We live on the 3rd floor of a condo complex. Our one bedroom unit is only about 700 square feet with a balcony facing north (and maybe slightly west).
A very messy balcony…
So, how in the heck do I plan to garden at all in such a small space? Especially without a garden or yard?
A couple of weeks ago I took a short Sustainable Vegetable Gardening class sponsored by Cascade Water Alliance and the Saving Water Partnership. The presenter, Ladd Smith, provided a lot of really good information for gardening specific to the area we live in, the Pacific Northwest, just 20 minutes north of Seattle. Ladd co-runs In Harmony Sustainable Landscapes with business partner Mark Gile.
Here’s a short list of the main topics Ladd covered:
- Basic Vegetable Gardening
- Choose the right spot
- Build raised beds
- Always care for the soil
- Plant Northwest varieties
- Buying Vegetable Seeds vs. Buying Vegetable Starts
- Smart Watering Practices
- Fertilizers
- Basics of Pest Control
- Companion Planting
- Intensive Gardening
- Fruits and Berries
- A Few More Thoughts
- Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
- Plant a row for the hungry
Among the reasons for growing your own food, Ladd’s class outline provided a few great reasons: “wanting to be more sustainable; knowing where our food is coming from; local food reduces our carbon footprint; fresher food; more nutritious; and save money.” On top of that, I was super excited to finally learn how to garden. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, especially since my mom used to plant and garden when I was a kid.
My plan is to use salvaged items, such as the three cabinet drawers pictured below, to use as raised plant beds. I was able to grab those three drawers from someone in my local Buy Nothing group that was gifting kitchen cabinet parts. Read this post to learn more about the Buy Nothing Project! I haven’t measured how deep the drawers are, but they may end up being a little too short for planting fruits and veggies. Ladd mentioned that raised plant beds should be at least 18″ above ground. We shall see!
The current state of our balcony.
Our balcony is also covered, so we don’t get a lot of direct sun. I plan on lining up my plant beds right up to the front railing and perhaps on top of a table.
Ladd also provided a few handouts. One of these was a short informational guide titled Growing Food in the City, an online version can be found on gardenhotline.org. Growing Food in the City covers most of the topics Ladd went over, so get a hold of it if you’d like to try your hand at home gardening. Another handout provides a useful chart for planting “companion” crops, which are simply types of fruits or veggies that help each other, and flowers you can plant that “attract beneficial insects.” Because there are pests that can destroy all your hard work, it’s a good idea to learn how to keep them away in a way that is safe for us as well as the environment.
Everything I learned in this introductory class was so useful and interesting and will help me plan and grow fruits/veggies. Hopefully, I’ll be able to document everything well enough and share with you my successes as well as my failures. I hope more people will try home gardening. It’s a great way to help the earth, ourselves, and others if we’re able to share our bounty!
Happy gardening, learning, and growing!
Your writing style is concise and clear, making it easy for readers to understand complex concepts. To delve deeper, click here.
I had been a gardening enthusiast since my childhood,always had wished for a lush and vibrant garden all year round, Youtube and Google used to be my go to solutions whenever I faced problems, but it never had all the information at a place and also in order to get proper information a lot of research was needed. Always wanted for a complete solution. Then my friend suggested a book, got it from him just to try and wow its amazing. Bought my own after using it for few days. The revolutionary gardening product is carefully designed to empower both novice and seasoned gardeners, achieve bountiful blooms, thriving vegetables, and healthy foliage effortlessly.
Few things that it contains:
1.The 7 herbs you need in your Medicinal Garden
2.How to get your own Independent Source of Water
3.How to get pressurized HOT water with this simple off the grid system
4.The Handy Beehive – Grab Your Honey Jar Directly From The Hive
5.The Plant you can grow in tiny indoor spaces year round for an Extra Income
6.Easy on the Back Gardening
7.The “Perpetual Mini-Tower” that turns every kitchen scrap you throw out into free and nutritious fertilizer for your plants
8.The Ultimate Seed Collection and Preservation Guide
9.50+ Chicken Coop Secrets for a Low Effort Organic Protein Source
AND MANY MANY MORE , A COMPLETE PACKAGE.To learn more about this subject, click here.
Your post offers a fresh perspective on the topic, backed by solid evidence. It’s thought-provoking and insightful. For more insights, click here.
Medicinal Garden Kit. BRAND NEW!
Buy at very low price average. $72.55
This product is perfect for you.
High Payouts! From the creators of The Lost Ways and The
Lost Book of Remedies! Converts well on interests like health,
herbalism, self-sufficiency, off-grid, gardening, DIY, survival, and others.
We created this Medicinal Garden Kit because we wanted to empower
other people to take their health into their own hands.
In a crisis, people will turn to plants once again for both food and medicine.
And there are some plants that will vanish faster than all others.
So the only way to make sure you have them when you need them is
to grow them in your own backyard.
All these seeds have been handpicked from the very best plants.
What you see is what you get—seeds for powerful medicinal plants
that are perfect for making your own remedies at home, now or in
times of need. This package offers you more than you could ask for:
a natural antibiotic, a herbal painkiller, a wound healer, and many more.
I myself have used this product. This product provides excellent result.
Copy and paste this link into Google Chrome. And buy this product at a very reasonable price.
Link. bit.ly/45S1y4C
Your article not only informed but also inspired. If you’re seeking more inspirational content, click here for powerful quotes and stories related to the topic.
Your article left me with a sense of empowerment and motivation. If you’re seeking more motivational content, click here for inspiring stories and quotes.
Your post is a breath of fresh air in a sea of generic content on this topic. It offers a unique perspective. To delve deeper, click here.
The unique approach you took in tackling the subject made this article stand out. If you’re hungry for more unconventional perspectives, click here for an out-of-the-box exploration.
Your post is a valuable resource for anyone looking to expand their knowledge on the topic. It’s thorough and well-explained. To explore further, click here.
Your post offers practical solutions and strategies that readers can apply in their daily lives. It’s actionable and valuable. To explore further, click here.
Your post highlights the potential of becoming a freelance proofreader or editor for authors, publishers, or businesses looking to ensure the accuracy and professionalism of their written content. For more information, click here.
Bravo on your blog post! It was well-crafted and engaging. I found the examples you shared to be relatable, and they helped solidify my understanding of the topic. To gain further insights, click here.
Your article left me with a desire to learn more. If you’re hungry for additional resources, click here for a curated list of books, podcasts, and videos on the subject.
I really like this idea. We need to be able to adapt ourself with the place and nature we have. Whatever, Your blog post was a valuable resource on the topic. I liked how you incorporated real-life examples and case studies to illustrate your points. To explore more, click here.
TedsWoodWorking is a game-changer for woodworking enthusiasts! The comprehensive collection of plans is incredibly diverse and detailed, making it a valuable resource for both beginners and seasoned craftsmen. The step-by-step instructions and high-quality visuals simplify complex projects, and the vast array of designs ensures there’s something for everyone. TedsWoodWorking has truly elevated my woodworking experience, providing unmatched value and inspiration, click here.
Your blog post was a valuable source of information. But I know the way to learn easiest things. To learn more, click here.
Your post provides a fresh take on a popular topic. It offers new insights and perspectives. For more insights, click here.
https://359c06w9i99u6pceua3o-2th38.hop.clickbank.net check this awesome product for home and gardening
I appreciate the real-life examples you’ve incorporated into your post. They make the content relatable and applicable. click here for additional insights.
I’ve tried many products to combat dryness, but this one is the winner. It has deeply hydrated my skin, and it feels soft and supple all day long. click here to achieve a plump and glowing complexion!
I’ve recently come across an incredible woodworking site that has completely transformed my projects! The detailed plans, tutorials, and tips have helped me take my skills to the next level. If you’re passionate about woodworking and want to create stunning pieces, check out this amazing resource:click here. It’s been a game-changer for me, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to improve their craftsmanship!
This post is a breath of fresh air. You’ve managed to explain complex concepts in a simple and understandable manner. For more details, click here.
Thank you for sharing this well-researched and thought-provoking blog post. The information you presented was valuable, and I enjoyed reading your unique insights. To gain more knowledge, click here.
Your blog post was a valuable resource for anyone interested in the topic. I found the information you provided to be comprehensive, and I appreciated the additional resources and references you included. To gain further insights, click here.
Want to make money by offering consulting services? click here and learn how to share your expertise and provide valuable advice to businesses and individuals.
Thank you for sharing such an insightful and well-researched blog post. Your expertise on the subject shines through, and I enjoyed learning from your perspective. To gain more knowledge, click here.