Wirecutter - Turn your balcony into a garden oasis

When senior staff writer Tim Heffernan and his wife bought their Queens apartment in 2011, he was excited to start gardening on his new 140-square-foot balcony. 

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The first year, Tim diligently nursed tomato and chili plants from seed before moving them outside. But by the end of summer, out of 14 plants, Tim got one sad pepper and a handful of flavorless grape tomatoes. He didn’t plant anything else for a decade.

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Then the pandemic hit, and like many people, Tim turned to gardening again. After a couple of summers of mixed results, he finally cracked the code. 

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Transform your outdoor space→