I have never grown anything in my life - Ask Extension
Hello,
I have no idea what im doing. I began with lavender seeds.... they died after i didnt water them for a day thinking they would be over watere...
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I have never grown anything in my life #876859
Asked July 11, 2024, 4:08 PM EDT
Hello,
I have no idea what im doing. I began with lavender seeds.... they died after i didnt water them for a day thinking they would be over watered. I bought two bell pepper plants for $4, one is growing a bell pepper rapidly, the other is stagnant. My question is.. where do you start when you want to grow your own food. (I am also a college student my plants are crammed on the balcony).
Greene County Ohio
Expert Response
Hi Mia,
Don't worry, you too can successfully grow veggies and herbs - even on your balcony!
Here are some basic tips for growing plants in containers:
Start small with just a few of the more popular container crops, such as salad greens, peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, beans, chard, beets, radish, squash, or cucumbers. Herbs such as basil, sage, mint, and parsley all do well in containers.
If you are starting from seeds, carefully read the seed packet to make sure you plant the seeds at the right time and the right depth. Follow instructions for the amount of light, heat, and moisture required for germination.
Look for “bush” or “dwarf” varieties of the crops you want to
grow. There are more and more varieties being developed for
small-space gardening. Check the catalogs or web sites of seed companies, such as Burpee, Renee's, Johnny's, and Park, for the latest varieties. Some of these companies have a special section just about container gardening.
Determine how much sun your balcony receives. Southern and western exposures will be the sunniest and warmest, while northern and eastern exposures will be shadier and cooler.
Fruiting vegetables, such as tomatoes and peppers, prefer 6-8 hours of sunlight each day while leafy vegetables will usually produce satisfactorily with only 4 hours of sunlight. Choose your plants accordingly.
Be mindful of your landlord and neighbors. Containers and the water that drains from them can mark and stain concrete and wood decking. Using self-watering containers or plastic saucers to catch water will help prevent this problem and also keep water from dripping onto your neighbor’s balcony.
Here is an excellent introduction from Virginia Tech to growing vegetables in containers with specific information about watering and fertilizing. It also includes a useful chart of vegetables with their recommended container size.
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/426/426-336/SPES-255.pdf
These links also offer great information about containers, potting mixes, and caring for the plants as they grow.
https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/g2263/2015/pdf/view/g2263-2015.pdf
https://extension.psu.edu/container-vegetable-gardening-four-keys-to-success
I hope this information will start you on your journey from novice vegetable gardener to successful harvester!
Don't worry, you too can successfully grow veggies and herbs - even on your balcony!
Here are some basic tips for growing plants in containers:
Start small with just a few of the more popular container crops, such as salad greens, peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, beans, chard, beets, radish, squash, or cucumbers. Herbs such as basil, sage, mint, and parsley all do well in containers.
If you are starting from seeds, carefully read the seed packet to make sure you plant the seeds at the right time and the right depth. Follow instructions for the amount of light, heat, and moisture required for germination.
Look for “bush” or “dwarf” varieties of the crops you want to
grow. There are more and more varieties being developed for
small-space gardening. Check the catalogs or web sites of seed companies, such as Burpee, Renee's, Johnny's, and Park, for the latest varieties. Some of these companies have a special section just about container gardening.
Determine how much sun your balcony receives. Southern and western exposures will be the sunniest and warmest, while northern and eastern exposures will be shadier and cooler.
Fruiting vegetables, such as tomatoes and peppers, prefer 6-8 hours of sunlight each day while leafy vegetables will usually produce satisfactorily with only 4 hours of sunlight. Choose your plants accordingly.
Be mindful of your landlord and neighbors. Containers and the water that drains from them can mark and stain concrete and wood decking. Using self-watering containers or plastic saucers to catch water will help prevent this problem and also keep water from dripping onto your neighbor’s balcony.
Here is an excellent introduction from Virginia Tech to growing vegetables in containers with specific information about watering and fertilizing. It also includes a useful chart of vegetables with their recommended container size.
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/426/426-336/SPES-255.pdf
These links also offer great information about containers, potting mixes, and caring for the plants as they grow.
https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/g2263/2015/pdf/view/g2263-2015.pdf
https://extension.psu.edu/container-vegetable-gardening-four-keys-to-success
I hope this information will start you on your journey from novice vegetable gardener to successful harvester!
