Hi there! First time growing veg & excited to share my results!

[GardenNinja]

Hi everyone,

I've been checking out this forum since last March when we decided to grow fruit and veg on our balcony. Finally joined to say hello and thank you to everyone who contributed such helpful advice; we newbies really appreciate it!

One of the biggest challenges has been the high altitude, exposed site. We lost quite a few tomato trusses and mange tout plants when the high winds hit several weeks back as the wind is even more destructive on the balcony compared to ground level. Nonetheless, we've had great success!

We are growing lots of tomatoes, 2 courgette plants, peas, french beans, a variety of herbs, carrots, beetroots, spring onions, peppers, salad leaves, oriental veg, strawberries, blackberries, and gooseberries. It's amazing how much you can grow in such a small space! Below are some pictures of our balcony garden in London (as of today).

[rustylady]

Your balcony is looking really good, well done. Welcome to the Vine.

[veggiechicken]

Hello GardenNinja and welcome! You have a fantastic display on your balcony - Well done. One bonus of living so high in the world must be that slugs and snails can't climb that far!!

[flowertot]

Wow they look great, amazing what you can do with a limited amount of space isn't it?

[GardenNinja]

Thanks, everyone!

Veggiechicken, it is certainly a major bonus not to have slugs and snails eating away all your hard work. I don't think I could cope with such trauma as I already take it very personally with the leaf miners and aphids attacking my greens.

flowertot, I am really surprised that a small container could produce so much. I can't seem to stop adding more and more plants though!

[Sarico]

I can't seem to stop adding more and more plants though!

agree. i have a 6m by 4m patio and i count 120 pots.... i keep plant and buy compost ( already 40 grow bags) and now that i thought that i have done with planting i bout some chrismas potato that i don't know where to put them... but i know when the time comes i will found some space...

[Bren In Pots]

Hello and welcome to the vine GardenNinja. bit jealous of your courgettes mine haven't produced any female flowers yet.

[hamesy]

Impressive work GardenNinja. How high up are you?

[GardenNinja]

sarico, 120 pots is amazing! I stopped counting how many pots I've acquired (complete denial on my part!)

Bren, I think it's beginner's luck more than anything. I bought the seeds from real seed catalogue and it is supposed be a dwarf variety, but it is a monster!

hamesy, I'm on the 12th floor so not as bad as a lot of flats in the area but the wind is still very unforgiving

[Pa Snips]

Looks good G-Ninja, well done...and welcome aboard.

[Samurailord]

Hi GardenNinja

Welcome to the Vine

Andy

[Florence Fennel]

Hello and a very warm welcome to the Vine

[binley100]

Hi ..........soooooooo jealous of your courgettes. Third lot planted today , not managed to grow any for long enough to flower yet ......

[Newton]

Hi garden ninja. Welcome to the vine. Your balcony is amazing........wait till you start harvesting those wonderful toms and courgettes..........

I will pick my first two courgettes today.......the yellow ones.......

[chris]

Looks great. Can't believe the size of your crops/plants - outside as well!!! Larger than my GH crops.