Growing things!

[Mommypooh]

Okay I have really been wanting to grow my own fruits and Veggies, the problem was we lived in an appartment and moved every year. Well now we have a Condo and I still have this itch to grow my own stuff. Does anyone have any ideas on how to do that I have a really tiny fenced in concrete slab that the kids play on and I have flower beds that circle my end of the building, but I would be afraid somone would come along and help themselves to my stuff if they saw it. I need some ideas.

[baggio248]

We bought some pots, and soil and have them on a table that sits on a window that has alot of light. We have tomatos, basil,and habanero peppers. They grow really well there. Mabe you can try that if you have an area that has enough light. As long as you plants have enough room to grow and sufficent light and water they should be fine.

[Grimm]

First thing you need to consider is the regulations that govern your HOA. Will they allow you to grow anything but flowers in that area that is currently flowerbeds? If they will, you might try and grow things that don't draw too much attention, carrots, radishes and spinich are great examples. herbs are also good. Kids won't pay much attention to the green stuff, it's the fruit and flowers that draw their attention.

[Gothic Girl]

Chia Herb Garden

[InfiniteNothing]

Tip 1: Check your USDA hardiness zone
http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.htm
Try and pick only plants that work for your zone.

Tip 2: Don't water too much (check your soil type). Flowers are kind easy because the look droopy when ever they need to be watered

[WhiskeyPapa]

We've done well with roma and cherry tomatoes in large pots (20" or so.) You'll need to water them regularly - almost daily. Water them so the water flows out the bottom holes of the pots. Other vegetables that do well in pots or containers are peppers, eggplant, onions, radishes, carrots and more.

http://www.gardenguides.com/TipsandTechniques/container.htm

[FoxTrot]

Go to www.earthbox.com and try it. I have three in my back yard and I use Miracle Grow soil in them. I had 8' corn, tomatoes, strawberries, and other veggies growing; very HUGE plants/produce!! Fertilizer is at the top of the soil and there is a watering tube. All you do is make sure there is water in it and it self fertilizes as the soil stays moist.

Fantastic set-up. Some people even plant dwarf fruit trees in them and put the box on rollers. They can move them to direct/indrect sunlight as desired.

Good luck!

[Markel]

Our town has a patch of 20x40 foot garden plots that you can rent for $22 for the growing season. They plow them up in the early spring. They have a few water taps around for watering. It's a nice alternative for people in apartments/condos or that don't have the space in their own yards.

[InfiniteNothing]

Our town has a patch of 20x40 foot garden plots that you can rent for $22 for the growing season. They plow them up in the early spring. They have a few water taps around for watering. It's a nice alternative for people in apartments/condos or that don't have the space in their own yards.

You kinda wonder what's the point though.

[Markel]

You kinda wonder what's the point though.
To grow things when you don't have a place of your own? :shrug:

Some people actually "rent" as many as 4 plots -- you can grow a lot in 3200 sq ft. of garden space. (Even an 800 sq ft area can grow quite a bit.)

[InfiniteNothing]

To grow things when you don't have a place of your own? :shrug:

Some people actually "rent" as many as 4 plots -- you can grow a lot in 3200 sq ft. of garden space. (Even an 800 sq ft area can grow quite a bit.)

I guess I've just never thought of plants as anything other than landscaping (and why scape land that isn't yours?)

[WhiskeyPapa]

They're not growing flowers in those plots, they're growing vegetables.

Gardening can be very relaxing. We enjoy growing lots of our own food, even when we know full well that it would be cheaper to buy it at the grocery store.