I live in Sacramento, California in a one bedroom apartment and have a balcony. I'm a beginner and would like to know what I should do to get started? What veggies can I start now or in the future?
There is not much you can't grow on a balcony. Tomatoes are always a good starter for the new gardener, but you can try anything for now that stays compact (avoid squash until you are more sure of your balcony gardening skills). This article will help you: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/urban/balcony-vegetable-garden.htm
I have a variety of vegetables in pots and started them indoors. I have taken on some bugs in the process. I just watered yesterday with nutes and noticed an influx of bugs. Can I water with Neem oil concentrate today? I'm watering about once a week, and not sure if I can wait for the bug population to grow until the next watering. I have a few gnats buzzing, and in some pots I have very small white bugs that come to play when I blow on the soil. A friend said these were not spider mites but was unsure of what they are. Any tips, help or advice is well appreciated.
Adding the neem oil is fine anytime and should not interfere with the fertilizers. Be sure to spray the neem on the leaves as this is most effective.
It sounds like you have whiteflies. The neem should take care of them, but here is some more info on them, just in case you wanted to know more: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/whitefly-control.htm
Some time ago I purchased some plastic, vertical garden containers with some sort of felt liners. I am trying to find the best growing medium for the containers and an outlet that can supply the goods.
I would fill the containers with something that is well draining such as peat moss mixed with potting soil that has been amended with compost or well-rotted manure.
I want to start a vegetable garden on my balcony and everywhere I read, it says that drainage is key and to poke many holes in the bottom of the container for proper drainage. The problem with my balcony is that water runs right off it onto the balcony of my neighbor below. If I put each pot on a plate (a low rise dish which will catch the water), will I be able to water the vegetables enough without the water spilling over top? Or, can I just put rocks in the bottom of my non-draining pots so that the roots don't sit in the water?
Yes, either of these options will work. You can even use Styrofoam peanuts instead of rocks in the bottom of pots if you are worried that weight may be a problem.
My question is, I have had bad luck with my 35 x 75 regular vegetable garden. I normally try to grow all kinds of veggies, but this year nothing came up to amount to anything. Last year it was great; we had plenty of everything. I want to try a hanging garden this spring or even now if that's possible. What do you suggest that I do for my size garden as a hanging vegetable garden? I live in NC. (in Surry county) with lots of sunshine and good growing weather.
The following articles should be of some help to you:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/containers/upside-down-gardening.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/vegetables-grown-upside-down.htm
I'm growing herbs and veggies in containers. Can the potting soil be re-used for the next batch of seeds?
It can, but you need to be aware of 2 things. First, the nutrients in the soil will have been depleted, so you will need to replace those with either adding fertilizer or compost. Second, old potting soil can harbor pests and disease, so it is best to sterilize it before reusing. Here is an article on sterilizing soil:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/sterilizing-soil.htm
I live in central Florida, in a condo on an end unit with only about a 3' by 7-8' space for a small garden. It also only gets morning sun (faces the east). Unfortunately, the unit does not have gutters and all rainwater runs straight off the roof. What would be the best vegetables to plant? It's now January. I do plan to do some container gardening also.
For plants requiring little sun, this article should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/shade-vegetables.htm
I think containers may be the better way to go since you have more flexibility and can move them to a sunnier location. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/containers/designing-your-container-vegetable-garden.htm
As for the run off from the rain, why not get a rain barrel. Rain barrels can be attached to the downspout and will collect rainwater that would normally run into the yard. You could then use this to water your plants.