gardening - Ask Extension
Hi
i LIVE IN AN APARTMENT with a open patios', so i have little room to grow a garden, but really want to this year! last year i tried and did not do...
Knowledgebase
gardening #923443
Asked January 08, 2026, 4:05 PM EST
Hi
i LIVE IN AN APARTMENT with a open patios', so i have little room to grow a garden, but really want to this year! last year i tried and did not do so good. I am very new to gardening. I have several big tubs, and other rectangle containers. I can add pictures if you would like? I want to grow peppers, kale, cherry tomatoes, tomatoes, peas, broccoli, purple potatoes, beets, and maybe a watermelon or a yellow melon. and fruit blueberries raspberries, strawberries. i would not even no what plants are good to put together, how to soil them, water, them feed them, plant them. Last year i only grew a pepper & one piece of kale. i willing to take any ideas, or even get rid of the tubs and get a new system.
Washington County Oregon
Expert Response
Thank you for your question, Serene. I hope that your unit is on the ground floor, so the tubs drain well! It would be helpful to know which direction your apartment faces, and how many hours of direct sun it gets on average over the summer. Some of the plants you list need 8 to 10 hours before they can create enough carbs to produce fruits, including tomatoes. Here is a link to OSU's publication on vegetable container gardening: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/container-gardening-grow-vegetables-even-without-yard-space
Since you still have time before planting, I suggest that you also read the following, that has some more information about container gardening, but also covers whether they should be started indoors from seed, or direct planted: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/em-9027-growing-your-own
I hope this is helpful. Let us know if you need anything else. Good luck!
Since you still have time before planting, I suggest that you also read the following, that has some more information about container gardening, but also covers whether they should be started indoors from seed, or direct planted: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/em-9027-growing-your-own
I hope this is helpful. Let us know if you need anything else. Good luck!
Thank you so much for the info! I face sw and I get quit a bit of sun but honestly I don't know how much, I'm adding pictures here to my tubs and what I have , but like I also mentioned I would be willing to get rid of tubs and make a raised bed. I just would need some ideas, cuz I don't know how to do any of this. ideas of what would be good for my back porch,as far as a raised bed,or any suggestions at all is helpful to someone just starting out,
2. I have one question about transplanting a blueberry plant, he's about 2 ft tall and I want to transplant him to something bigger. How would I do that? I'm notorious for killing plants especially after I transplant them I know nothing about soil...yet....
thanks for your help and time
1. Your accumulated containers are far too small to grow the number of vegetables you have listed. While you can find patio-sized (small) varieties of some, potatoes and melons, in particular, take lots of room. I don't know the total square footage of your proposed garden area, so can't opine what raised beds would work best. This resource deals with raised bed gardens using native soil: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/fs-270-raised-bed-gardening This is a more simplified guide: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/extd8/files/documents/12281/raisedbed.pdf You can use potting soil in either one of these constructs, so you don't have to stress so much about soil knowledge.
2. You didn't share a photo of your blueberry plant, nor the container it now is in. In general, the "new" container should be twice as wide and deep as the current one. Blueberries require knowledge about soil pH, nutrients, and pruning, so, before putting a lot of (perhaps frustrating) effort into it, you can become familiar with their needs. https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/ec-1304-growing-blueberries-your-home-garden
I hope these are helpful.
2. You didn't share a photo of your blueberry plant, nor the container it now is in. In general, the "new" container should be twice as wide and deep as the current one. Blueberries require knowledge about soil pH, nutrients, and pruning, so, before putting a lot of (perhaps frustrating) effort into it, you can become familiar with their needs. https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/ec-1304-growing-blueberries-your-home-garden
I hope these are helpful.
Thanks!
1. Could we make appointment to come see you in person? So it seems like I might need to draw up the square footage I'll need for the plants I'm wanting to grow. Also I'm wondering do you know where I can get cheap potting soil or does the extension service or anybody help offer free soil that I could get somehow? My husband passed away last year, so money is beyond tight,trying to find help in any way we can,
I am sorry, Serene, but Extension experts are not permitted to do home visits, and we have no resources available such as potting soil and plants. However, Growing Gardens might have both personal advice as well as the materials you would need to build and maintain a small garden. https://www.growing-gardens.org/home-gardens You haven't indicated where you live, but they serve gardeners in N, NE and SE Portland, Gresham, Milwaukie, and Oregon City.
Several of the garden clubs in our area, who often have plant sales or giveaways. If you let me know the general area that your apartment is in, I can try to find a garden club to connect you with.
Several of the garden clubs in our area, who often have plant sales or giveaways. If you let me know the general area that your apartment is in, I can try to find a garden club to connect you with.
I just discovered your information as coming from Washington County. Perhaps you can contact the Washington County Extension office to see if they know of any available resources near you. https://extension.oregonstate.edu/washington You might ask them if there are any garden clubs near you, since they may be able to assist with guidance and supplies. Good luck!
