GardenBanter.co.uk - View Single Post

14-05-2006, 06:04 PM posted to alt.home.lawn.garden

wrote:

I live in an appartent - 10th floor, which is in Toronto, Canada. I am
thinking of growing three vegetables in the Flower Pots. I don't know
anything about growing. I have one flower pot, but that's about it

Right now,I want to grow tomatoes, green chilies, and mint. I am hoping
that I can grow them without using any chemical.

I did some research about growing aboved mentioned vegetables, however,
most of the advice is about growing them in a garden. Do I have worry
about same issues - like danger of frost, temperature, acid soil with
a pH, diseases, and rotating crops?

I learned that there are varities of tomatoes, geen chilies, and I am
not sure which one will be good for growing in an appartment. Also, I
like the mint avilable in indian market in Toronto, it has very nice
smell, does anyone know what's called, I would like grow that mint.

From what I understand tomatoes and other plants need rich soil. I read
that some people used left over tea-bags, water which they used to
clean vegtable & rice for enriching soil. Can I use egg shell, leafs
for it, beside tea-bags, rice water? I am not sure I can get a organic
fertilizer in Toronto. According to one site tomatoes are members of
the poisonous nightshade family, I don't suppose their leaf can be used
for soil rich?

Ps: My appartment windows are east & west, will this be a problem?

Thanks in advance.

Hi Michael, I'm Zone 6A Ontario. I'm assuming you don't have a
balcony? If not, my DD grew vegetables in their condo with no balcony
not far from Toronto. Any garden can be managed without the use of
strong chemicals but you may need a few non-toxic to humans home
remedies. Pests shouldn't be a problem unless they come in with the
plants. Use Safer's Soap or mix your own: 1 - 2 drops vegetable oil, 1
- 2 drops dish soap, in a spray bottle then fill with water. Use as
needed. You won't have to worry as much about temperature just don't
let them get the cool breeze from the AC. Larger tomatoes such as
beefsteak won't do as well but you should be able to grow any of the
grape tomatoes. I would suggest Tiny Tims or Sweet Millions as both
perform nicely. Mint is basically a weed and there are many varieties.
Grow mint on your window sill. I'm not sure what mint is at the
Indian market but you could always ask. I grow pineapple mint,
chocolate mint, spearmint, and peppermint. Other herbs that are easy to
grow that you might be interested in: oregano, chives, lemon balm,
lavender, thyme, parsley, and any of the basils. Basil is an annual so
expect it to die come winter. I haven't grown green chilies but I have
grown other peppers. They tend to be a little more finicky for me. If
growing from seed, some plants are susceptible to "dampening off". That
means the seed sprouts and everything looks good then suddenly it bends
over and is dead. To prevent this, brew a strong cup of chamomile tea.
Allow to cool then spray the seedlings until they are out of the
danger zone.

HTH & Happy Gardening

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