Has the summer passed without you taking advantage of your terrace or balcony to grow your own food as you had thought? Don't let another year pass and learn everything you need to know growing in small spaces with our beginner's guide to urban gardening.
If you want to grow some food at home to complete your weekly menu, experimenting is the best way to learn and with a few tips like the ones we share with you today, you can get started! Not only will you be aware of what to eat, but it will become a exciting project for both young and old.
Look at your terrace and choose the best orientation for your plants
Know the orientation of the terrace and hours of sunshine of each of its zones, as well as being aware of the shade generated by buildings, trees, etc. will allow you to decide where to place those crops that are more demanding in terms of hours of light or those that seek some shade. And not all plants require the same conditions to develop properly.
Pots of peppers, tomatoes and beans, for example, enjoy a lot of sun, needing at least 6 hours of direct light. Others, such as lettuce, carrots or herbs, on the other hand, can develop optimally with 4 hours of direct light. And to ensure these necessary hours of sun, the ideal is that the corner you choose to place your garden has a south or southwest orientation.
Grow tables or pots? Choose the right container
There is no single “ideal” container for growing your plants and you will need to take into account when choosing them. both the space on your terrace and the investment that you are willing to do. Growing tables are very comfortable surfaces because they allow you to work at height, but they require a significant investment. Pots, on the other hand, are more economical and flexible, since you can combine them in different ways and hang themThis will reduce the space needed for these, which is essential for growing in small spaces.
More important than the type of container you choose will be the size of this, as each crop will have its own requirements. Tomatoes, peppers and aubergines, for example, require containers of at least 16 litres, while carrots, radishes and garlic can be grown in a container of just 1 litre.
The importance of a good substrate
A good substrate is key for the plant's roots to develop properly and for the plant to grow healthy. An "always" correct choice is combine coconut fiber and compost or worm humus. Coconut fiber is light, provides air and retains water; compost and especially earthworm humus, in particular, is rich in nutrients, so much so that it can be used as a fertilizer at the change of season. Whatever substrate you choose, add it on a layer of one or two centimetres of gravel at the bottom of the container to prevent waterlogging in case of over-watering.
Choosing plants for beginners
If this is your first experience, Choose simple plantsLettuces, green leafy vegetables and aromatic plants such as rosemary, basil and mint are easy to grow. After gaining experience, you can go a step further and try cherry tomatoes, peppers or aubergines.
Dare to create your own compost
If you are looking for a natural, organic and economical way to feed your crops, consider creating your own compost. This can be produced by decomposition of organic remains produced in your home such as coffee or tea grounds, eggshells, fruits, vegetables, non-coloured newspapers, expired yoghurts, kitchen paper, dressing oil... as well as clippings and leaves collected when pruning and cleaning plants.
Today there are home composters with appropriate sizes to be installed on a balcony, in a place where the humidity and temperature conditions are suitable for the process. Are you encouraged to create your own compost? By doing so
- You will take advantage of organic matter generated in your home, recycling it and returning it to the earth to feed the plants.
- You will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Home composting emits 5 times less greenhouse gases than industrial composting to treat the same amount of kitchen and garden waste.
- You will reduce the expense on subscriptions and chemical fertilizers.
- You will promote the nutrition of the earth avoiding erosion and wear caused by the use of petrochemical products.
Would you now be encouraged to grow your own food in small spaces such as your balcony or terrace?