Welcome!

Welcome to my garden blog. I live in an apartment in Melbourne, FL (USDA hardiness zone 9b), where the only outdoor space I have to garden in is a south-facing 2nd story balcony. This present several unique opportunities and challenges:

CONS

• Without access to a traditional plot of land, I must grow everything in containers.
• The balcony has an overhanging roof. Considering the relatively high sun angles at my latitude, this means that the balcony is in shade at all times.
• Gardening in Florida can be tricky...high heat and humidity during the summertime can have negative impacts on certain plants

PROS

• Everything will be grow in containers - meaning I have total control over soil quality, water, and placement of plants.
• Gardening in Florida has benefits...'cool season' vegetables can be grown all winterlong...there is no offseason!
• The heat and humidity are beneficial to certain plants...and my shade keeps the balcony cooler and protected from the harsh afternoon sun that would otherwise damage some plants
• The shade is 'bright'...concrete floor, light-colored walls, and a nearby pool all reflect light and heat. This light is available to plants for photosynthesis...although it is still several times weaker than direct sunlight.

So...that's 3 cons, 4 pros! I decided to give gardening on the balcony a shot. Sure, there are some easy ways to go about it...grow some leaf and/or root crops during the cool season, maybe some herbs, and some decorative tropical plants for year round. In fact, most 'experts' will say that there are very few vegetables you can grow in shade...only a select few (usually rather boring) flowers can be grown.

Well, I am challenging that idea. Part of the reason for that is just to challenge...but part of it is that I really, really want to grow plants that are listed as 'full sun'....cucumbers, peas, peppers, melons, sunflowers, etc. So, this is partly an experiment...will bright Florida shade be enough to allow these plants to grow? Will crops that usually don't like the heat be okay because of the shade? Can I grow anything I want to in a container? Follow this blog to find out! Here is what I am trying to grow as of June 13th:

1. basil
2. beet
3. brocoli
4. cantaloupe
5. cilantro
6. citrus (dwarf varieties of lemon, lime, orange)
7. cuke
8. green beans
9. lettuce
10. luffa
11. morning glory
12. onion
13. parsley
14. peas
15. pepper (5 kinds)
16. petunia
17. radish
18. soybeans
19. spinach
20. strawberry
21. sunflower

Many things the experts say will fail in shade, and some things that you wouldn't usually grow in containers! Here we go!