Every year, readers ask about patio gardening for apartments and small spaces. And, every year, I am reminded of my very first patio garden.

While finishing my undergrad work at the U of M, I lived in a great brownstone apartment with hardwood floors, stained glass windows and a three season porch. My roommates and I had a great view of the skyline, but not so much sunlight. The building next door block our north-facing windows and our west-facing windows caught summer’s warmest rays around 2 p.m.

Our landlord discouraged gardening in his yard and we didn’t trust our frat boy neighbors (or their drunken friends) to leave our plants in one piece. But, unphased by such challenges, my roommate Melissa decided to test her green thumb on a little porch garden. She filled a few pots with dirt, planted seeds, then crossed her fingers.

The sun scorched many seedlings. Others grew too leggy and Melissa grew frustrated. Vigorous and stubborn, the morning glories soon sprouted and quickly climbed anything and everything. All June and July, we had big beautiful blooms. Our porch was transformed, enchanted. It quickly became our favorite room in the apartment.

Now, as I run out of room in my own garden, I think of Melissa’s morning glories and try to emulate her experimental spirit. Each year, I own more patio pots, and each year, I test my green thumb by growing edibles in these small spaces.

Lettuce was easy. Spinach was too. My bush beans (not pole beans) were incredibly productive.

My heirloom tomatoes died. Roots twisted tightly around each other, they obviously hated to be confined. My attempt to grow cukes in a pot was a total flop.

Peppers have been my biggest surprise. They don’t grow as big as other members of the nightshade family (tomatoes and potatoes) and seem to like living in medium-sized pots. They also love full sun.

So, what sorts of edibles have you successfully grown in a patio pot? What advice do you have for gardeners with small growing spaces?

The beds are tilled and my seedlings are ready to go — But where?

Unfortunately, my garden impulse buys are becoming organizational headaches.

Last year, I relied on companion planting to maximize my space. It was great for plants that can tolerate a little crowding like herbs, beans and greens, but not so great for veggies that need lots of sun (and pollination) like tomatoes and peppers. Between the squirrels and all the tangled-bee-thwarting foliage, I was lucky to get a tomato or two a week.

This year, I’m little short on garden space and a little behind schedule. I’d like to blame our hot and humid Memorial Day weekend for my disorganization. However, at this point in the growing season, my enthusiasm has become my biggest enemy.

Purple potatoes? Gimme, gimme, gimme — I’ll take ‘em all! Woo Woo!

(Note to self: Next year, do not plant an entire bed of potatoes on a whim because you will have no room for your pickling cukes or fancy melons.)

So, how do you “make do” when you run out of garden space? Try container planting? Edible landscaping? Sneak next door and plant in your neighbors’ beds?

I bought a copy of Square Foot gardening for some ideas, but I’m a little intimidated. Anyone have success growing melons or cukes on a trellis?