Not everyone has a lot of space in which to grow their own food.
Growing your own food is no longer just for homesteaders. Even people living in small apartments can grow a lot of their own fruits and vegetables if they have a balcony, patio or several windowsills with good sun exposure. Growing your own food is rewarding as it gets you in tune with nature and the seasons, while also easing the strain on your pocketbook by reducing your grocery bill. Plus, there is nothing quite like eating a salad chock full of fruits and vegetables you grew yourself. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Determine the space you have to dedicate to growing your own food. Small spaces include patios, balconies or even a small yard. Note if the area is sunny, in partial shade or full shade, as this will determine what kind of food you will be able to grow viably in the space.
2. Make a list of the kinds of fruits and vegetables you would like to grow. Note that most fruits and vegetables, like strawberries, tomatoes, lettuces and kale, require at least partial sun exposure, if not full sun. If your small space is in full shade, you will be limited to what will grow well there to some leafy greens like spinach, kale, mustard and most lettuces.
3. Prepare the area for planting. If it is a small yard, thoroughly rake the dirt to loosen the topsoil. If you will be container gardening, select your pots or containers and designate which plants will go in what size container, as well as where they will reside in your small space. Most vegetables prefer roomy containers, so a clay pot with 3 to 6 inches of organic potting soil around the root structure will provide plenty of space to grow and absorb both nutrients and water.
4. Design a plan for the garden according to the fruits and vegetables you are growing. Map out areas of sun, partial shade and full shade, since that will determine what plants can go in those areas. Make the most of your space by creating beneficial pairings, such as placing taller plants requiring full sun next to shorter plants requiring light shade (the taller plant will provide the shade). It is important to note that some plants do not grow well together, while others are mutually beneficial. For example, competing strong fragrances can be problematic, so planting strawberries and garlic next to each other may not be a good idea. However, growing beans and corn next to each other is an excellent pairing since the corn provides beans a stalk to climb and the bean harvest leaves nitrogen in the soil to fertilize the corn.
5. Go to your local nursery or home improvement store to purchase the seeds or plants you desire with the light exposure of your space in mind. Make sure to keep the nursery label with each plant's planting and care instructions.
6. Plant the vegetables and fruit according to your garden design with organic potting soil in your small space. Follow the nursery's instructions in planting each variety of fruit and vegetable as needs vary widely according to genus and species.
7. Water your plants regularly, whenever the top inch of the soil is dry to the touch. Fertilize with the irrigation once a month or so with organic food grade fertilizer.
8. Harvest your homegrown food from your small space garden regularly according to the nursery tag instructions, since sustainable harvesting varies greatly between species of fruits and vegetables. Lettuce and kale should be ready to harvest within two months, while plants like tomatoes and strawberries will take at least a full season before a viable crop will be available.
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