Sorry about your "encouraged" downsizing. We, too, had to leave our home (of twenty years; we were just renting, but it felt like our own) because our landlord passed away. And it was only through prayer we were able to find somewhere to live that would take us and our two adult children, two big dogs, two cats (and a water turtle) at a price we could actually afford. It's a small area to live in comparatively (and it's not ours, the LL lives on the main floor), but we were able to acquire a small parcel of land from him to plant our very first vegetable garden (depicted, 8-1-12). So I couldn't be more pleased about that, and your "little" herb garden might very well grow to cover your balcony, and then some. Good luck! It's amazing what can be placed in containers, up trellises, and beyond. :)