I had good luck with bush beans in a window box size planter. Also grow spinach in a window box type. I start it early in a clear plastic bag (winter sow). Works great. But - I do use new miracle grow soil for my veggies.

If you read around on this site you'll see that almost any veggies can be grown in containers. I'd let your choices be dictated by your tastes--what do you like to eat? Make a wish list of your favorites, then use the "search" function to find specific information on each crop. I have the best luck with self-watering containers--search for instructions for homemade earth boxes. They really cut down on watering chores!

With your spinach and lettuce, just take a scissor and cut off the outer leaves. They'll keep growing forever. One year, at the end of fall, I mulched my spinach real well, and that spring those same spinach plants started shooting out leaves. I had spinach in march.

Thanks for all your suggestions. I have decided to make a few of those self-watering containers. In those I'll put tomatoes and eggplant. I've also decided to grow jalapenos, spinach and bush beans and several herbs.

Thanks for the spinach suggestion veggievicki. Great ideas!

I have a new question now. While my balcony will be free of rabbits, squirrels etc., insects are another issue. I prefer not to use chemicals to deter them. I've heard marigolds are good for repelling garden pests but are there any other flowers that work too? Thanks!

I went a little overboard on my Balcony Garden =).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kumato/

Its starting to become a Jungle!

Sumilea

Insects are the reason I tried the spinach in the window box containers. No more slugs or sowbugs. I keep the planter up on a little plant stand and no earwigs either!

What insects gave you a problem?

Not sure if you have Japanese beetles over there. They've never bothered my beans yet, but they do go after my basil. I plant the basil in a round pot, stick a small tomato cage in it, drape the cage in some (bridal veil) type netting fabric. Works great to keep the beetles off.