The folks that have a limited garden space or no space at all can still grow vegetables, berries, herbs and other greens on their balconies or patios in containers. Most vegetable crops will produce fresh nutritious vegetables in containers as small as 12 - 14 inches deep. Containers need drainage holes.   Remember to fill the bottom of the container with rocks, packing peanuts or buy some of the cool products on the market to assist with drainage and lessen your potting soil needs. Keeping the soil moist should be your number one concern after your seedlings or plugs are planted. Keeping the containers out of very windy spots is very important as the wind will deplete moisture very quickly on a warm day.

Herbs that love container plantings are chives, oregano, parsley, basil and thyme. Vegetables that will do well in containers are dwarf beets and carrots.  The container for these root veggies should be 18 - 24 inches deep. Bush cucumbers and compact tomatoes also do very well in containers. Small fruits such as blueberries, strawberries or raspberries should be planted in planters that hold 4 - 5 gallons of soil and are a minimum of 12 inches in diameter.

Anybody can grow some of their own food if they have a sunny space where a container can fit. If you love fresh food as much as I do and you have no garden space, try growing something in your containers this spring. I think you will be surprised at what can be grown on a patio or balcony.