Going organic is all the rage nowadays and not for nothing. Organic,means healthier, tastier vegetables and fruit, free from pesticides and the dreaded genetic modifications. With modern and innovative home gardening ideas, you an grow your own cost-effective garden without the need for a large garden space.
You can now grow your own organic vegetables whether you live in a city apartment or stand alone house with big or small garden - it’s possible! Here are some creative, simple steps to start your home garden, and have your organic vegetables, sprouting in no time:
Location, location location!
Finding the right location to grow your edibles is the very first step, as it can make or break your gardening endeavour. It means finding an area with as much sunlight as possible — most veggies require 6-8 hours of direct sunlight. In addition, avoid spots that are susceptible to strong winds, as this will threaten the stability of your plants and exacerbate plant dehydration. Lastly, find soil with good drainage because wet soil means wet roots and ofcourse healthier plants.
Get the right container
With limited space, container gardening is the holy grail to creating the edible garden your
landscape wouldn’t otherwise allow you,without compromising having a beautiful garden design.
Pots - For an apartment with a patio or balcony, pots are the sure way to utilize your space.It’s also work noting that the the size, material and colour of your container is vital to the success of your limited space garden. Choose sturdy and somewhat flexible containers and avoid thin, stiff ones — they become brittle with cold or age, bigger is always best..
Importantly, consider the size and shape of a plant's root system; whether it is a perennial, annual, or shrub; and how rapidly it grows. Rootbound plants, which have filled up every square inch of the soil available, dry out rapidly and won't grow well. Choose a large pot or tub for a mixed planting, one that will offer enough root space for all the plants you want to grow. Light-colored containers keep the soil cooler than dark containers.
Garden Trellis - Small garden or courtyard spaces, are smart candidates in which to set up a vegetable garden trellis, a brilliant way to make the most of the space by using vertical surfaces to grow crops up.Growing your crops vertically will not only make the most of the available space but will also help to protect them from slugs and other pests – they are also easier to care for.
Starter vegetables
You are just starting out on your parth to growing your own organic goodies, but the question is what to start with? The answer — begin with easy vegetables that are also productive, such as lettuce, green beans, tomatoes, carrots, peas, peppers and spinach to mention few, for better chances of success.
Useful tips to go by:
- Choose the vegetables that you or your family like to eat and start with those
- Use high quality seeds
- Don’t overplant, less is more!
- Be prepared to care for your plants throughout the growing season
Keep it hydrated
Poor irrigation is probably the No. 1 reason edible container gardens fail. Soil in containers dries out especially quickly, so check soil moisture frequently. In an especially sunny or windy location, this may even mean watering daily or twice a day. Avoid overwatering, though, as that can create fungus and root rot. Balance and consistency are key!
With these steps, you can guarantee yourself organic additions to your diet, save yourself a penny or two and also reduce those sometimes tedious trips to the supermarket — definitely worth a try!
