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.

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.

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.

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.

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.