small and mighty - successful balcony and patio gardening

Small andMighty

SuccessfulBalcony & Patio

Gardening

Independence GardensPortland, OR

January 2012© Independence Gardens LLC

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Tuesday, January 31, 2012

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What We’ll Cover TodayIntro

we are Independence Gardens• We build raised beds, chicken coops,

terraces, trellises, & other garden infrastructure

• Help with garden design & planning, cleanup, prep, and installation

• Teach edible gardening classes

• & make Doo Tees!


Topics We’ll Cover• Key elements of small/

contained growing spaces• Top !ve tips for gardening

successfully in small spaces• Best plants to grow in small

spaces• Other resources (tools,

supplies & materials)• Take-home tips

What We’ll Cover TodayPreview

Got Questions? Please ask as we go along.


What We’ll Skip TodayAnd Some Other OptionsSpace

• Limited size- Prioritize what will grow & what

you will eat

• Technical specs- Can it hold extra weight?

• Accessibility to you & to others- Use edges/walls/railings, keep

open "oor space & reachability

• Horizontal/vertical


And Some Other OptionsSun

• Which direction does your space face?- If north, you will have special

challenges, as the sun comes from the south

• How many hours of sunlight do you have each day, & when?- 4-6 = absolute minimum- Morning sun is gentler- Avoid bakin’ balconies!


And Some Other OptionsWind

• Height ma#ers- If you’re in the penthouse suite...

• Direction- Where’d THAT come from?

• Constant vs. gusts- Plan for both

• Watch out for...- Plant damage- Flying pots


And Some Other OptionsSoil

• It’s not like growing in-ground- $e soil food web won’t be well-

supported in pot-islands- Soil change-out every year

• $is puts you in charge of all nutrient needs- pH level ma#ers- Fertilizer in the soil- Supplementation: fertigation &

foliar feedings


And Some Other OptionsWater

• Where does it come from?- Do you have nearby water access, or

will you need to bring water out?

• Where does it go?- Do you have a downstairs neighbor?

• How does it escape the system?- Evapotranspiration- Drainage


And Some Other OptionsNeighbors

• Speaking- Let them know what you’re up to

• Leaking- Be considerate of the impacts

your garden might have

• Sharing- Ask if you might share space/

resources- Ge#ing them on your team

• Pests = unwanted neighbors


And Some Other OptionsVisibility

• Lookin’ gooood- Your aesthetic might not

match others’- Complaints can cause

problems

• View- Not interrupting yours or

anyone else’s

• A#racting grazers- Animals or people


And Some Other OptionsTop Five Tips

• 1 - Choose appropriate containers• 2 - Support your plants• 3 - Buffer harsh conditions• 4 - Time it right• 5 - Grow with & for others


Why Compost?1 - Containers

• Be creative• Focus on good drainage OR no

drainage (closed-loop/hydroponic)

• Avoid black pots (unless your plants need LOTS of heat)

• Bigger than you think you need (don’t dry out)

• Multiple plants per container• Decent-looking is always good


2 - Supports

• Take advantage of vertical space

• Use burly structures and gentle a#achments

• Avoid permanent modi!cations


3 - Buffers

• Shadecloth• Floating row cover (Reemay)• Windbreak screen• Cloche/cold frame• Make sure structures are

"exible to meet plants’ needs!• And design so they meet your

needs, too


4 - Timing

• Start seeds indoors or buy them at proper size/stage

• Make a space for the plants before they arrive

• Monitor conditions (e.g. soil & air temps)

• Water in the morning • Succession plant


5 - Company

• Make it easy for yourself

• Invite visitors- People and other

helpers (pollinators, for instance)

• Work together• Share the harvest


• Herbs• Tomatoes• Salad greens & leafy greens• Small fruit (e.g. blueberries &

columnar apples)• Your choice of climbing crops:

– Peas & beans– Nasturtiums– Cukes/squash

• Bonus: pollinator a#ractors

What to grow?


Resources

• Tools- Use what you have on hand

!rst (spoons, pitchers, old containers)...then try Red Pig

• Plants- Buy from a local nursery

• Supplies & materials- Linnton, UFS, Naomi’s, &c.

• Neighbors, friends & family!


Take-home message

• Balcony/patio gardening usually means container gardening

• It’s very different from in-ground gardening

• But you can utilize even the smallest spaces to produce great edibles!


Got Questions?


small and mighty - successful balcony and patio gardening

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