Balcony Vegetable Garden Tour

Welcome to my balcony vegetable garden. Living in a small space doesn't mean you can't be more self-reliant when it comes to produce. That's because you don't need a lot of space to grow fresh vegetables, herbs, and fruits. You don't even need land.



As a homestead dreamer currently working in a city and living in a townhome, I've had to come up with creative ways to make the most of my space. In doing so, I've realized just how much you can grow and enjoy a small space garden. That's exactly what I'm doing on a deck.



I'm going to show you not only what I'm growing, but how I'm using and preserving what I grow in a small garden. My goal is to move into relying less on the grocery store and stock my pantry. And you know what? You can too.



My garden isn't perfect, but while I wait for my farm dream, I'm turning my waiting room into a classroom. I have a suspicion that you're becoming a farm girl too, so let's tour the garden together.

Hydrangea

I'm in love with my endless summer hydrangeas. I am so glad this season I became unstuck from thinking that a small garden doesn't have space for beauty.


The aromatics of potted lavender and a soon-to-blossom blueberry plant and succulent are a trio I enjoy every morning.

Plant growing

Did you know blue jay corn is one of the only varieties made especially for container growers?


It's stunning and will yield 3-4 ears per stalk. My rosebush speaks to my cottage garden soul. I just love it. My quartet of zinnias will soon be an explosion of bold summer colors.

Tomatoes

I've potted purple pole and rattlesnake beans and snuck in some zucchini in cloth bags. This season has been unseasonably cool and wet, but things should steady out soon. I think I'm about to have my best tomato year ever. I've packed several varieties in this screened-in planter. So far, we're blight, blossom, and rot-free.


My hydrangea is a recent rescue from the clearance section at Home Depot, but she's tough and will return to her full glory.


My peppers and fuller-sized tomato plants are growing slowly but steadily. I have plenty of rosemary, but can you ever have enough?


Velvety sage and full-sized varieties of white and deep purple eggplant line the far side of my arch-squashed trellis.

Vertical plant pots

Yesterday, I planted my second GreenStalk. GreenStalk planters are perfect for gardening in small spaces. In this GreenStalk, I have a combination of 30 starter plants and direct-sow crops.


This past winter, I thrifted an animal trough for $30. I'm growing some loving tomatoes and spaghetti squash. A portion of our built-in seeding is home to potted herbs, rain-soaked sunflowers, and pollinators. In my other GreenStalk I have 60 plants in two square feet between the two.


These vertical planters are the best way to maximize a small space. A planter box that I've tightly packed with several varieties of herbs including pineapple sage, mint, rosemary, and stevia is not only my aromatherapy sanctuary but has incredible usefulness in the kitchen.

Mint jelly

1. Mint jelly

Mint is a vigorous grower and yields frequent harvests that allow me to enjoy it in daily teas and make homegrown mint jelly. Mint jelly is a boutique item that is quite expensive for the price you'll pay at the grocery store.


I love making it at home because mint jam makes an excellent homemade gift. Mint jelly is perfect on roasted lamb as a filling in thumbprint cookies, stirred into iced tea, and served over chocolate or vanilla ice cream.

Plants

I've allocated the only in-ground space in our townhome lot to grow a variety of shade-loving crops like broccoli, lettuce, chard, and cabbage.


I started most of these this winter indoors in milk jugs. I'm able to harvest about six robust bowls of fresh salads each week.

Plant

Nothing beats being able to have salads on demand. Best of all it doesn’t require refrigeration and won't spoil on you. Even with little or no land, you can still enjoy farm-to-fork eating.


I'm a GreenStalk fan because it's allowed me to quadruple my growing of full-size herbs, fruits, and vegetables. The other day I harvested an eclectic mix of golden and garden sage, oregano, orange mint, and rosemary. I dry these herbs to make my own morning tea and herb butter.


Try it at home, but don't throw away those stems and ends because you can create an herb-infused water which is an easy way to sneak in extra vitamins as you hydrate.

Herb butter

2. Herb butter

Because I frequently harvest my herbs to promote continuous growth, I look forward to once again building my stockpile of assorted herb butters to enjoy throughout the fall and winter.


Herb butter is so fun to serve to others or give as a gift. It will keep for months in the freezer.

Pesto

3. Pesto

My basil is also doing so well this year, and for my most recent harvest, I decided to make homemade pesto. You can't beat backyard basil pesto. The basket I harvested yielded over four quart-sized bags that I placed in the freezer.


My cherry tomatoes were also ready for harvest, so I grabbed them to add to tonight's dinner. My lovely neighbors have supplied me with eggshells and other kitchen scraps, so I enjoy sharing my harvest with them even though it may not be much. I also want to build the habit of sharing from my garden even now, while it's still small.


Balcony vegetable garden

Dinner in the garden is the best place to be. It's just the beginning of the season, and friend, let me tell you that you can say yes to your garden or farm dream in a small space and in your spare time.


I hope this inspired some ideas for your DIY balcony garden.

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 2 comments
  • Dmf2346205 Dmf2346205 on Oct 20, 2023
    I very much enjoyed your post, showing how anyone with patience, even in a small space can supplement their diet with wholesome foods.😊
  • Hope Hope on Nov 02, 2023
    Hi Cassandra...I'm very inspired by this article. I have heard of the Green Stalk Systems but am wondering if they have any limitations in regard to plant size and root system size. At this moment in time, I would look at the system and have no clue of what to plant in it or how to stagger (top to bottom) the plantings so there's no over-crowding of foliage, etc. Do you use soil in the system or is there some other type of medium..? I think I read that it self-waters but...do you add any liquid fertilizers to the mix..? Thank You So Much!!! :)Have a great day! 🌺🐝🦋
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