Sky Gardens: Greener, Healthier Savings

In the previous article of this series, we noted two considerations that must be examined prior to setting up your sky garden; sunlight exposure and wind. In this article, we’ll look at a simple sky garden setup; how to pick the right vegetables to grow for your location and how to take care of your plants to maximize growth potential.

Simple Sky Garden Setup

The golden rule to just about anything is K.I.S.S (Keep It Simple Stupid). In other words, don’t make things more complicated than they need to be. We’ll need a shelf to raise the plants up to light if you have enclosed railings. If your railings are see-through (thus nothing blocking the sunlight), you can place your plants directly on the floor of the balcony. We’ll also need containers (pot and drip tray) for the plants to grow in as well as soil and some type of fertilizer or plant food. It’s entirely your choice whether you begin your plants from seed or seedlings but keep in mind that seeds will typically need to be started 4-6 weeks ahead of time and you cannot place your plants outdoors until the risk of frost has ended (for those you get cold winters).

Picking Your Pots

Made from up to 75% recycled, plastic 4 liter pots (which would suit most plants you plan on growing) cost as little as $1.50 each from department and discount stores. Assuming you had an 8-foot by 2-foot area to work with, you’d be planning for a maximum of 24 plants and thus the pots (and drip trays) would only run you about $26.00 (CDN). You could choose to work with ceramic, glass or clay pots, but keep in mind that these would in fact be more expensive.

Picking Your Plants

Again, whether starting from seed or seedling, the most important aspect to consider when choosing which produce to plant, will be the amount of direct sunlight your balcony receives. Cool crops prefer cooler temperatures, producing better in the shade while warm crops typically love the heat and enjoy having very little shade. A quick Google search will produce a ton of links concerning the differences between the two as well as tips and techniques but remember, rules regarding plant choices are not written in stone. As long as your plants receive at least 4 hours of direct sunlight a day and are cared for properly, many different plant types will produce well. A quick example would be that tomato plant varieties are planted in full sunlight and yet, individuals have seen incredible results when they are also planted in the shade.

For the first-timer, lettuces, cabbage (red or green), broccoli, onions, peppers and tomatoes are among the easiest to grow. Keep in mind however that any flower producing plant (such as tomatoes) will need to be pollinated; if your garden is 10 stories up, insects may not be able to reach your plant and you may have to handle this yourself.

Building Your Garden Shelf

Simple and inexpensive, using 2″x4″s for the legs and cross-beams, and 1″x2″s for the shelf top, this style can easily be constructed for less than $10.00 (CDN) for an 8 foot long Garden Shelf. Take your 2″x4″s and create a ‚”U” shape measuring about 30″ high by 24″ wide. This will be the legs of the shelf and used to distribute weight. Create one (1) ‚”U” shape for every 2 feet of shelf. Once completed, turn the ‚”U” upside down, position 2 feet apart (in a row) and lay your 1″x2″s on top to create the shelf. This simple design can be completed by a novice in about 20-30 minutes. You could also opt to buy a shelf from a department store or online and there are many to choose from, but again, be prepared to spend a lot more.

Managing Your Sky Garden

Once you’ve got your plants in pots and everything setup on your balcony, all we’re left with is watering and feeding. Unlike a ground garden, potted plants require less water (because there is less earth for the water to soak into), but they require more frequent watering. In general, you will want to water your plants 2-3 times a week to ensure they don’t dry out. Different plants do have different watering requirements so some will prefer watering less frequently whiles other will prefer more. Feeding your plant (organically or not) will replace the nutrients it has removed from the soil. Feeding should occur about every 2 weeks. More often than that can cause negative side effects including wilting, mold or fungus growth and even sunlight sensitivity.

Greener, Healthier Living and Saving Money

Not only will balcony gardens increase the green space in our cities, but you’ll also reap the benefits of eating fresh home grown produce. Just imagine having a salad filled with vegetables picked just minutes previously. As if that were not enough, think of the money you’ll save. Depending on the length of the growing season (and produce chosen to grow), some of you have enough time to grow two crops every summer, eliminating as much as a thousand dollars of expense from your grocery bill.

Other Articles In The Series

Sky Gardens: Greener, Healthier Living That Saves Big Bucks

Sky Gardens: Growing Cabbage, Cauliflower or Broccoli