The Winter Sun Shines on my Balcony -- 1/31 Garden Update

As it is the last day of the month, I feel obligated to give an overall update of my garden. The weather has been very weird lately. There have been days where it has hit 70 degrees within the past week. In the last two days, the area got its first rain of the year. I'm worried that these drought conditions will continue, as we haven't gotten enough rain yet. Regardless, this garden is still growing strong.

The sun shines upon my balcony

Starting with the downstairs balcony. The bok choy are growing their first leaves. I have thinned them out so only 1 seedling is in each net pot now. They should be taking off soon.

System overview

Bok choy closeup

The lettuce has been harvestable for the last week, and I've used several leaves in my cooking this week. The strawberry plants have grown flowers and fruit is beginning to form.

This ledge of the balcony (see top photo for other ledge)

Strawberries forming!

Let's move upstairs now. On the right half of the balcony, all the lettuce, cabbage, and cilantro are growing out of control. I might be getting more cabbage soon to cook with.

Cabbage closeup #1

Right side overview

Lettuce and cilantro

Cabbage closeup #2

All of the chard plants on the left side of the garden had way too many leaves, so I ended up harvesting a bunch. I made some stir fry with some and gave some to a friend of mine.

Upper Chard

Lower Chard

Much like the Swiss Chard, the Kale is also getting larger. I haven't harvested any of those leaves yet, but when I do, I'm making kale chips.

Left side overview

Upper Kale

Lower Kale

Now onto my giant white bin. The question you've all been wanting to be answered. Did the seeds I plant in the giant white subirrigated planter end up germinating? Yes....something did. I do not know if it is the spinach that germinated or the carrot seeds I replanted the week after, but I think it is spinach germinating.

Spinach??

A few have popped up all over the bin, so I think it's spinach.

This concludes this week's update. Next week I will be trying to harvest some of that kale. I plan to get my spring seeds started by the middle of February, but it all depends on how long it takes the bok choy to grow. What should I plant for spring?