Thanks for the feedback everyone! Hi pnbrown, Is that because of fertilizer runoff? I'll probably be using organic methods for soil, but that sounds like maybe even my well might be at risk. I'll give your arm-dial method a shot when I visit again. Hey fruitnut, Great to hear! It's more like my home would be on a hill that's the highest within a small radius, then surrounded by taller peaks further away. There's no boulders and the grade of the land isn't too severe, though it's far from flat. Hi wayne_5, The place is in zone 9, so I hope I'll be able to take advantage of the relatively warm winters and keep on growing. Also plan to use at least one greenhouse. Is there maybe some kind of agriculture professional that could give me the answer based on a topographic map? Things are looking good, so that might help to finalize that I'm making the right choice.

What you have is "Filtered" sunlight, which is fine for now, but as your plants get older like the one on the left, you will want to get them out into full sun as much as possible unless your temps are constantly in the upper 90's or hotter, then the filtered sun would be better. It probably isn't filtered a whole lot through screen but still full sun is better and getting them outside will likely allow longer direct sun than 6 hours per day. That being said, they will still probably grow and produce where they are at. Bruce

As someone who's yard is rather shaded, you have my empathy. The sunniest spot in my backyard gets about 6 hours direct sunlight (and that is where my tomatoes are). Fortunately, it is against the concrete house foundation and I get some light reflection from it. I think 4 hours is too little. You may get some tomatoes, but they are likely to be small and not develop their full complex flavors. You could try putting a reflective surface behind them to increase sunlight. You could use white-painted plywood or aluminum foil covered plywood. I have some of that red plastic sheeting sold to put on the ground and I am going to hang some behind the cages.

Paul and Christina I like your thinking! :-) Paul, the common/shared balcony does get some weather but not with the same force or as much rain as mine. I've never noticed a power outlet on the shared balcony, but I wouldn't use it anyway because we have a lot of people here that have absolutely no idea of safety. We have another balcony directly above ours the same size as ours, so there is better shelter from the elements. My balcony also has a small balcony above, the same size as mine. Oh my goodness! I have the same sort of shelving in my room, of the first image from your link lol. I bought expensive ones so they can hold more weight than I could ever manage. I did put the small one outside for a short while but it started developing surface rust pretty quickly. But I've noticed recently much cheaper ones of the same design. What type of store is the BBS? I wouldn't like to tie or even chain anything from the balcony fence above and we have asked permission to get hooks for hanging plants, I even offered to pay to get them to get professionally done, a firm no :-( By the way, I have often used zip ties with far greater success than even strong wire, and cheap enough to replace often if needed. Christina, I love the lockable wheels thought! Then I could even take them from the shared balcony to mine and vice versa. And even inside if needed. Just had a thought! We have a walkway across to the next building/wing of the complex, that I've noticed gets full sun for quite a few hours in the middle of the day. I also have a few trusted friends on my floor who's balconys face north so should get the hottest sun for many hours. So...... cheap shelving with wheels, maybe 2 if needed. Roll the plants all over the place to get the best conditions available for any season lol. Equals - I may be able to keep and add to my Succulents after all!!! Woooo hooooooo :-D Also very spoilt plants lol. Also equals a very long post. Sorry guys. But thank you so much!!!!