With the majority of the US population living in urban areas, there has been a growing interest in urban agriculture and the ability to grow food in small spaces. From rooftop farms, to balcony gardens, to living walls, and vertical growing towers, there is no end to the innovation. Especially in concrete jungles, designing green, lush areas of productivity and life are not only beneficial in terms of mitigating urban heat, but they serve to feed both body and spirit. In addition, producing more food in an urban area cuts down on the transportation miles from farm to table, one of the most significant ways in which we can reduce our carbon footprint. While we still have a lot of elbow room and open land in Montana, not everyone has a backyard or land on which to grow. Joining a community garden, helping friends with their gardens or simply buying from local farmers are all great options for the apartment/condo dweller. However, if you still want the experience of growing some of your own food, even if on a small scale, there are so many options with container gardening. In my video today, I give you a tour of a balcony garden at a client's place. This is a project that we started in 2013 and has evolved into a beautiful and productive growing space. Back in 2013, the balcony was a stark, uninspiring, hot, south-facing area. Needless to say, it was not a very pleasant place to relax, especially during the summer. Now it has become a pleasant and productive example of what’s possible in a small space. Not only is my client able to grow annuals like peas, greens, herbs, carrots, tomatoes, and edible flowers, we have also been successful with growing grapes and blueberries in containers, even here in Montana. So click on the video below to get more of an up close tour! Let me know if you have any questions by posting in the comments below. Or, if you have any experience with container gardening, I would love it if you shared your successes, challenges and photos!
6 Comments
Rayner Smith
8/16/2017 06:44:15 pm
Excellent use of space. Elegant design as well. Form & function! Well done.
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Kareen Erbe
8/17/2017 02:21:20 pm
Thanks Rayner!
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Molly
8/17/2017 01:32:45 pm
Hi, A few questions: Curious if this is in Bozeman? Also wondering if you have had experience with Blossom End Rot with Tomatoes grown in containers. It seems that unless I am really vigilant about amending the soil with Calcium, I get it, even if I remix last years potting soil with new potting soil each spring. Finally, do you have a set of "plans" that you recommend for making the container boxes & cold frames? Thanks!
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Kareen Erbe
8/17/2017 02:27:22 pm
Hi Molly, thanks for your questions. Yes, this site is in Bozeman. We actually haven't run into blossom end rot issues in the containers that we have on this client's balcony. I used a good potting soil initially to fill the containers and like you, I add some new potting soil each season. In addition, I've found that using Happy Frog All Purpose Fertilizer (that I purchased from Planet Natural and includes beneficial microbes) is a good addition. I don't have a set of plans for the containers. We had these custom done based on the dimensions of the balcony. We did, however, make wicking beds, so that there would be no run off of the soil onto the balcony. The cold frames were made by Alpine Greenhouses in Three Forks, again, custom made for the planters. I would recommend as large a container as you can manage in the space that you have. This will help with maintaining soil moisture and nutrient availability. Let me know if you have any other questions!
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Ruth
8/24/2017 03:42:54 pm
I love this! Makes me want a balcony! I was curious what variety of grapes you've had success with here in our area?
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Kareen Erbe
8/25/2017 04:21:53 pm
There are a few varieties that do well here. The ones in the planter on the balcony are Valiant Grapes. Beta also do well. These both have seeds, however, and are best for making juice (though pretty tasty off the vine too!). At our property, I also have a seedless variety, Somerset, that is growing. It's not as vigorous as the seed varieties but I have several bunches growing and maturing on the vines right now.
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