Question 1

My balcony only gets 2-3 hours of morning sun—can I still grow vegetables?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but choose strategically. Leafy greens (lettuce, spinach, methi, coriander), herbs (mint, parsley, chives), and some root vegetables (radish, beet greens) thrive in 3-4 hours of sunlight. Avoid tomatoes, peppers, and fruiting vegetables—they need 6-8 hours minimum.

Question 2

What's the difference between 'bright indirect light' and 'partial shade'?

Accepted Answer

Bright indirect light means strong light that's filtered (like through a sheer curtain or tree canopy)—plants cast soft shadows. Partial shade means 3-6 hours of direct sun with shade the rest of the day. For home gardening, they're similar enough that plants tolerating one usually handle the other.

Question 3

My Mumbai balcony gets harsh afternoon sun—should I use shade cloth?

Accepted Answer

For April-June, absolutely. West-facing Mumbai balconies get brutal 2-6 PM sun that scorches even sun-loving plants. Use 40-50% shade cloth during peak summer. It reduces heat stress while maintaining enough light. Remove it during monsoon and pleasant months.

Question 4

Can I use grow lights for a completely sunless room?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but manage expectations. Grow lights work for leafy greens, herbs, and some indoor plants. They won't replace sun for tomatoes or flowering plants. Position LED grow lights 6-12 inches above plants, run 12-14 hours daily. It's more expensive (electricity) but makes no-sun spaces productive.

Question 5

I have a north-facing balcony in Delhi—what can I realistically grow?

Accepted Answer

North-facing in Delhi gets bright indirect light but minimal direct sun (maybe 1-2 hours). Perfect for: mint, coriander (winter), ferns, money plant, snake plant, peace lily, and shade-tolerant foliage. Skip vegetables needing full sun. In winter, even north-facing might get better light—experiment then.

Question 6

Why did my tomato plant flower but produce tiny tomatoes in my shaded balcony?

Accepted Answer

Insufficient light. Tomatoes need 6-8 hours direct sun to photosynthesize enough energy for fruit development. In shade, they survive, flower, but can't produce full-sized fruit. Either move to sunnier spot or switch to shade-appropriate crops. No hack fixes inadequate light for sun-lovers.

Question 7

How do I know if my plant is getting too much sun versus too little sun?

Accepted Answer

Too much sun: Leaf edges brown/crispy, bleached pale patches, wilting despite wet soil, entire plant looks scorched. Too little sun: Leggy stretched stems, small pale leaves, leaning toward light source, no flowering, slow growth. Adjust location based on symptoms—plants tell you clearly.

Question 8

Does reflected light from nearby buildings count as sunlight for plants?

Accepted Answer

Partially. Reflected light adds brightness (good for indirect-light plants) but it's weaker than direct sun. If your balcony gets 2 hours direct + 4 hours reflected light, count it as 3-4 hours equivalent for planning. Reflected light prevents it from being 'full shade' but won't satisfy full-sun plants.

Sunlight and Shade: Understanding Light Requirements for Your Garden

Sunlight and Shade: Understanding Light Requirements for Your Garden