Vegetable options for condo terrace

(Question)

Hello, we just downsized from a house where we had a large sheltered vegetable and herb garden to an 8th floor condo. The place has a 400 square foot east facing full sun terrace and wanted suggestions for what we could grow. Thank you.

(Answer)

Before hauling pots, soil and plants up to your new condo, I would suggest you read the condo rules & regulations surrounding balcony gardening and if it isn’t clear what you can “do or not do”, then I would highly recommend you get clarification in writing from your condo board.

That being said, if you’re given the go ahead, growing vegetables and herbs in containers on a balcony is not as daunting a proposition as you think.  You may be limited somewhat by container size but there are so many smaller varieties of older favorites that you might have trouble deciding which ones to grow.  Below is a short list that you might like to explore, but you may discover other options at your local nursery/garden centre when the vegetable and herb stock arrives in from the growers in early to mid May.

Vegetables for 12 inch pots (minimum):

  1. Tomatoes (support stakes or cages needed)
  2. Beans – Bush or Pole (support needed for vines)
  3. Peas (support needed)
  4. Chili Peppers
  5. Sweet Peppers
  6. Beets
  7. Carrots
  8. Cucumber (support needed)
  9. Eggplant
  10. Zucchini

Vegetables for 8 inch pots (minimum):

  1. Swiss Chard
  2. Kale
  3. Asian Greens – Bok Choy

Vegetables for 6 inch pots (minimum):

  1. Lettuce (baby leaf / mesclun)
  2. Green Onions
  3. Spinach

Vegetables for 4 inch pots (minimum):

  1. Radish
  2. Green Onions

Herbs for Containers – these can be planted together in larger pots or singly in smaller pots

  1. Parsley
  2. Chives
  3. Rosemary
  4. Sage
  5. Thyme
  6. Basil
  7. Tarragon
  8. Oregano
  9. Mint (best to plant on its own as it tends to out compete everything else)

Remember, container gardening demands a bit more attention than an in ground veggie plot so you’ll need to water daily and feed on a monthly basis with an organic fertilizer.  Hope this is helpful and you get to enjoy the fruits of your labors.