Transform your balcony or small window space into a high-yielding summer garden with a variety of classic produce! Fruiting crops and berries, greens and herbs, and so many space-saving plants can grow and thrive perfectly in containers. Even the most beginner-level green thumb will be able to transform their small outdoor space into a crop-yielding plot.

Gardening Tips Before You Buy

​Even so, there are many factors that are necessary to be aware of before buying any seeds. Plants are unpredictable at times, and making sure your pot is deep enough so the plant doesn’t grow to become root bound is tricky. Many vegetables and greens will need at least 12-18 inch pots, which is a pretty big range. Another factor to check for is whether or not the pot has drainage holes in the bottom. Without drainage, the pot will retain too much water and will rot the roots of the plant.

Another thing to keep in mind is the similarities of plant families when purchasing seeds. Not all plants really grow well together, and having certain combinations will create a thriving and fruitful garden. You want to avoid ordering plants that are within the same family, as they will take in the same nutrients. You also want to make sure you are using the space of the pot with each plant in mind. Include a variety of tall vegetables, a mix of flowering crops, and plants that hang over the sides to ensure all plants are getting the space they need.

Lastly, before any decisions, you’ll need to see how much sunlight your balcony or patio gets. While grow lights are an option, many outdoor arrangements don’t have the extra space or outlets for artificial lighting. You want to make sure each plant is getting enough sunlight to last for the summer and into the fall.

Best Summer Produce To Grow

Cherry tomatoes are my favorite choice for a balcony garden, and my favorite type of tomato to grow. They produce an abundance of fruit on such a small plant. They grow well when planted together with basil, which also grows very quickly and has a lot to give you. Cucumbers work great in containers, as well, and have a huge variety of shapes and sizes. If you want to build the aesthetic of a balcony/patio garden, vining cucumber varieties are the way to go since you would need a trellis for vertical support. These grow excellently with beans. Green beans reap a bounty of string beans and can support you through any meal. They can be frozen, canned, or pickled for long-term storage, and they’re really yummy, too.

In addition to vegetables, fruits are wonderful plants to add to your small garden. For centuries now, traditional cottage gardeners have included an array of summer fruits. You can, too, make your garden sweet and fruity! Brambles and strawberries are amongst the most popular of fruit-bearing plants. Raspberries and blackberries are the most well-known brambles, and they are some of the easiest to grow. They can be trained to grow on wire to harvest more easily and to protect from small animals and birds. Stone fruits trees can be grown over time and, with proper care, can even be treated indoors! While planting fruits in your home garden can be a bit trickier, it will be worth the hard work and time spent!

Even though we are nearing the end of the summer, it’s never too late to get your own summer produce to grow! Some plants can last until the fall, and with the purchase of grow lights, they can last until the next summer! Transforming your balcony or patio into your own home garden can really change aspects of your life.

What do you think about the summer produce to grow? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!