BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Gardening Container/Shade Gardening - HELP!

I am new to gardening, and currently live in an apartment that faces North w/ an over-hang. I think there is a small portion of my balcony (maybe 2 feet by 1 foot) that gets sun - the rest is full shade. I would love to be able to grow some veggies (tomatoes, peppers, anything) however, I don't think this is possible. Am I correct? Also... I have been researching and found that strawberries do okay in shade - is this correct?
I am willing to accept the fact that I may be stuck with growing just flowers (which is fine) but I'd love to grow some type of food - just not herbs! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> If any one has any suggestions/tips for me, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance for your help!

I think you did your homework. Most veggies don't due well in the shade. There are lots of flowers that due really well in the shade and soooo many colors to pick from.

Hmmm. You may be able to get strawberries to grow, but I wouldn't count on it.

I would use this space for some containers of coleus, impatiens, and bedding begonias for color and pleasure. You could keep some houseplants like peace lily, snake plant, and other low-light species out there in the summer as well. You'll have a cozy, attractive balcony, but not a farm.

if you want just leaves might I suggest Begonias, Ornamental Sweet potato or english ivy, for flowers, maybe pansy, lily of the valley or fuchsia (<- I love those!!)

But I'm realitively new at this, just a suggestion

-Shelly

Do you have any neighbours with south-facing balconies who might be willing to give up some of their space for you? You could offer, in return, share your crops with them...
Or a friend or relative with a little bit of space in their own garden....?
In the UK, many people in built-up areas, without gardens, tend allotments... patches of ground they pay a rental fee for, but on which they can grow whatever they want... This patch of land is sometimes a few miles from where they live, but the communities that have also found root and grown, are wonderul, and as good an example of like-minded solidarity as you'll ever find.... gardeners are wondeful people! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Speaking of allottment gardens. Here in The Netherlands they are situated along railroad tracks. Even people with little backyards use their allottment plot to "farm" and socialize. Most have a little glass greenhouse so they can grow tomatoes or peppers - we don't have enough hot summer days to ripen them out in the open; except cherry tomatoes against a south-facing wall.