Growing our own vegetables and spices is a timely idea. However, it can be overwhelming when thinking of how much space is needed to grow our own garden. Especially, if you live in an urban area where space is limited, you may have more questions than answers.
If you’re also looking to grow a garden with less space to spare, we have some tips to help you get started.
Choose small plants
Growing in and around your home is easily manageable with plants that fit a small space as they grow. Consider planting chilli, tomato, ginger, spring onions, gotukola, okra, capsicum etc.
They don’t grow overly large, yet they can help enrich your meal.
Try innovative plots
No space to grow on the ground? Let's make maximum use of available space!
The windowsill and the balcony are excellent places to keep a few plant pots; they get ample sunlight, and it is convenient to water and care for them.
If a horizontal soil bed is difficult to accommodate, you can always go vertical! With little time and effort, you can prepare a hanging plant container with gurney bags or DIY a stacked garden with an old bookshelf.
Go soil-less!
One of the biggest challenges to urban home gardeners is finding healthy soil to plant. However, that’s not a reason to be discouraged.
Hydroponics or soilless cultivation is growing plants on water, without soil. We only need to provide a supportive frame for the plant and add nutrients to the water base when required.
Pace your crops
When choosing plants, consider the time they take to yield. For example, plants like radish, spinach, and lettuce can be harvested within a few weeks, but plants like chilli, tomato and okra take one or more months to bear harvest.
If you plant according to the yield time with a mix of fast- and slower-yielding plants, you will always have something to harvest!
Learn and grow!
If you are a newbie to gardening, here are some ways you can find more information.
Department of Agriculture offers Agriculture Advisory Services via hotline 1920. They can offer advice or guide you in the right direction.
Online content shares countless ideas for urban home gardening. Consume the relevant ideas and start growing!
As your little home garden grows, you will find joy nurturing your plants and enriching your meals with its harvest, despite the concern of limited space.
