Posted: 4/26/2009 3:57:56 PM EDT
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If you take a look at this thread you can see my situation for a garden. If not, the basic idea is that I'm in an apartment and wondering what I can do for a small container garden.
I have looked a this thread and this thread where the OP talks about growing potatoes in a box filled with sawdust. Anyone know if I can grow potatoes in a 5-gallon bucket on my porch or would I need something larger?  And why sawdust rather than soil? Is it too late for me to plant, or will be I alright? I'm in NC and it is really starting to warm up here so I'm hoping I haven't missed the growing season. Anything special I need to know?
Sorry for so many questions. 
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Have you fried that philodendron yet? Or is it not in full sun all day? (It doesn't need to be in full sun.) I think a five-gallon bucket is a tad small for potatoes, but some other people may have tried it successfully. they need quite a bit of space. I honestly dunno if I'd try potatoes on an apartment patio or not. I can't see how much space you actually have. If I did it, I'd use the potato box method like rusteerooster has in his thread. You'll get more yield in a smaller space by going taller the way he is. Did you give up on the SFG method for your apartment balcony? Kitties |
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Quoted:
Have you fried that philodendron yet? Or is it not in full sun all day? After doing a bit of research online I found out that yes, they don't need full sun (saw that right before you posted). We haven't killed it yet –– only a day or two in full sun. We'll move it into the shade or back indoors tomorrow. It should be good tonight.
Did you give up on the SFG method for your apartment balcony?
I didn't give up...just never started.  We've already bought all the pots and planters and all that. I might give it a try if I can grab the wood and put it all together.
I'll probably grab the book and do some reading quickly, and try to make a planter if I can –– any idea what could go in a 1ft x 6ft planter? I'm assuming that would be too small for tomatoes and such, because this would be sitting on a 5" railing with nothing supporting it. I was thinking we could put herbs in it and maybe lettuce? Larger stuff is going to have to be repotted and put in larger pots or buckets. I'll measure the porch tomorrow and see how much space we have. Also, we have 10-15 hooks on the railing for stuff to hang...something else to consider.... If we aren't careful our porch is going to turn into a jungle. 
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How deep is this planter? If it's eight inches to a foot deep, you can grow tomatoes in it. Just don't set it on the rail. Set it in FRONT of the rail, and train the tomatoes to grow up the rail. You can grow cucumbers and even pumpkins and melons this way too, as long as it gets enough sun. But be aware, a pumkin vine will be beautiful, but will eat your patio. No lie. It'll be like Little Shop of Horrors. "Feeeeeeeeed Meeeeeeee......" If we aren't careful our porch is going to turn into a jungle. Well, yaknow....that's the thing about gardening. It's very green, and tends to get messy. ETA: Oh, wait. I just re-read your post. Are you talking about BUILDING a SFG planter, 1'x6'? Absolutely you can do that, and make it only six to eight inches deep. That's the method. Build it and set it on your balcony in front of the rail. Train your plants up the rail. OR build the conduit tubing rails he shows (cheap and easy) if you want it taller. This is the way you grow tomatoes, cucumbers, and all sorts of other stuff with SFG. Kitties |
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Larger stuff is going to have to be repotted and put in larger pots or buckets Oh, and if you're going to have to buy larger pots to pot up your veggies? You can spend that money and build yourself a couple of 2'X4' SFG boxes. Pot the stuff in there that will take repotting. Some garden plants don't take repotting well. It's worth a try though, if you think you'll lose them otherwise. Kitties |