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Personal development · Productivity

The Balcony Harvest: A Complete Guide to Growing Vegetables in Containers

Transform your patio, balcony, or windowsill into a productive vegetable patch. This practical course covers everything from choosing the right pots and compost to sowing, caring for, and harvesting a wide range of crops in limited spaces. No garden? No problem.

360 min8 modulesBeginner friendly
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Free to take. This course does not use any Learning Credits.

What you’ll be able to do

By the end of this course, you will be able to confidently select suitable containers and compost, sow and care for at least six different vegetables, manage pests and watering in a container setting, and plan a continuous harvest from spring through autumn.

Course outline

A clear route from first principles to practical confidence

  1. 01

    Getting Started: Pots, Compost, and Location

    • Choosing the right container: size, material, and drainage
    • Compost for containers: multipurpose, peat-free, and homemade mixes
    • Finding the best spot: sunlight, shelter, and microclimates
    • Essential tools and equipment for container growing
  2. 02

    Sowing and Planting: From Seed to Seedling

    • Reading seed packets: timing, depth, and spacing for containers
    • Sowing indoors vs. direct sowing: pros and cons
    • Pricking out, potting on, and hardening off
    • Buying plug plants: what to look for and how to transplant
  3. 03

    Watering and Feeding: Keeping Containers Happy

    • Watering wisely: how much, how often, and when
    • Self-watering containers and water-saving techniques
    • Liquid feeds, slow-release fertilisers, and homemade options
    • Signs of overwatering, underwatering, and nutrient deficiencies
  4. 04

    Top Crops for Containers: Salad Leaves and Herbs

    • Cut-and-come-again salads: lettuce, rocket, and spinach
    • Compact herbs: basil, chives, parsley, and mint
    • Succession sowing for a steady harvest
    • Growing microgreens and baby leaves
  5. 05

    Top Crops for Containers: Tomatoes, Peppers, and Chillies

    • Choosing the right varieties: bush, trailing, and dwarf types
    • Supporting and staking: canes, cages, and trellises
    • Pruning, pinching out, and pollinating
    • Ripening and harvesting for best flavour
  6. 06

    Top Crops for Containers: Root Veg and Leafy Greens

    • Deep pots for long roots: carrots, parsnips, and radishes
    • Leafy greens that keep giving: kale, chard, and spring onions
    • Thinning and spacing for good shape and size
    • Storing root vegetables from containers
  7. 07

    Pests, Diseases, and Common Problems

    • Aphids, slugs, and caterpillars: prevention and organic controls
    • Fungal diseases: mildew, blight, and rot in pots
    • Yellow leaves, poor growth, and blossom end rot
    • Companion planting and natural pest deterrents
  8. 08

    Planning for Year-Round Harvests

    • Seasonal crop rotation in containers
    • Extending the season: cloches, fleece, and cold frames
    • Overwintering crops: kale, leeks, and winter salads
    • Reviewing your successes and planning next year