Garden on Windy Balcony with Direct Sunlight Help - Ask Extension
Hello. I made a raised garden bed in march and put cucumber and lettuce started from seedlings in it. Its been difficult to get them to grow but more ...
Knowledgebase
Garden on Windy Balcony with Direct Sunlight Help #937467
Asked July 01, 2026, 10:56 AM EDT
Hello. I made a raised garden bed in march and put cucumber and lettuce started from seedlings in it. Its been difficult to get them to grow but more recently, with addition of fish emulsion and more frequent watering, they have been growing (not the lettuce though, it has stayed small). With the heat wave coming up, I wanted to know if there is anything else I need to do to take care of the cucumber, especially since it gets direct sunlight all day?
Baltimore City County Maryland
Expert Response
Here is some general info from the UnMD on growing lettuce and cucumbers.
Growing Lettuce in a Home Garden | University of Maryland Extension
Growing Cucumbers in a Home Garden | University of Maryland Extension
First, it's too hot for growing most lettuce varieties now. They are a cool weather crop. Harvest some of what you have before it bolts and tastes bitter, unless you have a heat tolerant type. Plan to replant in the late summer or early fall.
For your second question:
Next year, I'd suggest growing starting lettuce and/or radishes in March or April, followed by patio or determinate varieties of tomatoes in May. Also in May, in you second container (moved into the sun) you can try for a compact variety of summer and/or winter squash. Bush beans and peppers could be alternative crops that should do well. Keep plant spacing in mind (read the labels).
Good luck
Len
Growing Lettuce in a Home Garden | University of Maryland Extension
Growing Cucumbers in a Home Garden | University of Maryland Extension
First, it's too hot for growing most lettuce varieties now. They are a cool weather crop. Harvest some of what you have before it bolts and tastes bitter, unless you have a heat tolerant type. Plan to replant in the late summer or early fall.
For your second question:
- Water early in the morning until water runs from the drainage holes. Check the soil again in late afternoon. On very hot days, you may need a second watering, but only if the top 1–2 inches of the mix are dry.
- Mulch the container with 1–2 inches to keep the root zone cooler.
- Don't fertilize during the heat wave. Wait until temperatures moderate.
- Harvest cucumbers promptly. Large, overripe fruit increase stress on the plant.
- If possible, provide afternoon shade. A 30–40% shade cloth from about 1–5 p.m. can reduce heat stress without depriving the plants of the morning sun they need.
Some afternoon wilting is normal in extreme heat. The key question is whether the plants recover by evening or early the next morning:
- If they perk back up, they're coping.
- If they remain wilted overnight despite moist soil, they're under serious heat stress or the roots have become too hot.
Next year, I'd suggest growing starting lettuce and/or radishes in March or April, followed by patio or determinate varieties of tomatoes in May. Also in May, in you second container (moved into the sun) you can try for a compact variety of summer and/or winter squash. Bush beans and peppers could be alternative crops that should do well. Keep plant spacing in mind (read the labels).
Good luck
Len
Thank you so much for your response.
The lettuce never grew so do I just take the leaves you see off the top? Or do I dig up from the root? Can I eat these small microgreens?
As you can see, no cucumbers have started growing yet. This is after planting in April. Since you say the cucumber season isn't long, should I expect to not get any cucumbers from this crop?
I can't grow tomatoes because I have a tomato allergy. Is there anything I can start growing now inside to put outside in the bed later? Is there anything I could directly sow into the bed right now? The bottom planter has nothing in it but a rosemary plant.
Thank you for your help. This is my first time attempting to grow anything lol
The lettuce never grew so do I just take the leaves you see off the top? Or do I dig up from the root? Can I eat these small microgreens?
As you can see, no cucumbers have started growing yet. This is after planting in April. Since you say the cucumber season isn't long, should I expect to not get any cucumbers from this crop?
I can't grow tomatoes because I have a tomato allergy. Is there anything I can start growing now inside to put outside in the bed later? Is there anything I could directly sow into the bed right now? The bottom planter has nothing in it but a rosemary plant.
Thank you for your help. This is my first time attempting to grow anything lol
also, until I get a shade cloth, is there anything I can use in the home that could protect the crops?
Thank you so much for your response.
The lettuce never grew so do I just take the leaves you see off the top? Or do I dig up from the root? Can I eat these small microgreens?
As you can see, no cucumbers have started growing yet. This is after planting in April. Since you say the cucumber season isn't long, should I expect to not get any cucumbers from this crop?
I can't grow tomatoes because I have a tomato allergy. Is there anything I can start growing now inside to put outside in the bed later? Is there anything I could directly sow into the bed right now? The bottom planter has nothing in it but a rosemary plant.
Thank you for your help. This is my first time attempting to grow anything lol
You can eat the lettuce as microgreens. Leave the roots to see if they grow new leaves. The cucumbers may grow so leave them alone so they stay healthy and may yield at some point. Just be sure to water as needed, and don't worry about the sunshield now. Go to a nursery and see what seedlings they have left. If looking healthy, you can try some patio or compact variety of squash. You can also plant some bush bean seeds and see what happens. Herbs, like basil and thyme should also grow now. Look for those plants that require full sun: read the label. If all else fails, just for looks, plant some sun loving small annuals, like petunias or marigolds.
