Growing Vegetables for Apartment Dwellers

A small balcony and a never-give-up attitude is all it requires to be a small-space horticulturalist. Tomatoes, broccoli, swiss chard, peas, beans and anything that will grow in up to a five-gallon pot is fair game. There will be a steep learning curve if this is the first attempt at a deck garden but the reward of reading amongst the smell of tomato vines makes it worth the effort.

The process can be divided into three main stages: propagation, growing and harvesting. Each has its own problems but also its own rewards. The goal is to make it to the ‘harvesting’ stage when it all pays off.

Propagating the Seeds

Propagation is, in some ways, the easiest part as the rules are simple and the techniques practically infallible. First, the gear: fluorescent lamp (anything from a desk lamp to warehouse model), growing trays, soil, seeds and water. The growing trays work best if they have a clear cover but it isn’t imperative. Once all the supplies have been gathered it’s time to start sowing.

Small pots, growing disks, plastic sectional inserts or newspaper cylinders suffice for propagation containers. The growing vessels should be filled with soil, several of the chosen seeds sprinkled on top and covered with a light layer of additional earth then watered thoroughly. If the growing tray has a lid it should be securely put in place and a few inches above the top of the containers. The light source is then moved over the tray and you can walk away. With a lid for the propagation tray little or no extra watering should be needed for the duration. A mini-greenhouse should be the end result which will fog up and retain its moisture. If there is no cover than checking the moisture levels should be a daily ritual. The setup should be located somewhere warm, preferably near a sunny window.

The Seeds are Now Little Plants

In a few days the real magic begins; tiny green sprouts should emerge. This is when it becomes real. The small potential salad growing in the trays should now slowly be acclimatised to the world around it. Once a good number of the seeds have sprouted, the lid (if any) should be lifted, partially, from the tray to allow air to flow. When the first true leaves emerge the seedlings should be thinned leaving only one plant per container as to not over-stress. The seedlings are now well on their way to becoming full-fledged plants.

The seedlings, having reached a height of three to five inches can now be transplanted into the large pots which will be their permanent home. The potential plants should be planted in soil firmly enough that a gentle tug will not dislodge them. It’s now time to introduce them to the outside world. Move the plants to your deck or a sunny window, a south-western exposure being an all-around good choice.

With luck, a bit of watering and some TLC will lead you to a crop of fresh vegetables but be prepared for setbacks. Birds love young plants, a strong rain storm while the plants are still small can wipe them out in a few minutes, a late frost in colder climes can destroy roots, even a hungry pet will wreak havoc. Propagating a few more seeds may be the price paid but perseverance is its own reward.