Urban Gardeners

Comment by Jennifer on April 24, 2013 at 2:53pm

Now that we've crossed container gardening off the list (insert throat clearing here), anyone want to write about growing strawberries?

Comment by Pam Joseph on July 15, 2014 at 5:35pm

I'm experimenting with worm towers in the larger pots on my ground-floor balcony. Does anyone have any experience with these,and any advice for me? I'd add a photo to this comment but can't figure out how (newbie!)

Comment by Jennifer on July 16, 2014 at 9:11am

Hi, Pam! Here's how to add a pic: When you click on the comments box to start typing a comment, do you see that bar of icons ("link" on the left, "html" on the far right) above? The second icon from the left is the "add a photo" option. Let me know if that works or if you still have questions!

Comment by Pam Joseph on July 23, 2014 at 12:45am

Hello again

Here's a photo of my pot-adapted worm towers.

So far so good - the worms still seem to be alive, as far as I can see. It's winter here, which means very filtered sunlight on our west-facing balcony, and temperatures between around 9-18* C.  At the moment I have the following plants growing, some looking very content with life, others not so much: parsley (flat and curly), sage, rosemary and thyme (tra la la), oregano, mint, coriander, chilli, brahmi, kaffir lime, chives, carrots (fingers crossed), and...a strawberry plant. Also a sad-looking hydrangea, a tub of primulas and two frangipani plants, all of which have emotional significance for one reason or another but obviously don't fit with the 'edible' concept. I'm keen to hear of anyone else's experiences with this kind of venture.

Comment by Jennifer on July 28, 2014 at 9:33am

Thanks for sharing this! Since it's a little hard to see in the photo, could you tell us what steps 1 through 6 are? (And I can sympathize on the sad-looking hydrangea. I'm trying to nurse one that's stuck in a shady spot back to health.)

Comment by Ginny Hopper on September 20, 2016 at 4:10pm

Nice job Jenn! Your lucky you have that cyclone fence to anchor your berry canes too. I trained mine to a fence and the "side shoots" the main canes put out in the spring turns into a cascade of blooms then berries. Picking is easy! At the end of the growing season I just trim the side shoots off and leave the mama cane. New canes still come up and I just direct them to the fence.

Comment by Ginny Hopper on September 20, 2016 at 8:49pm

I know what you mean! I have Marionberry and Blackberry canes growing on my "living" wire fence. I walk it each morning and weave the canes in and out of the fencing being very careful of the tips to keep them from breaking. The deer keep the outer digit sprouts trimmed fairly good and that keeps the berry production on my protected side. I harvested and made so much jam last year that this year I canned up berry juice concentrate, plus we have been drinking fresh berry juice almost every day. The season is almost finished. I use a Champion Juicer to make my juice and that sweet work-horse removes every single seed! You can find them on Craigslist for $75-$100 (check the parts for cracks) and they are worth every single cent! I also use the juicer for making pectin-free jam & jelly and apple cider vinegar, pear & apple butters and pear juice.

Comment by Ginny Hopper on September 21, 2016 at 8:59am

You bet! Happy to be of service!

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