Gardeners’ Question Time
Daniëlle Verdoes, London
ACHRISTINE SAYS For a lot of gardeners, a north-facing garden or balcony is a difficult space. This need not be the case if the correct range of vegetables are grown.
Bearing in mind the fact that the space will not receive as much sunlight as a south-facing space would, it will not be as hot in the summer, but cooler and damper, which suits a whole range of crops that could be very successful on your balcony. All of the following will grow to produce an acceptable crop. Their size may not be as big as if grown in a sunnier environment, but it should be more than enough for your needs.
So, try rocket, mint, potatoes, radish, carrots, leeks, kale, oregano, spinach, lettuce and salad leaves, cabbage, broccoli, beetroot, Swiss chard and even kohlrabi. Remember to water them regularly and feed throughout the growing season once established.
AMATTHEW SAYS You will have greatest success over the summer months on your balcony as north facing positions often struggle to get any late-afternoon sun in the winter months. It will also be cooler, so expect to be a couple of weeks behind what other people are growing or harvesting in full sun. Happily though, your crops won’t need watering as much, and veg like lettuces are less likely to bolt (run to flower) in cooler conditions.
You will be able to grow a range of salad leaves, including lettuce, and look for the cut-and-come again mixes, which you will be able to sow several times over the summer for a continuous supply. Also try some colourful swiss chard, which will keep going into the winter months, beetroots over the summer, radishes, carrots, leeks and different types of brassica (I love the colourful curly kales). You’ll get best results in good quality (peat-free!) compost and generous sized containers.