Spring Gardening for Apartment Dwellers

Like so many people, I love to garden, but live in an apartment. This space restriction makes for fewer options in terms of what you can do, but there are still options! In my new(ish) place, I do have a patio, which I did not in my last place, but fire escapes and secure rooftops are also excellent places to set up a little green space of your own.

My dad plants a killer vegetable garden each year, and because he was out of town for a bit, I was tasked with picking out some of the plants for this year's crop. Shopping for his tomatoes inspired me in a big way, and got me thinking about how to bring this activity into my suburban life. 

Because I will have limited production from my garden, I will also be checking in on his and seeing the difference between his in-ground plantings in the Central Coast area vs. my upside down version up here in the Bay Area.

Please note that I am using a Topsy Turvy for my tomato plant, and after quite a bit of research, I believe it is the best option for a space like mine.

For my dad's garden on the Central Coast, I chose Lemon Cucumber and a number of tomato varietes: San Marzano, Early Red Chief, Mortgage Lifter (Heirloom), Beefsteak, Momotaro, Brandywine (yellow and pink) and Red Cherry. I can't wait to see what they all look and taste like!

They're officially in the ground and ready to start growing!

Some Tomato Glamour Shots...

Eureka Lemon Tree

I really wanted my small space to not only look great and bring some greenery into my life, but also to have practical use. With that in mind, I planted items I purchase on a regular basis for cooking purposes. Now, on to the picks for my apartment/patio garden! 

My first choice was a lemon tree. While I am a bigger fan of Meyer lemons, I went with a Eureka Lemon tree, based on price and the quality of what was available. I use so many lemons, I know this will go to good use if (but hopefully when) it produces fruit. The container it is in has a built in reservoir in the bottom, which is great for people who travel, as it allows you to leave the plant for longer than you would otherwise be able to, without pestering someone to come water for you. (Note that with tomatoes you do not have this luxury-- someone better be there to water)!  Here is a link to the self-watering pot!


As I mentioned, I chose to plant an Early Girl plant for my tomatoes. As it has been very cold for the first nights since I planted (OF FREAKIN' COURSE...), I am a bit worried about the plant, but I hope that the worst it does is slow down when production starts, but not how much fruit is produced. Finally, I planted some Cinnamon Basil in a small planter.  Stay tuned for growth developments!

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So, how do you create this look for yourself? Here are my top 5 tips for getting started:

1. Choose fruits and vegetables that you KNOW you love and will not easily tire of. God willing, you will have a lot of them!
2. Use a Topsy Turvy. Not only does research show that they work incredibly well, but they are easy to use for anyone. Simply follow the instructions provided with the planter.
3. Make sure to utilize your space in the best way possible. Specifically, have things at all different heights, and don't be afraid to hang planters, if your space allows for it.
4. Don't overcrowd. While it was hard for me to do, I did take the wooden table I had on the patio and put it in storage. There was just too much there.
5. Don't over water! It can be hard not to, but they really will be ok if you follow instruction! This is especially true for succulents, as you see I have plenty of...

More tips and tricks to come, as the garden comes along!

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Finally- for those interested in more information about the gas grill pictured above, it is the 
Char-Broil 14601997-DI Bistro Infrared Gas Grill and it is a MAJOR steal at just $135.99, and free shipping with Amazon Prime. I can't tell you how nice it is to be able to grill at home, finally!

I love that the grill is effective, not TOO small, but small enough to not overpower the look of a small space like mine. I also love the aesthetic of it as a whole, with a look more like what you would expect from a charcoal grill.