Journal
A Full Year of Balcony Gardening: The Numbers
A full year of balcony gardening. Total harvest, costs, failures, and lessons. Here are the actual numbers.
A Full Year of Balcony Gardening: The Numbers
A full year of balcony gardening. Total harvest, costs, failures, and lessons. Here are the actual numbers.
The Setup
- 3x3 foot balcony
- 6 pots (5-gallon and 3-gallon)
- South-facing, 6-8 hours of sun
Total Harvest
| Crop | Amount |
|---|
| Cherry tomatoes | 89 |
| Peppers | 14 |
| Basil | 5 cups |
| Lettuce | 8 weeks |
| Radishes | 22 |
| Beans | 45 pods |
| Zucchini | 8 fruits |
Total Cost
| Item | Cost |
|---|
| Pots and soil | $65 |
| Seeds (3 kits) | $100 |
| Fertilizer | $15 |
| Water | $20 |
| Total | $200 |
Store Value of Harvest
- Tomatoes: $90
- Peppers: $25
- Basil: $30
- Lettuce: $25
- Radishes: $15
- Beans: $20
- Zucchini: $15
- Total: $220
What I Learned
- Balcony gardening pays for itself. Barely, in year 1.
- Year 2 is cheaper. Pots and soil are reusable.
- Tomatoes are the highest value crop.
- Herbs give the best return.
What I’ll Do Differently Next Year
- Grow more tomatoes.
- Skip zucchini (too much space for the yield).
- Add a second basil plant.
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