What to grow?

[danpeikes]

Any suggestions on what to grow on my balcony in Chicago that faces west? I will only grow things I can eat. I like herbs, been growing them for the past 2 years. I also did some hot peppers last year, I am thinking I may try some berries or vegetables this year. Any suggestions? Any tips?

[Andy M.]

We had success growing smaller tomatoes in Topsy Turvey tomato planters.

[taxlady]

How big is the growing space on your balcony? Do you have/could you have a trellis? How much sun does it get? Is it very windy?

[danpeikes]

Originally Posted by taxlady

How big is the growing space on your balcony? Do you have/could you have a trellis? How much sun does it get? Is it very windy?

It gets full sun 1/2 the day. Nothing can be be hung from the ceiling or the railing

[taxlady]

For potatoes and tomatoes, have a look at this: Grow Potatoes In Straw | Freedom From The Grid & Embracing Alternate Energy...

[BigAL]

I'm try'n the mushroom box from Gurneys this yr. Kinda expensive, $40, but might be fun. It is an indoor deal, though.

Chives, onions, garlic?

What do you like to eat? Then plant it and "they will come".(yep, that was weak)

[NoraC]

Good lettuce. It is pretty darn close to an herb in its uses and will save you money to grow. I would get a high end mix of seeds and start new seeds every 2 or 3 weeks, then prick out into a "lettuce bed" container that is running 4 or 5 plants at a time.

[kadesma]

if you like sweet Italian frying peppers you could try a cubanelle pepper it is an upright grower with quite a few peppers. When fried in evoo then sprinkled with salt they make a wonderful appy. We elbow each other over them.
kadesma

[buckytom]

lettuces, spinach, and arrugula are very easy to grow in boxes as the have very small root systems and grow quickly. you can start them first in the spring - as in very soon, and then reuse those boxes again for a different summer veggie.

if you like hot peppers, habaneros do well in boxes.

[Caslon]

You can try the hanging planter As Seen on TV for peppers.
My take on that product?
The starter plants (tomatoes, strawberries, peppers) sold at Home Depot stores are so large, that you have to cram them into the "hanging basket holes." That's the major flaw with "Hanging Baskets as See on TV" setup.