10 Easy Vegetables to Grow on an Apartment Balcony
My friend in Auckland has always loved the idea of growing her own vegetables.
She’s a fantastic cook and wanted to incorporate freshly grown produce into her meals. The only problem? She lives in an apartment with no backyard!
When I visited her one weekend, we decided to turn her balcony into a mini garden. With a bit of brainstorming and some trial and error, we found a way to make it happen.
Here are the 10 vegetables we chose, and they’ve been thriving ever since!
Tomatoes
Tomatoes were the first on her list. We picked a cherry tomato variety since they’re ideal for small spaces. She placed them in a sunny corner, and they’ve been growing beautifully with 6-8 hours of sunlight every day.
Lettuce
Lettuce was a no-brainer. It’s so easy to grow and doesn’t need deep soil. We set up a couple of shallow containers, and now she picks fresh leaves for her salads whenever she needs.
Spinach
Since her balcony doesn’t get full sun all day, spinach was a great addition. It’s hardy and loves partial shade. Now, she’s constantly adding homegrown spinach to her smoothies and stir-fries.
Peppers
We added a pot for bell peppers, and she couldn’t be happier. They add such a vibrant pop of color to her balcony and taste amazing in her cooking. They’ve loved soaking up all the sun the space has to offer.
Radishes
Radishes were a fun experiment. They grow so quickly that within a few weeks, she had crisp, crunchy radishes ready to snack on. Perfect for someone who loves instant results!
Herbs (Basil, Mint, Parsley)
We set up a dedicated herb section with small pots of basil, mint, and parsley. Not only do they make her balcony smell incredible, but they’re also a lifesaver when she’s whipping up meals.
Green Beans
For vertical gardening, we added green beans. We set up a simple trellis against the wall, and now her beans are climbing happily and producing plenty of pods.
Carrots
She didn’t think carrots would work on a balcony, but we proved her wrong! With a deep pot and some shorter carrot varieties, she’s been harvesting sweet, crunchy carrots ever since.
Zucchini
I suggested zucchini because I knew how much she loves cooking with it. We chose a bush variety to save space, and now she has a steady supply of fresh zucchinis.
Spring Onions
Finally, spring onions were a no-fuss addition. They’re low maintenance, grow quickly, and she’s always got a handful ready for her stir-fries and soups.
What will you grow in your apartment? I hope these tips given you some ideas.
