- #1 – Create a planter
- #2 – Find an installation area in your small space
- #3 – Prepare the planters in your small space
- #4 – Blend your soil
- #5 – Maintain your plants throughout the season
Growing your own food in a small space is not always possible even though it is a trend that many people are following.
It has a positive impact on the environment and encourages a healthier lifestyle. Organic food is much better for our bodies and it is satisfying to eat something that you’ve grown yourself!
Another advantage is that it is cheaper than buying food at the supermarket.
It might be something that you’ve thought of for a while but simply can’t find the space to plant anything. Here are a few tips for growing your own food in a small space.
#1 – Create a planter
Planters can be made out of almost anything! Creating planters are a great way to recycle everyday items and reuse them.
Tires are perfect for creating hanging planters or for stacking planters on top of each other.
Cinder blocks are easy to upcycle into planters but these may cost you a buck or two if you don’t have any lying around. Then, of course, you can cut open milk containers, slap a fresh coat of paint on, and place them in your home.
#2 – Find an installation area when growing your own food
As soon as you have your materials, you need to find the perfect spot for your little garden.
If you are growing vegetables and flowers, find a place where there are at least 6 hours of sun during the day. If you are growing herbs and salad plants, then shadier spots will work better.
Larger vegetable plants can be planted in stacked planters, like tires or cinder blocks because they provide more depth.
Smaller containers work better for herbs, salad plants, and succulents.
#3 – Prepare the planters when growing your own food
Before you start planting your plants, you need to prepare your planters. If you use pallets, you might have to remove nails and sand them down.
You have to clean the cinder blocks and the tires before you bring them into your home. The last thing you want to do is clean your house after you’ve been gardening the whole day.
If you are using milk containers, you can drill or cut drainage holes inside them. You can also cut holes if you are planning on hanging them up.
#4 – Blend your soil
Soil plays a huge role in the success of your plants. If your soil is off, your plants won’t grow as well as they should.
When using planters, the soil mixture is going to be different to when you plant in the garden. You will need substances that both aerate and hydrate the base soil.
The soil you buy off the shelf works fine, but it might cost you a lot. This won’t work if you are planting on a budget.
You can mix your own soil by adding two parts topsoil, one part sifted compost, and a quarter part coconut husk fibre.
#5 – Maintain your plants throughout the season
When you’ve hung or placed your plants, don’t forget to maintain them throughout the season.
Rubber generally retains more water, so you can water hanging tires a few times a week if it is very hot. Check the soil with your hands: you want it to be damp but not flooded.
Consider burying a drip irrigation system in pallets and connect it to the hose pipe. This will ensure that the plants are watered evenly. It is not difficult to plant your own food in a small space.
