Need some help from those who grow some of their own veggies

[NachtJaeger]

I really want to have my own veggie garden, but I'm having some issues. First I live in an apartment. I do know that there are several veggies that do well in containers and many of them are veggies that I want. It'd be nice to have veggies that I like to eat but fiance doesn't and to not have to pay for them at grocery store prices. But I have never done this before and am slightly overwhelmed! It doesn't help that I have NEVER gardened in Texas before. I grew up in Colorado and well the growing season is a bit different there. So here's some issues/questions/info. Any tips or advice or heck straight out yes you should or no you shouldn'ts will be appreciated. And any others who are in a similar situation are more than welcome to add in and ask questions.

I have a pretty good sized balcony and our apartments aren't too particular on what we grow so long as it is legal.
We have sunlight all morning and by around 2-3 pm we are in complete shade.
I'd like to grow some bell peppers, cucumbers, small lettuce heads (something like iceberg or romaine if I can), snap peas (preferrably sugar snap), Zucchini, some green onions and carrots. I know its a large variety but like I said my balcony is pretty large and I don't need a lot of each since Jake won't eat any of it but the lettuce and carrots. Do these do well in the houston, texas area? Do you have any tips on growing these plants, when to start, light water, ect?
I was thinking of using large plastic storage containers (like from walmart), and drilling the holes in the bottom, do you think the veggies would do well in them?
Everything I've read mentions compost, I don't really have a place to start one and well I've never done that before. So are there substitutes for it or can I purchase it?
Does any one have any reccomendations for potting soil and fertilizers for the plants I want?
Or how about a gardening for dummies book that you would reccomend? Something that might be able to better explain the needs of the plants I want than the internet sites? Cause a lot of what I have found online seems to be for those that have experiance in this area. THe last time I grew veggies was with my dad's help as a kiddo.. but I really want fresh veggies!

Thanks in advance

EDIT - I misspelled holes... *sigh*

[country-mare]

Most of the things you mention will grow fine in your area.
But I think it will get to hot for lettuce, it's a cool weather plant
for fall gardens.
When growing cucumbers look for Spacemaster(bush type)
to save space. Check your local farm and ranch centers.
ALso try local Dollar stores for cheap containers, I don't see why
the ones from Wal-Mart wouldn't work. You can find compost
type potting soil at Wal-Mart, usually out side with the bigger bags
of potting soil and mulch. You can also get cow manure, chicken or
other to mix in your potting soil to help, you can get this also from
Wal-Mart. Good luck with your garden.

[pasomystic]

These sites might help.

http://journeytoforever.org/garden_con.html

http://lifeonthebalcony.com/best-fru...for-beginners/

[mandelyn82]

The problem with the plastic containers is that they could get too hot, and steam the roots. You would have to water before bed, after they've cooled off, and before it gets hot again, and be careful not to over-water.

You may want to get some of that mesh sunscreen, to lower during the hottest parts of the day if you can. It allows some sun through, but not the full force of it. Or even just cheese cloth, to act as sort of a filter to keep everything from getting too hot.

OOooo, what about the deep tubs, about a foot and half deep, what could you put in the bottom that's not as heavy as gravel? That would get the roots going good, without getting too hot because of the depth of the soil.

You'll want to buy baby plants, or start your own sprouts before planting them.

Have you seen those upside down tomato plants that you hang? I've seen a lot of those big and bushy hanging off balconies.

[Horselessnomore]

Good luck with your balcony garden.
My girlfriend has great sucess with tomato plants in pots - she grows both "regular" tomatos and the "mini" type. She uses large pots and uses a tomato cage to support the plants. Peppers also do well in pots.
With pots, you can always "stack them on old chairs/benches to maximize your space and get more plants out on your balcony and maximize the sunlight that they are getting. Peas may also do well. You could have them climbing up on a trellis on a wall.
Strawberries do well in those clay pots with lots of openings (Wal-mart) and you can certainly grow lots of different herbs in smaller pots as well.
Let us know what you decide to grow.

[RockwoodDawn]

Don't forget some herbs. You will be sirprised how nice a crop of chives, basil, oragano, etc you can get from a little space.

[taelesean]

You can do the bell peppers in those tomatoe growers you hang upside down (the peppers and tomatoes are related)

You can line a big tub with vermiculate and then place a smaller tup inside it. The vermiculate will hold the water and provide insulation. Put some bricks in the bottom of the big tub to maintain the space.

Carrots and onions will do best in large flats.

[Horse poor]

There is a good book about this, it is called The All New Square Foot Gardening. It is written by Mel Bartholemew who wrote another like it in 1970's. He also has a soil mix that is called Mel's Mix. It has vermiculite, peat moss and compost in it so you don't have to worry about what is in the dirt. Check it out, it might be just what you need.

You can also look up square foot gardening on the internet.

[NachtJaeger]

Thanks everyone! You all gave some good ideas of more things to look into. So back to researching. I may end up spending this year mostly reading and talking to people to get more info before I start one. Though I am growing some herbs on the balcony right now with my flowers. THose are all doing well. I'll keep you updated when/if I do some veggies soon.

[Gramma Sassy]

For my container gardens I have had the best luck with very large flowerpots. The kind with a well in the bottom for drainage as well as to hold water to help keep the roots from getting dehydrated. I will try to see if I can dig one out from under the deck and post a photo this weekend.

I put a cheap potting mix on the bottom third of the pots to take up space, I then fill the pots with a potting mixture which contains a timed release fertilizer and (very important) a moisture retention supplement. I have purchased the soil mixture in 50 lb bags at Sams club. I think it's a Miracle gro, or Scotts product.
The moisture retention additive are little semi clear sort of crystaline granules. These "beads"look like grains of sand, or raw sugar. When you water the plant the little beads absorb massive amounts of water, they will swell up to the size of little peas, and the plant roots are able to drink it as they need it. It really helps keep the plants from getting too dry and provides a moisture sypply that stops short of drowning your plants.

For the most cost effective and reliable container gardens, might I suggest, peppersof all kinds; tomatos ( The roma varieties are versatile and generally heavy bearers) bush cucumbers, Zuchinni (keeping in mind that these plants have enormous amounts of large hairy leaves and will take up substantial space. I grow mine in an old horse tank and only plant two or three plants. I still have to cut it back. Green and yellow beans can climb if you give them a trellis and plant a climbing variety. I have also grown spinach and leafy lettuce in containers. Wasn't impressed. I do plant a herb garden in an old galvanized tub.

JMO, but I wouldnt bother with carrots, lettuce, or anything that is ususlly reasonable at the grocry or the farmers markets. They just require too much pot space and dirt depth to make them cost effective.

Good luck and have fun !

[EquineAlberta]

You can grow some types of lettuce in your house. I used to have a head of butter lettuce in a hanging basket. It was great as I could just clip the leaves off as I wanted to use thm.

Karen

[myboyjake]

Originally Posted by taelesean

You can do the bell peppers in those tomatoe growers you hang upside down (the peppers and tomatoes are related)

You can line a big tub with vermiculate and then place a smaller tup inside it. The vermiculate will hold the water and provide insulation. Put some bricks in the bottom of the big tub to maintain the space.

Carrots and onions will do best in large flats.

yea those topsy turvy thingy dos

http://www.hangingtomato.com/

[farmergal]

Think vertical as well as horizontal. Here is some inspiration. http://www.growpots.com/