Balcony Gardening
I am lucky that in this apartment we have a long 'entrance' that is exposed to both to the east and south. This way, I get sun here almost all day long. Which is great for growing things. Hopefully, come fall/winter, I can offer enough protection that they will last a bit longer than normal.
The first thing I 'planted' was a handful of strawberry plants I had dug up while weeding at Tizer Botanical Gardens. I was told I could have then and since I hate throwing plants away, I brought them home. They are in a potato 'bag' filled with potting soil. Over the past couple of weeks, with the warming temperatures, they have taken off. Granted I won't be canning from this little patch of strawberries, but we will have a couple dozen off them. This is fun, especially since it's been years and years since I have grown strawberries.
Yesterday, I got my pots and the rest of my tomato plants. I am really amazed at the number of what I consider 'heirlooms' available on the commercial market these days.
I have seven tomato plants:
I have grown all of these in the past. Lemon Boy has always come through for me, regardless of where I planted it. Sun Sugar is a branch of Sun Gold and they always put out tons of cherry tomatoes. Black Cherry, another great producer. And every time I have planted a Juliet Grape, I am overrun with tomatoes. Guess the people at work will be getting some cherry and grape tomatoes this year.
I do have two pots, a bit larger than these, where I have planted Scarlet Runner beans on one side of the pot so I can train them up the railings. Then I have Sugar Snaps in the front of the pot. Not enough to really do much with, but enough that I can snack on a few. I also dropped a couple of nastursiums in the tomato pots so they will grow over the edge and hang down.
In the next week, I will get a couple of pots for herbs. Thinking one for mints and another for herbs - rosemary, chives, thyme and basil.
Now when we give directions to the house, I can say "look for the plants".
(The above picture was taken early - like 7am early. My two gardening helpers.)
The first thing I 'planted' was a handful of strawberry plants I had dug up while weeding at Tizer Botanical Gardens. I was told I could have then and since I hate throwing plants away, I brought them home. They are in a potato 'bag' filled with potting soil. Over the past couple of weeks, with the warming temperatures, they have taken off. Granted I won't be canning from this little patch of strawberries, but we will have a couple dozen off them. This is fun, especially since it's been years and years since I have grown strawberries.
Yesterday, I got my pots and the rest of my tomato plants. I am really amazed at the number of what I consider 'heirlooms' available on the commercial market these days.
I have seven tomato plants:
Mortgage Lifter
Pink Brandywine
Cherokee Purple
Lemon Boy
Sun Sugar Cherry
Black Cherry
Juliet Grape
I have grown all of these in the past. Lemon Boy has always come through for me, regardless of where I planted it. Sun Sugar is a branch of Sun Gold and they always put out tons of cherry tomatoes. Black Cherry, another great producer. And every time I have planted a Juliet Grape, I am overrun with tomatoes. Guess the people at work will be getting some cherry and grape tomatoes this year.
I do have two pots, a bit larger than these, where I have planted Scarlet Runner beans on one side of the pot so I can train them up the railings. Then I have Sugar Snaps in the front of the pot. Not enough to really do much with, but enough that I can snack on a few. I also dropped a couple of nastursiums in the tomato pots so they will grow over the edge and hang down.
In the next week, I will get a couple of pots for herbs. Thinking one for mints and another for herbs - rosemary, chives, thyme and basil.
Now when we give directions to the house, I can say "look for the plants".
(The above picture was taken early - like 7am early. My two gardening helpers.)
Looks great! Now you have me energised to get my garden done this weekend...
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