Prelude to Small Space Gardening

Growing your own vegetables can be a fun, relaxing and most of all – a rewarding hobby. And you don’t have to be a horti-friggin-culturalist to start your very own veggie garden, practically anyone with a pair of hands and a brain can do it. You just do a little homework and some careful planning before you build your garden, get some seeds, start planting, and you will see the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor in no time.

Despite what many people think, you don’t really need to live in a 100 acre mansion in the lush countryside of Bordeaux to start your own garden. You can do a lot with very limited space. In fact, small space gardening has become a popular trend in today’s urban society. All you need is a small yard or a balcony to create a great garden.

At first you need to decide what you’re going to plant. My advice is not to get too excited and plant more than you can handle. It is best to start slow and consider how many vegetables you actually eat on average. Have in mind that some plants, such as tomatoes or peppers, keep providing throughout the season while others, such as carrots or cor, only produce once. This means that you should plant less of the first type and few of the second. Whichever vegetables you decide to plant, always choose heirloom seeds if you want to experience the rich taste of real food.

Once you decide what you are going to plant, it is time to plan out your space. For small space gardening you need to use your available space efficiently. Some vegetables require a lot of pace in order to thrive, and also require a lot more time and energy. You will find that vegetables that require much less space are also easier to take care for. You can plant them in containers on your balcony, on a 10×10 plot in your back yard, or on raised beds which are the perfect choice for beginners since they are more manageable. Another way to make an efficient use of your space is trellising. This means growing as many crops as possible on vertical supports. Many vining vegetables that are commonly trellised are cucumbers, tomatoes, types of pas and beans, and so on.

Next you need to make sure that the spot you choose for your garden gets enough sunshine. Also your soil needs to be rich in nutrients and try to use organic fertilizers to feed the soil. You must also keep the moisture at the level required by regularly watering your garden. And of course, don’t forge to pull out those pesky weeds before they mature.

Before you know it, you will be harvesting your produce and enjoying them every day with your family and friends.