Hey everyone! I'm living in an apartment with a northeast-facing balcony, which means two sides are blocked by buildings, but I do have some exposure to the north and east sky. It rains a lot where I am, so I don't get much direct sunlight—mostly partial and indirect light. I'm really eager to grow tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, and perhaps a few other veggies, but I'm concerned about whether I'll get enough sunlight for those plants to thrive. Should I invest in grow lights, or is it even possible to grow these vegetables in my situation? I don't have a meter to check the light levels, so I'm just looking for some advice from anyone who might be in a similar position. Thanks in advance!
2 Answers
You really need to consider how many hours of direct sunlight your balcony gets. Typically, tomatoes and peppers require at least 8 hours of full sun to thrive. If you're getting less, I’d recommend sticking to shade-friendly veggies like leafy greens instead.
Given that your balcony faces northeast, I'd say it's going to be tough for tomatoes and peppers. You'd need at least 6 hours of direct sun for those to grow fruitfully. If that’s not the case, consider options like lettuce or arugula which can manage with lower light.
Yeah, but I've heard that no veggies really thrive in full shade. You might still get some leaves, just not much fruit.