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Dec 26, 2023

Gardening experts name the easiest veg to grow if you live in a flat without a proper garden

You don't need a garden to grow these veggies Growing your own vegetables in a

You don't need a garden to grow these veggies

Growing your own vegetables in a garden can seem like a dream if you live in London. But even though not everyone in the city has the outdoor space for a garden, it doesn't mean you can't cultivate your own vegetable patch.

According to the Gardening Channel, pretty much every vegetable you can grow in a garden can be grown in a container placed on a balcony or windowsill. As long as you provide the proper growing conditions and care, and select a container that is large enough to house the plant comfortably, you’ll have no issues having your own micro veg patch.

The Gardening Channel also recommended a number of veggies which are perfect for growing in containers on your balcony. They include tomatoes, different types of beans, peppers, radishes, carrots, peas, aubergine, and beetroot.

READ MORE: The best time of day to water your garden according to the RHS to avoid plants dying in the hot sun

Fruit and vegetables which are in season during the summer (June to August) include apple, basil, beans (runner and French), beetroot, broccoli, carrot, cauliflower, celery, courgette, cucumber, fennel, lettuce, onion, potato, radish, raspberry, red onion, rocket, rhubarb and strawberry.

Tomatoes are easy to raise from seed in March on a warm, well-lit windowsill, and can easily flourish in a container. They’ll need around five to six hours of sunlight a day.

If you have a limited amount of space, try growing a smaller variety, or cherry tomatoes instead of one of the larger tomato varieties. Make sure to let the fruits ripen fully in the sun.

Buy tomato seeds from B&Q, Homebase and Amazon.

For potatoes you’ll need to make sure you have a large enough container, as they’re typically planted in the ground. They can be planted all year round.

Potatoes usually take around 12 to 20 weeks to grow depending on the variety. If you plant your potatoes now, they should be ready for the autumn months.

Buy potato seeds from Amazon.

Runner beans and green beans grown in a bushy plant are also a good veg to grow in containers. You’ll need a spot which gets lots of sunlight, a pot that is at least one foot deep, and a trellis-like structure for the vines to grow on (for climbing varieties).

Buy bean seeds from B&Q, Homebase and Amazon.

Alongside tomatoes and radishes, peppers are one of the easiest vegetables to grow on a balcony. You’ll need a large, deep pot, preferably at least one foot deep for ideal growth.

Buy pepper seeds from B&Q, Homebase and Amazon.

Radishes can grow super fast, roughly taking around six to eight weeks to flourish. Some varieties grow even quicker, being ready in around 24 to 60 days from planting.

Buy radish seeds from B&Q, Homebase and Amazon.

You want to pick carrots that are short instead of the standard carrot types, as the standard carrot varieties need more room for their roots to grow. Also, make sure to select a container that is deep enough to support their long taproots.

Buy carrot seeds from B&Q, Homebase and Amazon.

Beetroots won't need large pots to grow in, luckily. They take around seven weeks to grow.

Buy beetroot seeds from B&Q, Homebase and Amazon.

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Vegetable seeds can be purchased from B&Q and Homebase.

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