Balcony Gardening

[zenie]

I gave it up as a bad job, think my balconies faced the wrong way on both sides and didn't get enough sun.

Pip if you need any big plastic tubs gissashout

 

[psycherelic]

I'm going to be getting a place with a balcony from the 1st of April but can't get anything started before then, is it going to be too late to start seeds off by then?

I was thinking of herbs, tomatoes, courgettes, peppers, chillis and aubergines are any of these going to be pointless to be sown at the start of April?

The balcony doesn't stick out from the building, but is south/south west facing, is it going to get enough light for those things? Apparently tomatoes have been grown successfully there before.

Are they going to need fertiliser etc? I'd rather be organic but I do actually want to see some results for my work.

Any other suggestions for good things to grow?

Finally where is good near Brixton hill to get seeds and compost etc...

 

[psycherelic]

Will the 1st of april be too late to start my balcony garden?

Anyone?

 

[tufty79]

i'm starting planting out some seedlings next week - will sow a load for you to pass on if you like?
good place for compost is one of the pound shops on brixton high street. most of them are good for fruit and veg seeds...

got some carrots sprouting and a few spare an' all
re: will 1st april be too late?
give it a go and see what happens

 

[prunus]

Will the 1st of april be too late to start my balcony garden?

Anyone?

Hell no, all of those things will be fine to start in April, 'specially on a south-facing balcony, you'll do fine.

i'm starting planting out some seedlings next week - will sow a load for you to pass on if you like?

How come your seedlings are sprouting eh? - I'm still waiting for the ones I told you about to show their faces. Oh, and given that I seem to be having no luck, shall I just put some seeds in the post for you - probably be quicker that way (P.S. hope all is well with you now)

 

[tufty79]

seeds. i meant seeds
got some tomatoes from the pound shop and then realised i paid a quid for essentially a microwaveable soup packet with a wee bit of sandy soil in and *five* "hand picked" tomato pips

gettin there slowly, thanks, prunus - the new lock is aces
seeds in the post would be lovely ta!

 

[prunus]

seeds. i meant seeds
got some tomatoes from the pound shop and then realised i paid a quid for essentially a microwaveable soup packet with a wee bit of sandy soil in and *five* "hand picked" tomato pips

gettin there slowly, thanks, prunus - the new lock is aces
seeds in the post would be lovely ta!

Glad to hear it

OK, pm me your address and I'll send you a selection. Would you prefer them labelled or lucky dip-style in one envelope?

 

[psycherelic]

i'm starting planting out some seedlings next week - will sow a load for you to pass on if you like?
good place for compost is one of the pound shops on brixton high street. most of them are good for fruit and veg seeds...

got some carrots sprouting and a few spare an' all
re: will 1st april be too late?
give it a go and see what happens

Hey tufty, Starting stuff for me would be really cool, I'm going to order loads of seeds tomorrow, more than I need so maybe we can share?

 

[geminisnake]

Not having a go but how do you think anything gets grown in Scotland? It's not warm enough up here that early

I stopped going away for an easter break coz I got fed up with snow when I was needing to drive home!

Peas only take 6 weeks to grow so plant them at intervals(if you like them)
Can't you even plant a tray or two and take it with you? You get them and compost in £ shops and the compost should have enough nutrients in it for the toms but you can get organic feed for them too afaik.

Courgettes need pollenating if you want produce.

Can peeps growing carrots let me know how they get on. I've never managed to get them in pots successfully.

 

[Mrs Magpie]

Carrots are not dependent on day length like many plants are. Start them off indoors in pots in a loamy soil. Try the variety called Amsterdam Forcing Sweet.

 

[psycherelic]

Thanks for the replies, I feel a bit stupid now

It's just every time I see a bit of sun or rain at the moment I worry that my garden to be isn't getting it!

I'm buying my seeds from this place http://www.alanromans.com , the'yre loads cheaper than most of the places I've seen so probably not as good but they'll do the job won't they? I know most of the seeds on that site are f1 so will be no good for saving seeds but that's not the end of the world is it?

 

[lynne8]

My balcony is about that size, I usually grow cherry tomato plants, lots of herbs (rosemary, chives, basil, sage) and put nasturtiums and pansies (sp?) in pots. I would love to grow some peppers but I have never tried. This year I want to get a bay plant. I'm in Northern British Columbia so we have a late spring, I've started some stuff indoors from last years seeds. I've also got some poppy seed heads from boyfriends mum, not sure what to do with these?

Any ideas what else to grow in a not so hot climate?

 

[Melinda]

SEED SWAP:

I have some mixed lettuce seeds, as there are 750 in a packet and I have plenty to spare.

Any corriander, parsley, basil or other summer herbs wanting to do a swap?

 

[psycherelic]

SEED SWAP:

I have some mixed lettuce seeds, as there are 750 in a packet and I have plenty to spare.

Any corriander, parsley, basil or other summer herbs wanting to do a swap?

I have seeds for all of these except corriander which you'd be welcome to, if you like I could even germinate some for you?

 

[Melinda]

Oooh! Yes please! I also have some godetia seeds to share! PM on its way!