Are you worried about the plants being over-watered? Put the box on wheels, and move it around.

Unless you have really delicate plants, this shouldn't be a problem.

Unless you're planting stuff that is supposed to be eaten (like tomatoes) you shouldn't have any problems with water dripping down from upstairs.

Water, even dirty, will be no problem for the plants. Wind is probably a bigger concern, so make sure they're well fixed to the railing. When selecting the plants, be sure they can tolerate the direct sun (that you're likely to get.) Indoor plants do best indoors - so if you go to a lawn & garden center, be sure to shop their outdoor section.

As said already, choose hardy, NON-edible plants, and take proper care of them -- you should be ok.

If the balcony is sunny, you need to be sure the plants don't bake -- you might want to put some of those hydrogel crystals (or beads -- I bought round ones for flower arranging at a dollar store) in the soil so the plant roots always have moisture available.

Also, make sure you use potting soil, not dirt from the yard. It drains better.

Finally, if your plants will hang over someone else's balcony, you could be nice and place the pots in a lined window box or tray of some kind, so any overflow from watering stays at your level, and doesn't drip on their rugs!!

If it really bothers you, you could try adding on a short fabric shade extension to your balcony roof, but like everyone else I don't think it will be a big deal.

Are you speaking from experience, Sherry? ;)

On the point of drainage, also line your pots with clay pot shards, to prevent soil from draining out of the pot with the water....you're neighbours may be okay with water dripping, but could be mighty annoyed with mud!

I don't think you should have problems regarding water dripping into your pots, Sumita. As others have pointed out, you probably don't want to grow anything you'd want to eat, but most plants should be happy as all heck with extra water dripping down, as long your pots have adequate drainage. My biggest problem with balcony growing has always been dryness. I face south, in a place that gets to 105-110 F in July. I have to water up to 3-4 times a day in the height of summer. Handy tool: I hook a hose up to my sink - there's a cool coiled up one (for small space storage),with a trigger, at Lee Valley Hardware.

Most plants sold at urban locations are grown for their urban hardiness. Just don't choose anything too delicate, and make sure you get plants that suit the light you receive. You'll be fine! Fabulous even! I love seeing apartment gardens, I hope we get to see pics of yours!

oops, i forgot to mention, one very important part of the story! I have planted all edibles (herbs and edible flowers). No really good way to protect up above because i don't own the place so I cant nail anything in, or I would just put up an awning of sorts.

You will probably be fine - cities are filled with dirt and exhaust and yet many of us grow plants to eat. In my experience, a lot of gardening is figuring it out as you go along ... you'll have to do this here. I'd focus on drainage making certain you plants get enough water but aren't waterlogged. After an afternoon of the rug above drying overhead, watch your plants to see if there are any ill effects. If you are really worried about the rug (and I'd worry less about the overhang), I'm guessing it's only out drying occasionally - so you could cover the pots with plastic when the rug is drying.

An aside - putting pot shards in the bottom of pots to help drainage is something of a myth (like much of gardening as far as I can tell) -- see this article: http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda%20Chalker-Scott/Horticultural%20Myths_files/Myths/Container%20drainage.pdf -- If it worked, wouldn't all the plants we buy at garden stores have shards at the bottom?

Just be glad you don't have crazy squirrels that dig up all your plants and destroy them! Cute little jerks.

I actually asked two different garden stores (reputable) about putting something at the bottom of the pot. I was told that as long as drilled a few holes in the bottom of my pot, and kept the pot elevated a bit from the tray, it would be ok. I still think a net or something would have been a good idea at the bottom of the pot to keep soil from clogging the holes. This is the one thing I did not do.

scmods2, herbs will grow most excellently on a balcony in the area where you live and in the city air and glare. Herbs like rosemary and lavender can withstand darn near any disaster, are so fragrant that your upstairs neighbors will be shouting compliments down to you while they dry their rugs, and they lead to all kinds of fun kitchen and cocktail experiments.

Good luck and have fun!

Most flowers will be fine. Marigolds are hardy and easy to grow in the sun. Impatients grow well in the shade.

I usually put my house plants out for the summer. They like it. Spider plants and snake plant

No one addressed the neighbours upstairs putting their rugs out to drip down on your balcony.

If you know them I would just trell them you are putting plants out therem, and could they please not hang their rugs out anymore. If you don't know them, I'd just leave a not under the door telling them their rugs are dripping on your plants, and could they please desist.

They probably have no idea the havoc that is causing.

Jenda - Thanks for addressing the question at hand. I guess I was thinking more along the lines of constructing something or a cover for the plants. I could talk to the neighbors but i jsut moved in and really don't feel comfortable asking someone that since they really should be able to dry stuff outside?

Will the plants get sun all day? If they will get more than adequate sunshine a little shade won't hurt. You could try getting a compact patio umbrella. IKEA used to sell some that attach to the balcony railing.