Hi,
I have never grown anything in my life, but now have a rather large (roughly 6m x 4m) balcony/patio area and woud like to try my hand at a few easier veges. North facing, in Canberra - I might need to protect with shade in mid-summer.
One issue I am finding is that balcony pots and elevated beds tend to be quite small - some interlocking small ones are around but expensive. Does anyone have any receommendations for larger lighteweight beds suitable to tiled surfaces, and easy to grow vegetables?
I know I am a bit late in the spring for a lot of planting, but that's fine. if nothing much grows this year, no great loss - I wouldn't expect to get things right first go anyway.
First to raised beds. Beds with a fitted base are going to be bulky and heavy. There are flat packed ones available but they tend to be smaller. We have one at 1000x300x400 with a fitted base that is perfect for tiled surfaces but you'd need a few to make it worthwhile on your 6mx4m balcony. The other option is open based beds of which there are many to choose from. But you'd need a plastic liner across the bottom and up the sides about 10cms and that would also need a drain hole. The plastic would be to stop soil leaking out at the bottom - but you must not stop the water getting out as it will sit and stagnate and rot your plant roots. Hence the need for a liner with at least one drain hole.
Now to the crops. You're not too late to plant herbs and veggies. Best to get seedlings from your local garden centre rather than wait for seeds to germinate though. Of the herbs - Parsely, Thyme, Oregano, Mint, Basil are easy to find and grow well all summer. Coriander prefers cooler weather though. For salads there's Lettuce and Radish which are easy, quick and tasty. If you can grow plants up to 1.5m high then tomatoes with a stake to support them would be ideal for your balcony - probably just two plants, I'd suggest one with large fruit like OxHeart or Marmande and one Cherry size fruit like Tommy Toe. And there's also cucumbers - again they'll need staking - two plants and a wigwam shaped support made from three stakes will be perfect. The Chinese Green that goes well in summer is Pak Choy. Buy seedlings and you'll have baby Pak Choy to harvest in a matter of weeks for stir fries.