Comments for Life on the Balcony

Comment on Potato Project: Growing Potatoes in a Container by melanie watts

melanie watts — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:00:27 +0000

what great ideas. I think I might try growing some of my potatoes in big pots this year.

Comment on Creating a Cocktail Garden on Your Balcony by Fern

Fern — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 02:58:01 +0000

Michelle–Citrus grow best with warm summers and mild winters. If your area freezes during the winter, you can bring your tree before your first frost, but you shouldn’t leave it inside year round. It is nearly impossible to provide enough light indoors and to get fruit you would have to hand pollinate the flowers at just the right time.

Comment on Best Fruits, Vegetables and Herbs to Grow for Beginners by michelle deshon

michelle deshon — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:03:22 +0000

“I am looking for a small yellow, buttery, early variety of potatoes”
I agree with the yukon gold being a good choice. Having lived all my life in Idaho where potatoes are our major crop, the yukon gold are one of my favorites. They have a wonderful flavor and will fit your criteria nicely.

Comment on Creating a Cocktail Garden on Your Balcony by michelle deshon

michelle deshon — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:53:52 +0000

What climate is needed to grow citrus? Could it be grown indoors in climates that are not ideal? I am very new to gardening of any kind and did not know you could grow citrus in a container. But the cocktail garden is really interesting to me. I have a yard in northern Nevada, but at this time this is only a rental (with hope to buy someday). Containers are something that I could take with if we have to move……. he he he I can see my husband’s face when it takes a separate truck to move my plants!

Comment on How to Have Seed Starting Success by michelle deshon

michelle deshon — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:28:45 +0000

LOVE the Google Calendar Idea. Thanks for that. And for the greenhouse dome….. what about making a tent out of plastic wrap? I didn’t “fill” my small pots to the top, thus leaving air space and just lightly placed plastic wrap over the top to help keep warmth and moisture in. I am hoping that I didn’t do a bad thing?

Comment on Potato Project: Growing Potatoes in a Container by Sara

Sara — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:08:33 +0000

Last year I grew potatoes in 3 plastic garbage cans. I planted Yukon Golds and Red Pontiacs. I got 60 lbs at harvest time and that didn’t count all the new potatoes I dug out early. One thing I didn’t see you mention is that potatoes are considered “cool season” crops. They don’t like to get too hot and this can be a problem in a container as I found out when I tried plant another batch in August. I didn’t move my cans into the shade and the seed potatoes cooked in the cans. I re-planted in October and now my Yukon Golds have flower buds. Hopefully, on Wednesday I will be able to harvest some new potatoes, which is one of the advantages of growing in a container. You can carefully dig out new potatoes once the plant starts blooming (but some, like Yukon Golds don’t so this isn’t always a good indicator) just be sure not to damage the stems or knock off any pea-sized potatoes. There will be plenty of big potatoes at the bottom of your containers at harvest time. Mine were the size of softballs. This year I got wheels for my cans so I can move them into the shade if it gets too hot. Also, its a good idea to have your container off of the ground for drainage. Good luck with your potatoes. Mine were the sweetest I’d ever tasted.

Sara in Silicon Valley

Comment on Save Yourself the Heartache, Don’t Grow Fruit Trees from Seed by John C

John C — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:58:15 +0000

Another comment about Pollenation affecting offspring…

With Apples especially — Crab apples are frequently used as Pollinators in Orchards — because they are so good at it…. and because the Seed and fruit companies don’t want you edging in on their business….

Unfortunately, those crab apple pollinators shine through loud and clear when you grow out the Supermarket seeds… and you get a GIANT tree bearing little round bitter rocks….

Same for Cherries — where they may use Wild cherries or some sort of Bird cherry or a sour cherry as a pollinator… and you get bitter, astringent, teeny tiny cherries… Or big, watery, bland cherries….

You may have better luck if you hand-pollinated fruit from your own yard, then tagged the specific fruit for growing out… Then, at least you would know the parentage!

Thanks

Comment on Potato Project: Growing Potatoes in a Container by Fern

Fern — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:13:43 +0000

Shari–That will produce a plant…but no sweet potatoes!

Comment on Potato Project: Growing Potatoes in a Container by Fern

Fern — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:12:48 +0000

Adriana–Maybe I could trade some Smart Pots for the seed potato?

Comment on Potato Project: Growing Potatoes in a Container by Adriana @ Anarchy in the Garden

Adriana @ Anarchy in the Garden — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:13:06 +0000

Yes yes yes! I have potato tubers for you. Those Smart Pots look awesome. I’ve been curious to try.

I still want to try the trash can method. I wonder if you could grow potatoes in Woolly Pockets? Can’t wait to see your results!