Your urban garden at home is easy and accessible
Thereare many who have succumbed to this green wave that has turned indoor plants into the protagonists of decoration. Whether it's because they've learned their many benefits or because there's now a little more time to take care of them, many of us have filled our lives with plants. But there is another facet to this movement: that of urban gardens. It's about transcending the aesthetic aspect of plants and starting to take advantage of them for their function as well. Believe it or not, it is possible to grow aromatic herbs and even vegetables at home. Forget about complications, now having an urban grow is much easier and more accessible than ever.
Why have a vegetable garden at home?
The first time urban gardens became popular was not out of taste but out of necessity. During World War II, when it was impossible to depend on food imports, the creation of urban crops, known as Victory Gardens, was promoted in the United States and the United Kingdom. These small gardens managed to produce up to 40% of the vegetables consumed in North America.
In developing countries, home gardens are essential for obtaining vegetables and fruits that become a fundamental part of the diet. In fact, the UN states that one of the fundamental steps to eradicate hunger in the world is to abandon the model of food production on an industrial scale and start thinking about local, ecological and sustainable development through urban gardens.
Although we are not in the objective need to grow what we eat because we have the privilege of being able to go to the supermarket to look for what we want, it is a sustainable and ecological alternative to be able to sow and consume certain herbs or vegetables. Germinating the seeds, caring for the first shoots, seeing the plants believe, harvesting and then using in the kitchen offers us a unique way of relating to food, to what we eat. If you are on a quest to reconnect with nature, to consume real food and reconcile with food, an urban garden is just what you need.
Benefits of an urban garden
- Promotes healthy and natural eating throughout the family. Home-grown foods taste more delicious and fresh, so you'll feel more motivated to incorporate them into your diet.
- You save some money. It may be a few euros, but if you have your own basil plant, you don't have to worry about buying it to dress your dishes.
- You gain new knowledge about the nature and cycle of plants. If you have children, this is the perfect opportunity for them to absorb important lessons about plants first-hand, otherwise you will be acquiring valuable knowledge yourself.
- Improve your relationship with food. Many of today's eating problems (including overeating) stem from a distant relationship with food. We are not involved in the production process and sometimes not even in the preparation, so we perceive them as just another object of consumption. By planting and producing some vegetables you become part of the cycle and it will help you heal that aspect, by understanding it as a process.
- Increase the number of green areas. In cities, more greenery is needed, so having a portion of your terrace, balcony or window for your edible garden is supporting this initiative.
- You reduce your carbon footprint. If there's something really organic, it's local consumption, and you don't have to leave home to consume your harvest.
- You eat organic. No pesticides, no harmful chemicals. Your veggies will be risk-free, it couldn't be more organic.
What if I don't have space?
When you have a small patio or garden it is very easy to think and plan an urban garden, but if you live in an apartment where there is a tiny balcony, a terrace or only a window you do not have to deprive yourself of the pleasure of planting your edible garden. Well, there are tricks and strategies to take advantage of every nook and cranny to plant bulbs and seeds.
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Depending on what you have in mind and how far you want to take your idea of the urban garden, but even with one square meter you can plant up to 16 types of vegetables, if you divide the land into small squares and use vertical structures. You may not want such extensive cultivation, especially if you're just starting out in edible gardens, but the important thing to know is that space is not a limitation.
You can use hanging planters, shelves with planters, and you can even make recycled planters out of plastic containers or buckets. The important thing here is to use a pot suitable for what you are going to plant. A crop like tomatoes, for example, requires a much deeper pot than a lettuce pot, which is a plant that spreads upwards and doesn't have as deep roots. You can create a small vegetable and/or herb garden virtually anywhere as long as you follow a few rules that will ensure the success of your harvest.
What do you need to make a Mucho Sol urban garden
?
All vegetables and herbs require at least 6 hours of sun daily. If you have a space where there is direct sun, that is the perfect place, although it is not necessary. The important thing is that there is enough light. In case you don't have enough, then don't worry that technology is there to help you, you just have to get a UV lamp and the matter is solved.
A water fountain
It's not essential, but it can make watering easier. Maybe I prefer to water with care and not like a beast with a hose, especially if the garden is on a balcony or window. You can use a beautiful watering can to give your vegetables the water they need. It all depends on what you're growing.
Good drainage system
You should know that you are going to water your small vegetable garden regularly, so everything should be prepared to get rid of the excess water that will come out of the pots. The space should have a way to drain the water and, if not, you can install trays that retain these excesses, although you should empty them regularly if they are in contact with the bottom of the pots, as the accumulated moisture can affect the roots.
Plan the space
You must plan what you are going to plant, but above all you must take into account the environmental conditions, the temperature, the time of year, the space you have, and prepare for it. Nowadays it is easy to get complete grow sets, which are perfect for people who do not have much experience with this type of plant, because they are almost always easy to care for.
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Find your tools and supplies
Don't make the same mistake as me, who got excited and bought a bunch of seeds and had no idea where or how I was going to plant them. Remember to make a list of everything you need, including pots, substrate, organic fertilizer and of course the seeds. Don't forget tools and items such as UV lamps or watering cans.
seeds
It sounds silly, but many people are torn between buying seeds or using the ones they get from vegetables or fruits. My advice is to buy seeds directly and these are carefully selected to germinate and bear fruit, whereas if you use the seeds of a tomato, for example, that you have bought in the supermarket there is no guarantee that they will sprout or that they will have the same quality as the seeds purchased. It's better to avoid the bad time and play it safe.
What to plant in your first vegetable garden
Aromatic herbs
Aromatic herbs are perfect for beginners, as you can have them in any pot as they do not require too much substrate and little fertilizer. In fact, most prefer poor soils to produce more palatable plants. If you're one of those forgetful people who never remember when to water, plant rosemary, oregano, sage, or thyme. If you want parsley, coriander, basil, mint or spearmint you will have to water a little more. Mint and peppermint should be planted alone because they are very invasive. Basil is an annual, which completes its cycle and dies; To avoid this, you should cut the flowers as soon as they begin to appear. That way you'll have it all year round. Rosemary and oregano are almost immortal. Chamomile prefers indirect light and frequent watering.
Radishes
Radishes are great because they grow so fast. In fact, as soon as you sow the seeds, it takes less than a week to see the first sprouts. You'll be able to harvest them in about a month, you'll know when to do it because you see them poking out a little bit in the ground. As for watering, they prefer more or less frequent watering and organic fertilizer mixed in the substrate. Of course, they require direct and abundant sun.
lettuce
Lettuce, arugula, and similar salad leaves are fantastic, as they are a quick crop and don't require too much space or deep pots. You can have several and cut the leaves as you need them. They require a lot of humidity and you have to be careful if you have them in full sun, because they burn easily if they are not well watered.
Cherry tomatoes
Small tomatoes do require a slightly deeper pot (at least 20 liters) but you can take advantage of it if you combine it with some radishes, for example. They grow very fast, they don't require too much care. There are those who don't use stakes, but you may require them, depending on the development of your plant. Watering is about a couple of times a week, the soil should be moist but not soggy. If you water a little, the skin of the tomato comes out thick and hard, so you must pay attention to this detail to obtain tasty fruits.
watermelon
Believe it or not, it is possible to plant watermelons in pots successfully. It's creeping in growth, so you can take advantage of this feature to turn it into a climber. You need a pot that is about 30 cm in diameter and at least 15 cm deep. You can tangle their buds as they grow on balcony railings, for example, or put stakes on them that can handle the weight of the fruits. Requires medium watering, mild fertilizer can be in full sun. It takes about 3 months to complete its cycle, but it's worth the wait to harvest some delicious and very juicy watermelons.
carrot
You can sow it all year round, using 2-litre pots that are taller than they are wide. There you can have up to 3 carrots. You sow several seeds, pull out the weakest shoots and leave the 3 largest. The substrate should be loose, cool, and light. Watering is moderate, the soil should always be moist but not waterlogged. It prefers abundant, direct sun. They take a while to grow, but I assure you that you will never eat a tastier carrot than one harvested by yourself.
chive
It spreads a lot, grows in droves and will be a fantastic addition to your kitchen. They prefer substrates rich in organic matter and humus. Try to keep them moist, although they are not too picky about this. They do not require deep pots because their roots are very shallow. You can have them in semi shade. Cut the flowers to make it look like a perennial. You can use its green leaves regularly, as they will keep growing non-stop.
Peppers and chili peppers
Peppers are one of my favorites, because not only are they easy to grow, but they look very cute with their fruits. They require a more or less large pot, about 30 cm in diameter. The watering of peppers is rather frequent, as the beauty of their fruits depends on it. They need plenty of sun, about 6 hours a day. It takes about 60 to 90 days to produce its first harvest. A word of advice: germinate the seeds first before putting them in the pot, so you can choose the seedlings that look the strongest and healthiest.