Vegetables on north-east facing balcony

irishfairy

Hey guys,
so I had this bright idea today to start growing vegetables on my balcony. I am entirely clueless about plants so I need loads of advice if anybody would be so kind to give some!
So my balcony is north-east facing, it doesn't get a lot of sun except for the morning (if the weather permits) so I'm looking for veg that would grow in the shade. It has a roof as we're not at the very top of the building, so it's dry and half the front has a big glass panel across so it doesn't get very windy and still the most amount of light. I don't have any pots yet and I don't have any boxes hanging from the railing but that will of course be arranged as soon as I know what exactly to do.
So what kind of vegetables can I grow in these conditions (also herbs, possibly as well on the sitting room window sill, facing the same way as the balcony) and at this time of year, and also at any time next year? What equipment do I need for them, i.e. depth of pots, size of pots etc?
Would greatly appreciate any help I can get with this!

walltoall

Go for it. If the balcony gets LIGHT that is as important as sunlight. Starting in August (which is harvest time) is not exactly the best time. You might try a winter cabbage plant in a pot. Just keep it alive by not drowning it. It'll grow a little during Sept. maybe into early October before going dormant til late Feb. 2012 when it'll start up again and you will have a head of cabbage for Easter. Maybe you have access to the roof? Or might be let up there. Plenty sun and light and rain.

irishfairy · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 11:50 pm Post subject:

So I'm way off track at this time of year... I'm such a city and apartment block child Very Happy

Will try the winter cabbage, thank you!
Would herbs still go?

James Kilkelly

Research for the next growing season irishfairy......

Window box vegetable growing for gardeners with limited space.

Window box vegetables, What you will need & how to put it all together.

Vegetable seed sowing and watering for containers.

A series of article I wrote on the very subject you are interested in.
I hope you find them helpful.

irishfairy · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 4:30 pm Post subject:

Thanks a million for that, very interesting and helps a lot for such a non-green newbie like me. Will prepare and stock up for next year rather than start now...

Maeve Drogheda · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 5:24 pm Post subject:

Hi Irishfairy,

You are not too late to plant some herbs, and maybe a few scallions on your balcony. If you want to try a few herbs you can pop along to homebase to the grow your own section, and pick a few to start off. If you are successful with any then next year you can grow them from seed.

Just remember to bring them indoors during very cold weather. All you need is light.

Have a go either way

irishfairy · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 6:27 pm Post subject:

Oh great thanks! I love scallions, I use them a lot, so I will definitely try that and a couple of herbs. The herbs can go on the window sill of my sitting room as it faces out the same way as the balcony.
And then I will start with some seeds indoors next year like I have read about before moving them outside to get a head start...

My problem is that if I have an idea I want to do it right away and in this case it's just not possible...