Ever snipped fresh methi (fenugreek) for parathas or picked your own palak (spinach) for a quick stir-fry — all from a few pots on your balcony? With rising prices, busy schedules, and shrinking green spaces, more people are turning to balcony gardening not just as a hobby, but as a way to eat better, live greener, and feel the joy of growing their own food.

And the best part? Some Indian veggies are ready to harvest in just 30 days — no sprawling kitchen garden required.

Here’s how to get started with fast-growing, flavourful favourites that fit right into your balcony life.

1. Spinach (Palak)

Harvest in: 25-30 days

Spinach is a hardy leafy green that grows quickly in well-drained soil and prefers full sunlight. To speed up germination, soak the seeds overnight before sowing. Use shallow and wide containers at least six inches deep.

Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid overwatering, and thin out the seedlings once they sprout to allow proper growth. Harvest the outer leaves while allowing the inner ones to continue growing.

2. Fenugreek (Methi)

Harvest in: 20-25 days

Methi grows best in a........

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