We all have that favorite warm-weather food moment: slicing into a fresh tomato, shoving your face into a juicy watermelon, tossing corn cobs on the grill … But did you know the produce you love isn't that fresh if you're buying from a grocery store?
Studies have found that fresh produce often travels over 1,500 miles before getting eaten, which reduces the amount of nutrients you get when you consume it.
"The farther food travels and the longer it takes en route to the consumer, the more freshness declines and the more nutrients are lost," says the National Center for Appropriate Technology. "Many fruits and vegetables are engineered for a long shelf life, sacrificing taste and nutrition for preservation."
And all that travel adds up: 20% of the total carbon pollution from our food systems comes from transportation.
So instead of buying a tomato that's taken a longer trip than you have in the past few weeks, consider looking closer to home. Like, really close. You don't need a homestead to start gardening. You can create a food-producing oasis on your small balcony or terrace!
It's unrealistic to think you'll grow everything you need on your 15-square-foot balcony, but you can offset some of the financial and environmental costs of buying produce. Plus, it's a great way to take a break from staring at screens all day.
Here are a few things to consider as you start your balcony garden:
What do you actually like to eat?
Perhaps most important is considering what you and your household will actually eat. We have visions of bountiful tomatoes, peppers, and beans taking over our balcony garden, but if you wrinkle your nose at peppers, it's not worth wasting the space.
What's too expensive at the farmer's market?
You're not going to grow all or most of your own food in a small space, so one angle to consider is what you can replace that would be most high-value. For many people, it's heirloom tomatoes and greens. What could add up very quickly at the local market could be reasonably replaced by a few plants.
On the other hand, it's probably not worth the space to grow relatively cheap potatoes.
What direction does your garden face, and how much sun does it get?
Plants all love the sun, but some love it more than others. Do your research on how much sunlight your balcony or terrace gets in a day and figure out what plants will thrive. If your balcony only gets a few hours of sun, tomatoes will struggle, but greens and herbs will thrive. Work with what you've got.
Ready to get started? We recommend:
Dr. Earth potting soil
Why It's Cool
When container gardening, it's on you to make sure your plants are getting all the nutrients they need. Dr. Earth's 100% organic mix is sustainably made in the USA and designed specifically to grow healthy, productive plants both indoors and outdoors.
$6.99+
Microgreens Window Shelf
Why It's Cool
Billing itself as the first "net negative" gardening company, Urban Leaf is serious about gardening sustainably. Its USA-made, apartment-friendly window growing kit means you can grow microgreens and herbs even if you have no outdoor space at all.
$59
Gardener's Supply Co Galvanized Ribbed Planters
Why It's Cool
Setting up a balcony garden comes with some upfront costs, so it's important you choose long-lasting, quality items you won't need to replace anytime soon. We recommend these galvanized ribbed planters from Certified B-Corp Gardener's Supply Co as just that.
$26.99+
Bloem Recycled Plastic Planter
Why It's Cool
If you're looking for a low-cost, lightweight planter you can probably pick up today, Lowe's has you covered with its range of basic recycled planters. They come in a variety of colors, so you can mix and match to fit your style.
$8.58
JOYSFIT Expanding Willow Trellis
Why It's Cool
These willow trellises don't just look great, they provide extra support for plants that want to grow upwards. Best of all, they grow and expand to fit your unique space — and fold back up once the season's over for easy storage.
$23.99
Bootstrap Farmer Grow Bags
Why It's Cool
Made from food-safe felt and BPA-free polypropylene plastic, grow bags are a great option for container gardens. We love grow bags specifically because they're made to move, so if you need to chase the sun during the day, their sturdy handles make the job easier.
$32.99+
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