Comments on: Gallery of Growth on Balcony

By: Colby Lebario

Colby Lebario — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 22:20:47 +0000

Bayshore Solutions Recognized as Blue Ribbon Business by US Chamber

By: aoife mc

aoife mc — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:50:58 +0000

Oh and you should holler at http://www.thedailyspud.com for some spud advice! She’s the woman for the job.

By: aoife mc

aoife mc — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:48:21 +0000

Hello there balcony farmer! I found your site through this month’s Totally Dublin magazine. Really looking forward to following your progress, your potatoes are looking good!

I too have a city centre balcony, up on the fourth floor which I hope will keep the slugs away from my strawberry plants which have been growing since February or so. That’s all I’ve got so far! I’ll defniitely be looking to this blog for tips

By: Kate@LivingTheFrugalLife

Kate@LivingTheFrugalLife — Thu, 14 May 2009 22:15:38 +0000

Re: the tomatoes not getting enough light. The foil idea can make a big difference. Any light that gets past them will then have a second chance to hit them while moving in the opposite direction. Effectively, you could double the amount of light they get, though not the length of exposure. Besides foil, if you happen to have one of those silly windshield reflectors that are supposed to keep your car from overheating wile parked, that’ll work. (Hmm, maybe not an issue in Ireland.) Even a spare full length mirror would do it. I say give it a try.

By: Laura

Laura — Tue, 12 May 2009 19:34:46 +0000

I’m very impressed with your garden! What exposure does your balcony have? I live in Southern California which is a dream for gardens – unless you have limited exposure. My balcony faces East, so the only potential sun is morning sun – I swear every year I’m not going to grow tomatoes because of the meager harvest – only to cave in and plant some the next. I have just two this year – both plants look great so far – hope springs eternal (though the annual June gloom looms – which means no sun in the morning at all).

I’ve got herbs that I start from seed under artificial light indoors – that’s been pretty successful. Other than that, strawberries left from last year. That’s about it.

Is it possible to rig up a grow-light outdoors for your tomatoes, if it’s safe?

By: Helen

Helen — Tue, 12 May 2009 19:33:17 +0000

@cheese thanks! inherited the wall, added the shelves

By: cheese

cheese — Tue, 12 May 2009 10:24:02 +0000

@luvswool Thank1

@Peggy I wonder would winfoil help alright. Where they are though I estimate they only get direct light for max 4 hours a day – I’m not sure any amount of tinfoil can rectify that!

@Jennifer We’ve just started sowing some flowers this week too so hopefully a bit of colour will be added in coming weeks!

@Helen I really like the blue wall and shelves in your yard – did you do that yourself?

By: Helen

Helen — Mon, 11 May 2009 22:38:37 +0000

It all looks great! I’m jealous of how far along everything is, especially the peas and lettuce – mine are on a go-slow in protest at the rain! I’m also trying to grow veggies & flowers in containers – a yard rather than a balcony. I’ve been trying the tinfoil behind my toms on the windowsill & it’s helping but they’re still teensy!

there’s some pics here tracking my progress:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/helenmm/sets/72157618007880074/

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Mon, 11 May 2009 22:11:42 +0000

I love your potato planter! Everything looks great, I’m very jealous that I’m just starting to sow my seeds, when you’ve got such big beautiful plants already! I’m also doing all my veggies (and flowers) in containers, so I’ve really enjoyed seeing everything you’re doing!

By: Peggy

Peggy — Mon, 11 May 2009 19:45:24 +0000

Everything seems to be growing great, especially the potaotoes. I finally gave in and bought parsley plants! i bought a samll tub and when I broke it up I got about 11 individual plants to repot.
Could you try putting up some tin foil behind the tomatoes to reflect the light on to them/