.

Freestanding hanger for deck or patio
Ideal support for our Revolution Planter
Use seasonally for birdfeeders and hanging flower baskets
$99
http://www.gardeners.com/Post%20Hanger/VegetableGardening_Accessories,37-623,default,cp.html


And a raised bed frame with cover:
http://www.greenhousekit.com/guarden-minigreenhouse.htm




STANDARD - 5.25" - MINI GREENHOUSE For serious High-Yield gardening, maximum measurement 4' wide by 8' long. Inside height of 43"!

The Greenhouse film included with the GK Series protects against Frost in the early spring and Extends the growing season in late fall. If deer, birds, rabbits are a concern use our PEST NETTING to thwart these uninvited guests!
Place your Guarden on a PATIO, DECK or BALCONY or create a STANDUP garden. - just put a landscape lining inside the frame first AND be sure the structure can hold the total weight (estimated 1300 lbs - includes soil, plants, Guarden). Use lightweight soil (available at your local gardening center) to reduce the weight to about 650 lbs!


Grow Rack:_______________

Juliana Grow Rack
Featuring a removable, UV-coated plastic cover, these grow racks are ideal for extending the growing season in the spring and fall! Plus, their compact size allow them to be placed on decks, patios, or indoors next to a window.
Grow racks are ideal for starting seeds in the early spring as you would use a coldframe.

Grow racks come with a UV protected, clear, vinyl cover which holds in humidity reducing plant's watering needs. Easy access and ventilation is provided by the zippered door panel in the covering.

Grow racks also include a powder coated steel frame and multiple steel shelves which are perfect for maximum growing in a small space.

Grow racks include:
Attractive dark green plastic and steel frame
Vinyl slip-on covering with zippered door
4 adjustable shelves to accommodate taller plants

http://www.greenhousekit.com/growracks.htm

[Dover]

2. An instructive site about growing veggies in containers

How to (size of container for veggie type/soil mixes/fertilzers and plant foods, etc.)-
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1647.html

List of Veggies Suited To Container Growing:
http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/envirohort/articles/vegetables/contvegs.html

[K8-EEE]

4. Wow!!!! Thanks so much for this.

I don't have a balcony situation exactly, but a small city lot, I'm so interested in every type of urban gardening....hope it really takes off, what a healthy trend!

[asdjrocky]

5. Great stuff here Dover.

I've got enough here to keep me busy for a while. Thanks.

[Dover]

6. Are you an sky dweller?

I'm hoping someone will show us some pictures of their balcony garden project...otherwise referred to as 'edge gardening'. Lots of room for creativity along with the practical reasons.

[asdjrocky]

7. Nope, I'm a back yard guy.

This is my first garden this year and it's turning into a farm. I've got a 31' x 28' area done now, and soon I hope to be putting in some fruit trees.

[Dover]

8. NICE! Yes gardens have a way of 'growing' on us...lol!..n/t

[asdjrocky]

9. No kidding!

I'm thinking of networking this so I can help feed some hungry people. The town I'm living in right now has the highest foreclosure rate in Ca, and the second highest in the country so there are some hungry people here. What I hate is that people let fruit rot on trees and throw vegetables away when we could be taking them to a food bank or homeless shelter.