Apartment Vegetable Garden Container Gardening

A Quick Starter Guide To Apartment Container Vegetable Gardening

Florida – and especially South Florida – is the perfect place for gardening.

With favorable temperatures and a year-round growing season, it's no wonder why so many fruit and vegetable crops come from the Sunshine State.

That's why if you've ever wanted to start a garden but haven't because you've never had one before, that's not a legitimate excuse.

Even if you've discounted the idea of a vegetable garden because you live in an apartment, the same goes for that.

You can grow a bumper crop of both fruits and vegetables on balconies, patios or a sunny spot indoors. The secret is container gardening – that's just growing in pots and planters. With container gardening you can turn small spaces into big gardens.

We're going to show you three easy steps to help you start your garden then give you the resources to carry you all the way to harvest.

Step 1 – Find A Place For Your Garden

Most fruits and veggies need at least 6 hours of sun a day. That's going to be your first consideration when choosing your spot.

Of course your first go-to is a patio or balcony. You'll get the benefit of the wind and rain plus the fact that the mess will stay outside.

If you don't have a patio or balcony, a sunny spot by a window can work. If you don't get the full 6 hours, you can supplement with a grow light .

If you still want to put your garden on the balcony or patio if it doesn't get full sun, you can always go with plants that do well in the shade. There'll be a link later to a list of these plants.

Once you've decided on your spot, you need to measure the Length and the Width then multiply the two to get the area (L x W = Area). That's how much space you have to work with and will determine the size of containers you'll be using.

Remember to leave enough room for you to work in.

Step 2 – Choose Containers

There's tons of different containers to choose from.

Starting with pots, you've got terracotta, fabric, wood, metal and more in just about every size imaginable. According to what kind of plant you're growing is what size you'll choose. Here's a reference list for pot sizes for different plants.

Many small space container gardeners have started using fabric pots because they're lighter, breathe and get good drainage. See some examples here and here .

You can get pots just about anywhere, like these here , here and here . You can even buy pots that hang from railings.

Raised beds and planters are another form of containers. They're usually rectangular and many have stands, which makes them easier to use since you don't have to bend over as much. You'll also get more growing space.

Here's some examples: here and the Earthbox gets rave reviews.

Step 3 – Pick Your Crop

This is the best part – and the hardest. What are you going to grow? Tomatoes, peppers, kale, strawberries – I've got to stop because the list is too long.

If your spot gets full sun you can grow just about whatever you want. If your spot is in the shade, you'll need to choose plants that grow well in the shade .

If you think you've got a death-touch for plants, here's a list of things that are easier to grow .

And here's a list of which plants will give you the best returns growing in containers.

If you're growing indoors, there's a long list of plants that will do quite well.

So that's it. Your starting point. You've got your spot, your containers and you've decided on what you want to grow.

Now it's time to get started. To help you from setup and planting to care and harvest here's a list of resources to guide you all the way.

Choosing The Right Soil
Seeds Or Seedlings?
Container Vegetable Gardening 101
Ultimate Guide To Indoor Vegetable Gardens
Florida Seasonal Fruits & Vegetables
Florida Yearly Planting Schedule
Container And Small Space Gardening
Small Space Gardening Tips for Apartment Dwellers + Urbanites
How To Grow A Salsa Garden

If you're searching for the perfect contemporary, comfortable apartment in Boynton Beach, FL, you've hit pay dirt. The Reserve at Ashley Lake's thoughtful floor plans, first-class amenities (including private balconies), friendly community and prime location is the perfect spot to start your garden.

Dig up our online tour , then schedule a private showing today. Come see why The Reserve at Ashley Lake is where you want to put down roots.