Gardening in an Apartment?

Question

I would really like to start gardening, but I live in an apartment. I do have ample patio space for planters, but the sunlight would be minimized due to the screen. I'm clueless, so let me tell you a few things so you can give me the best advice!

I'd like to grow things I will actually eat, like onions, potatoes, carrots, avocado, fruits, green onions, garlic, lettuce, squash and green beans. I would like it to be fairly low maintenance, and not too costly.

I do not care to grow only herbs, or any tomatoes.

As I said, I am a novice, so I'd really appreciate good feedback on this one!

Answer 1

start with easy to grow plants like beans, potatoes, carrots

Answer 2

To grow vegetables, you really need to have 6 hours of sunlight a day.  Do you have that much on your patio?

Answer 3

You are fortunate you have a balcony with your apartment to grow things on – I have to set up light stands and use window boxes outside and my window sills inside.

Anyway if you are intent on gardening and do not have enough light to grow the things you want – most garden vegetables, fruits and herbs need full sun – you surely will be able to grow other things that would make you feel like you are gardening. Sometimes you are better off growing plants that will grow well under the conditions you have at your disposal rather than grow things that will only get by or do poorly.

Most vegetables need 6 – 8 hours of direct sun each day to do well.

With fast growing leafy vegetables you can get away with 5 – 6 hours of direct sun.

Although there are vegetable varieties bred for their ability to grow in small spaces, many need room to grow or to sprawl. And since most vegetables are 70 percent water – constant moisture is a basic necessity of a vegetable garden.

You will reap what you sow. So the more time you invest in caring for - and learning about the needs of the things you want to grow, the more successful you will be, which will encouraged you to do it again next year. Good luck.