What is bio-intensive gardening? What are the important facts on bio-intensive gardening in urban horticulture?
This article should help with that: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/biointensive-planting-method.htm
My gardening space is a balcony above a highly traveled roadway. Soot and grime get all over everything from the roadway below.
Is it safe to garden vegetables and herbs in this environment? Any suggestions for shielding plants from the direct effects of the polluted air blown up from the street?
Thanks in advance!
It is safer to grow some vegetables and herbs compared to others. Anything that grows below the soil (such as carrots and radishes) are fine. Above the soil line, the problems vary depending on the type of plants. For example, fast growing plants are more affected by pollutants. So lettuces and basil, may be more affected than tomatoes and peppers.
Regardless, if you have concerns about the health of your plants from pollutants, there are things you can do to reduce the affects. First, overhead watering will work. While most of the time, overhead watering can cause issue like fungus, in your case, overhead watering will help to routinely wash away the day's pollution.
Also, you can use row cover material to cover your plants. This will help filter away the pollutants before they can settle on your plants.
As a non gardener I would like to try and grow red/yellow peppers, tomatoes and green beans. Is this feasible and should I get a plastic greenhouse or could I grow them in my porch, which is very sunny for most of the day? All suggestions greatly received.
You don't have to get a greenhouse but you can if desired. As long as they receive plenty of warmth and light, they should be fine. These articles will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/tomato/growing-tomatoes-guide.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/pepper/how-to-grow-red-peppers.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/beans/tips-for-growing-beans.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/growing-vegetables-with-seeds.htm
Indoor landscapes for residences.
Indoor/interior landscaping, also known as plantscaping, is the practice of designing, arranging, and caring for living plants in enclosed environments. In other words indoor gardening, such as with houseplants. This can be done professionally for businesses or by homeowners that simply wish to garden indoors.
Is constant daily moving bad or stressful for potted fruits and vegetables? I live in a condo with a couple of big trees in front of my balcony. I get very filtered sunlight that is constantly on the move and I am re-positioning them all day long all over the balcony.
As long as they are receiving a fair amount of light and you're not uprooting them in any way, they should be fine.
What type of plants I can plant between sidewalk and street?
This article should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/shgen/shrubs-to-plant-between-the-sidewalk-and-street.htm
I'm trying to start up a balcony vegetable garden, but living in Houston with its excessive temperatures is making this more difficult than I originally thought. My balcony faces directly west, so during the hot summer months (end of March to end of October, basically) the entire balcony gets 8+ hours of near-direct or direct sunlight. The only plant that hasn't withered and died is a pineapple top I planted last fall. Do you have any suggestions on fruit/vegetable plants that thrive in the heat and sun? I can't hang up any shades due to condo guidelines.
I don't want to discourage you but you have a tough situation. Asking plants that are generally grown in the ground plus adding the heat and sunshine they are exposed to, is pushing the limits. I hope I am wrong - I would think you could grow patio tomatoes if you water a bunch!!!!! You can probably grow some of the herbs, as well. You would have bright shade if you are allowed to have a vertical vine of some kind growing that would grow upright giving your plants that condition. Good luck. And water, water, water. Herbs don't need as much as the tomato, however.