Hi Kristi..I 'wish' I had your problem..LOL (reside in IL) Did you have your heart set on potted or under-ground citrus? Sounds like your balcony gets adequate light. Since it faces east, does it receive any south sun? Is anything obstructing the upper part of your balcony? An awning or a second upper balcony? I'd like to add, I'm NO expert, just a citrus/plant lover and grower.. In most cases, lack of sun is the issue..If you decide to plant in ground, set citrus out gradually, until they acclimate.. But honestly, citrus I keep out front,faces west, with added north and south, do far better than those out back which is semi-shaded by a big, old maple tree, facing mostly south, and additional east and north. Still they flower and fruit..since you're in Ca, have much longer seasons than us Illinoians, I'm sure your balcony will suffice. I honestly think your balcony would do. (if you want to keep your trees in pots) It's highly unlikely your citrus will die from lack of light on the balcony..you can always keep them there this spring/summer/fall..If results aren't to your satisfaction, plant in the yard next year. Since your soil is mostly clay, it'll need amending. This means, digging, and re-digging. And tilling. Don't bother using a small tiller like Mantis..I have one..it works, only after sections are tilled by larger rototillers. Deep into the earth..ridding grass roots is not an easy task. I personally dislike grass-killing-agents where I intend planting, especially edibles..(that's my hangup) Poisons..uh uh..Other mediums will need to be added in the area you want to plant trees. It's a big job, but can be done..and worth the effort after the job is completed..You'll feel great.. What is 8ish soil? Do you mean it's alkaline? If so, another project ,,, bringing those numbers down..But that's just a matter of adding other mediums, blending in, and voila, a Perfect 4-6 acidic soil. Growing citrus in pots requires similar soil, only on a much smaller scale..Again, I'm no expert, only grown a couple barely-edible citrus in the garden year round..so my experiences lie in containers. Perhaps someone from your area will chime in. Whatever you decide, I wish you the best..believe me, citrus are worth the work, either way..Toni

Mike thank you for your very kind words . Mike your at the top of the list for growing citrust in northern climates . I have seen pictures of your citrus in the past what can I say but truly amazing . You are the one we all go to for advice and you are always there like a true friend Thankyou . You helped me this year with my soil , you warned me i could run into salt problems and watering problems in the winter and as soon as I changed the soil my trees responded rapidly with all kinds of growth and flowers . Very important people to listen to good advice . My trees Thankyou . Mike I am 300 miles north of you the way the crow flies and what I think make my trees so healthy and large and the fruit taste amazing is the micro climate in my backyard . Truly I don't think I would have the same success in another backyard . You need lots of sun and heat and never let the trees dry out . My backyard has the heat just not tonight the sun and I provide the fertilizer and water . I never stroll to far from home for very long because I know my trees can only go 36 hours between watering . Doesn't bother me in the least because everything I love is at home . The GH makes a big difference I will never try growing citrus inside the house again . So many problems with bugs and sticky stuff coming off the trees . It's almost like watching something you really love die a slow painful looking death . Hats off to the people who have had great success growing them inside there houses these people truly are the ultimate citrus growers . Mike I know you grow a tree in the ground in the GH I think it is a Satuma. Do you have any problems with frost in the ground . How do you stop the frost from reaching the roots do you have a underground foundation under the GH . I would love to try something like that someday .

There is a bunch of periwinkle in the area between my house and side walk. It's been there much longer than we have and it thrives, even though it gets sun most of the day and little rain since it's under the eves on the south side of my house. I haven't noticed that it chokes out the other perennials, but I do yank out some of the vinca when I do clean-up, especially if I feel it's getting too thick. I love the purple flowers. I have the dark-leaved kind. I used to have some creeping phlox in partial sun, which is beautiful when it's in bloom and covered with flowers, but I don't know how well it shares. I now have golden creeping jenny that I planted last year that's coming back much heartier than I expected. I thought it was mainly a hanging/dangling plant but it is also interesting growing along the ground. It is a light yellow-green color that makes nice contrasts. Again, this is in partial sun but it get a good blast of sun in the afternoon and seems to be pretty hearty.

I have windows down to the counter (highly recommend!) and used Mocketts -- yes, it passed inspection in my jurisdiction. Counter-height windows thread (especially MamaDadaPaige & ErikaNH's windows): http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2484108/counter-height-window-pictures-please Mocketts: https://www.mockett.com/kitchen-bath-closet/kitchen-power/ . Edited to add: Well, Photobucket has really hurt us here on GW since they are now requiring you to pay a lot to be able to post a link to pictures - even if you did it years ago when it was allowed. It looks like we lost a lot of pictures on that thread, including both MamaDadaPaige and ErikaNH's pictures (and probably mine on a lot of threads for the same reason.) I will see if I saved them somewhere and post them on that thread if I find them.