Bed & Balcony
Garden plans / Containers

Four-hour balcony greens

Three cool-season pots that avoid fruiting crops at low light.

Observe growth and local heat. These pots use leaf harvests; slower growth may extend the calendar.

Your next step

Direct sow · Spinach
2027-03-27 to 2027-04-10. Check local conditions first.

3target positions
2 bags40 L · after inventory

Print includes your layout, quantities, sources and all twelve weeks. Choose Save as PDF in your browser print dialog.

Your plan, ready to grow

Example dates

3 containers × 20 L · 7.9 in (20 cm) fill depth · 4 hours of sun · Start · Last spring frost

3target positions
60 Lusable fill volume
2 bags40 L each · after inventory
12 weeksyour first care plan

Planting layout

Top view · orient tall crops away from the sun-facing edge.

Four-hour balcony greens · phase 1pot-120 L usable · Ø 35.7 cm
Pot 1 · phase 1. Each dot is one target position. 20 L usable · diameter 35.7 cm
Four-hour balcony greens · phase 1pot-220 L usable · Ø 35.7 cm
Pot 2 · phase 1. Each dot is one target position. 20 L usable · diameter 35.7 cm
Four-hour balcony greens · phase 1pot-320 L usable · Ø 35.7 cm
Pot 3 · phase 1. Each dot is one target position. 20 L usable · diameter 35.7 cm
Positions and seasonal planting quantities
Zone / cropPositionsSpacingSeason purchase
pot-1 · Leaf lettuce11 planting batch12 × 12 in304.8 × 304.8 mm3 seeds1 seasonal target positions
pot-2 · Spinach11 planting batch6 × 6 in152.4 × 152.4 mm3 seeds1 seasonal target positions
pot-3 · Leaf lettuce11 planting batch12 × 12 in304.8 × 304.8 mm3 seeds1 seasonal target positions

Square bed spacing is the selected compact planting method. Container spacing describes root positions; foliage may spread beyond the pot. Seed quantities include 10% spare, with 2 small seeds per target and one bean seed per target. Follow cultivar packets if their spacing or sowing instructions differ.

Planting windows

Soil and weather decide the actual planting day.

2027-04-03 to 2027-04-17

Leaf lettuce · pot-1

Direct sow. Avoid heat and bolting; sow only in workable soil.

2027-03-27 to 2027-04-10

Spinach · pot-2

Direct sow. Sow in cool, workable soil; hot days and long daylight can cause bolting.

2027-04-03 to 2027-04-17

Leaf lettuce · pot-3

Direct sow. Avoid heat and bolting; sow only in workable soil.

What to buy

Owned items are deducted before buying.

Net supply list
SupplyRequiredAlready ownedBuy
Container potting mix60 L0 L2 × 40 L bags
Position labels (reuse between phases)3 each0 each3 each
Measuring tool1 each0 each1 each
Gentle watering tool1 each0 each1 each
Leaf lettuce · pot-1 · 1 batch3 seeds0 seeds3 seeds
Spinach · pot-2 · 1 batch3 seeds0 seeds3 seeds
Leaf lettuce · pot-3 · 1 batch3 seeds0 seeds3 seeds

Mix: 60 L theoretical × 1 allowance = 60 L; minus 0 L owned = 60 L net. Buying 80 L leaves 20 L beyond the net requirement. Allowance is your choice; no fixed compaction loss is assumed.

Your first twelve weeks

Check off each week as you work.

01Prepare and begin2027-04-01 — 2027-04-07To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • Measure the usable space. Prepare 60.0 L of potting mix before allowance. Observe growth and local heat. These pots use leaf harvests; slower growth may extend the calendar.
  • Direct sow: Leaf lettuce in pot-1. Avoid heat and bolting; sow only in workable soil.
  • Direct sow: Spinach in pot-2. Sow in cool, workable soil; hot days and long daylight can cause bolting.
  • Direct sow: Leaf lettuce in pot-3. Avoid heat and bolting; sow only in workable soil.
  • pot-1: check surface moisture and emergence without disturbing roots. Mist the surface gently; small seeds must not be washed away.
  • pot-2: check surface moisture and emergence without disturbing roots. Keep the seedbed evenly moist and protect newly emerging leaves.
  • pot-3: check surface moisture and emergence without disturbing roots. Mist the surface gently; small seeds must not be washed away.
02Check, tend and act · week 22027-04-08 — 2027-04-14To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • Direct sow: Leaf lettuce in pot-1. Avoid heat and bolting; sow only in workable soil.
  • Direct sow: Spinach in pot-2. Sow in cool, workable soil; hot days and long daylight can cause bolting.
  • Direct sow: Leaf lettuce in pot-3. Avoid heat and bolting; sow only in workable soil.
  • pot-1: check surface moisture and emergence without disturbing roots. Mist the surface gently; small seeds must not be washed away.
  • pot-2: check surface moisture and emergence without disturbing roots. Keep the seedbed evenly moist and protect newly emerging leaves.
  • pot-3: check surface moisture and emergence without disturbing roots. Mist the surface gently; small seeds must not be washed away.
03Check, tend and act · week 32027-04-15 — 2027-04-21To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • Direct sow: Leaf lettuce in pot-1. Avoid heat and bolting; sow only in workable soil.
  • Direct sow: Leaf lettuce in pot-3. Avoid heat and bolting; sow only in workable soil.
  • pot-1: check surface moisture and emergence without disturbing roots. Mist the surface gently; small seeds must not be washed away.
  • pot-2: when true leaves appear, thin toward 1 positions at 6.0 × 6.0 in (152 × 152 mm). Keep stronger seedlings; re-sow gaps only if conditions permit.
  • pot-3: check surface moisture and emergence without disturbing roots. Mist the surface gently; small seeds must not be washed away.
04Check, tend and act · week 42027-04-22 — 2027-04-28To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • pot-1: when true leaves appear, thin toward 1 positions at 12.0 × 12.0 in (305 × 305 mm). Keep stronger seedlings; re-sow gaps only if conditions permit.
  • pot-2: when true leaves appear, thin toward 1 positions at 6.0 × 6.0 in (152 × 152 mm). Keep stronger seedlings; re-sow gaps only if conditions permit.
  • pot-3: when true leaves appear, thin toward 1 positions at 12.0 × 12.0 in (305 × 305 mm). Keep stronger seedlings; re-sow gaps only if conditions permit.
  • Recount surviving positions before buying replacements. Check remaining seed and mix inventory.
05Check, tend and act · week 52027-04-29 — 2027-05-05To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • pot-1: when true leaves appear, thin toward 1 positions at 12.0 × 12.0 in (305 × 305 mm). Keep stronger seedlings; re-sow gaps only if conditions permit.
  • pot-2: Look for a developing flower stalk; use leaves early if heat is approaching. Compare actual growth with your seed packet; remove competing weeds carefully.
  • pot-3: when true leaves appear, thin toward 1 positions at 12.0 × 12.0 in (305 × 305 mm). Keep stronger seedlings; re-sow gaps only if conditions permit.
06Check, tend and act · week 62027-05-06 — 2027-05-12To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • pot-1: Check the growing center and take small outer leaves without uprooting the plant. Compare actual growth with your seed packet; remove competing weeds carefully.
  • pot-2: Take outer leaves at usable size; replace the crop once it bolts. Maturity estimate 40–55 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • pot-3: Check the growing center and take small outer leaves without uprooting the plant. Compare actual growth with your seed packet; remove competing weeds carefully.
07Check, tend and act · week 72027-05-13 — 2027-05-19To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • pot-1: Check the growing center and take small outer leaves without uprooting the plant. Compare actual growth with your seed packet; remove competing weeds carefully.
  • pot-2: Take outer leaves at usable size; replace the crop once it bolts. Maturity estimate 40–55 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • pot-3: Check the growing center and take small outer leaves without uprooting the plant. Compare actual growth with your seed packet; remove competing weeds carefully.
08Check, tend and act · week 82027-05-20 — 2027-05-26To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • pot-1: Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. Maturity estimate 45–60 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • pot-2: Take outer leaves at usable size; replace the crop once it bolts. Maturity estimate 40–55 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • pot-3: Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. Maturity estimate 45–60 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • Recount surviving positions before buying replacements. Check remaining seed and mix inventory.
09Check, tend and act · week 92027-05-27 — 2027-06-02To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • pot-1: Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. Maturity estimate 45–60 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • pot-2: Take outer leaves at usable size; replace the crop once it bolts. Maturity estimate 40–55 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • pot-3: Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. Maturity estimate 45–60 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
10Check, tend and act · week 102027-06-03 — 2027-06-09To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • pot-1: Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. Maturity estimate 45–60 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • pot-2: Take outer leaves at usable size; replace the crop once it bolts. Maturity estimate 40–55 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • pot-3: Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. Maturity estimate 45–60 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
11Check, tend and act · week 112027-06-10 — 2027-06-16To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • pot-1: Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. Maturity estimate 45–60 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • pot-2: Take outer leaves at usable size; replace the crop once it bolts. Maturity estimate 40–55 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • pot-3: Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. Maturity estimate 45–60 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
12Review and plan ahead2027-06-17 — 2027-06-23To do
  • Check moisture by touch in each active root zone; adjust watering to rain, heat and drainage. Containers may need checks between weekly visits.
  • pot-1: Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. Maturity estimate 45–60 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • pot-2: Take outer leaves at usable size; replace the crop once it bolts. Maturity estimate 40–55 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • pot-3: Pick usable outer leaves before bitterness or a flowering stalk develops. Maturity estimate 45–60 days from planting is a planning range; observe the crop before harvesting.
  • Review the next stage: late crops may need care beyond these twelve weeks. Record harvest, failures and remaining supplies before selecting your next planting.

Assumptions and sources

  • Spacing is for the selected compact planting method; follow your cultivar packet where it differs.
  • Seed allowance and minimum root-space limits are editable planning choices, not germination or yield guarantees.
  • Dates are preparation windows, not forecasts. Confirm soil temperature, weather and actual crop stage.

Fall plans use a 14-day buffer beyond estimated maturity. Succession plans allow 7 days after the preceding crop estimate and still require an empty zone. Minimum sun and root-space thresholds are planning limits, with cultivar and climate variation.

  1. UMN Extension: Growing lettuceFull-size leaf lettuce plant distance is 10–12 inches. Our 12-inch square cells use an intensive bed layout rather than conventional row aisles. Accessed 2026-10-04.
  2. UMD Extension: Growing vegetables in containers and salad tablesSun exposure, drainage, growing media and crop-specific minimum volumes; our thresholds are conservative planning settings. Accessed 2026-10-04.
  3. UMN Extension: Planting the vegetable gardenCool and warm season establishment; weather and soil readiness matter. Minnesota month dates are not used as global dates. Accessed 2026-10-04.
  4. UMN Extension: Planting for fall harvestMaturity is a cultivar-dependent estimate; our extra 14-day fall buffer is an explicit planning assumption. Accessed 2026-10-04.
  5. UMD Extension: Growing spinachCool-season spinach and final thinning distance. Six-inch cells are our selected intensive-bed method. Accessed 2026-10-04.

Plan garden-25 · version 1 · calculation 1. Actual germination, harvest and local climate performance have not been field tested.

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