When it comes to growing vegetables in a limited space you have to make sure that you choose your vegetables incredibly carefully. This obviously applies to every gardener, no matter how large you space is, but it is more important for gardeners with a limited space such as a balcony.
Below, I will go through a checklist that will help you pick the perfect vegetables for growing in your limited space. But don't worry, if you still get stuck then towards the end of the article, I will tell you which vegetables I recommend you grow.
So here's my checklist for deciding what vegetables to grow in a limited space:
Number 1 - Pick Vegetables you Like
Above all, you need to grow vegetables that you are actually going to eat. It's a great idea using your vegetable growing as a way to discover new vegetables, but if you are limited on space, then it is a good idea to stick to what you like. You can't afford to go experimenting because if you don't like it, then you will have wasted space that you could have grown something in. A great thing to do is write down your 10 favourite vegetables. Once you've done this, you can begin to eliminate ones that don't fit the remaining criteria for growing in a limited space.
Number 2 - Pick Tall, not Wide
The concept here is you generally have a lot of space vertically, and are limited in actual floor area. Therefore, by picking plants that are tall such as runner beans and peas, you can yield a greater number of produce.
The other thing to bare in mind is that you will want to use shelving where you can when growing your own in a limited space. So you don't just want tall plants, but you also want plants that don't grow large, this includes salad leaves, radishes, beetroot and so on.
Number 3 - Pick Vegetables that will Grow in Pots
Of course, nearly all vegetables will grow in a pot if you can find one big enough. However, in order to grow some vegetables such as potatoes, you will need a rather large pot that not only will cost a fortune, but will also take up a lot of your space.
In general, plants that grow above ground and that aren't root vegetables do well in pots. So anything from lettuce to tomatoes through to peas. I would avoid growing large root vegetables in pots such as celeriac and swedes but you can have a go at growing beetroot and carrots (provided that you get a pot that's at least 30cm deep).
Number 4 - Pick Vegetables that you can Harvest Quickly
You don't want to sow vegetables in your limited space that are going to take a whole year to grow before you can eat them. You want vegetables that have a quick turnaround time such as peas, radishes, salad leaves, beetroot and spring onions. These are vegetables you can sow, grow, harvest and then repeat over and over within a year so you have a continual supply of vegetables.
Number 5 - Grow Herbs!
OK, not really a criteria but one I had to throw in there. I personally think that growing herbs in a limited space is a must and that is why I have included it here. They are perfect as you can pot them up and stack them on shelves. You will continually use them and they will always be there. They also don't take up much room. Below, as part of my recommended vegetables to grow in a limited space, I will go through the selection of herbs I would recommend growing in your limited space.
So there you have it, a 5 point checklist (well 4 really). Hopefully that helps you narrow down what to grow. Still stuck? Then keep reading! I'm about to go through the vegetables I recommend growing in your limited space.
Herbs - When it comes to choosing herbs to grow in your limited space you need to think of what you use personally. I tend to take a 25cm diameter pot, and plant each herb in one of these. I'm a huge fan of herbs so have quite a lot, but if you're limited, you really do need to think about what you use.
Personally, I feel that the most popular of herbs are Coriander, Basil, Parsley, Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano and Sage. However, if your space is incredibly limited, then growing 7 herbs might be impractical. If it is, remember to go for the ones you use often if your own cooking.
Carrots - Some may panic at the thought of growing carrots in a small area, but it can really work. Simply get a pot, about 30cm diameter and 30cm in depth, then sprinkle of a few carrot seeds. Cover with compost and leave! Before you know it, you will have carrots popping up through the ground. The great thing is that you can pick one or two carrots out as and when you need them as they keep quite well in the ground.
Spring Onions - The reason I have put spring onions on this list is because they take up very little room. In fact, you can grow them in a 15cm diameter pot and from this pot you can expect to yield a good 10 to 12 spring onions. So if you're throwing together a salad, pull one out, slice it up and throw it in. That's 10 to 12 salads worth of spring onions. They also are ready for harvest within a couple of months which means you can rotate the sowing of them so you have a constant supply.
Beetroot - Very much like carrots, with these, you want to grab a handful of the seeds, sprinkle into a pot of around 30cm diameter and 25cm in depth. Then let them grow. Thin the seedlings out so there is around 10cm around them in space so the beetroot can grow. They don't grow much in height so they are great for stacking on your shelving.
Mixed Salad Leaves - Not only are mixed salad leaves great for growing in a limited space but they're also easy to grow. Grab any pot of any depth and any size, sprinkle with your seeds, cover and water. Within a few weeks you'll see the seedlings popping up and a few weeks later you'll have salad ready to pick and use in the garden.
If you don't want to buy a ready made up mixed salad pack of seeds, then you can make your own. Just buy the salad leaf varieties you like from rocket to spinach then mix all those seeds in one bag. Done! Now use this mix and sprinkle into your pots.
Radishes - The thing with radishes is that they are a quick turnaround vegetable. You can plant them and be picking them in a month or so. All you need is a tray that's around 8cm in depth, just plant them in rows, stick them on a shelf and let them grow. Pick them and sow again and keep going throughout the year.
Tomatoes - I don't know anyone who doesn't use tomatoes in their cooking at some point (sorry if you don't). But there are so many dishes you can create with tomatoes: Tomato soup, tomato pasta sauces, tomato salads, bruschetta, salsa and so on. That's why I think it's important to grow tomatoes no matter how limited you are on space.
The thing with tomatoes is that they will grow just about anywhere, no really they will! I've grown tomatoes in old tin cans before so grab whatever container you have, sprinkle in the tomato seeds and let them grow and do their thing. It's a great idea to try a few different varieties if you can to find out what works best for your space.
Peas - Be warned! Peas can get a bit out of control, so when you grow them, you need to give them something to grow up. That's why I think growing peas on a balcony is a great idea. If you look at pea shoots, you can see these thin curly claw like things. These are used by the peas to cling on anything and everything.
Therefore, I would recommend grabbing a long trough and planting your pea seeds at 15cm intervals. Then place this trough against your balcony railings. As it grows, give it a little guidance and give it a nudge in the direction of your railings. This works great and you'll also be able to see where all your pea pods are dangling down.
There's eight different types of vegetables I would grow, from salads through to vegetables for your roast dinner. You could quite easily grow all of these on a small balcony. It's all about space management. Now you know what to grow, it's all about working out where to put it.
Remember, shelving is your friend. Use shelves around the sides of your area and you will soon have your perfect vegetables garden.
If you do find yourself still struggling to Grow your Own, or if you want more free information then visit Grow This N That for your collection of completely free Grow your Own guides. Click Here to grab yours now!
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