Growing vegetables doesn’t need acres and acres of space, and there are lots of ways to create more space in a small garden.
Take a look at our tips and ideas for making the most of your space for growing delicious vegetables.
Going vertical is the answer for many with small gardens. Simply fix planters in rows on your exterior wall, fence, or on the side of your cabin whether they are just tin cans, or special planters designed for it, and you have the easiest vertical garden known to man. Do make sure that the vegetables you’re planting don’t need deep roots or lots of space, because this type of gardening is not suitable for them.
The concept of square foot gardening is essentially planting a variety of plants in a small space. 4ft by 4ft is all you really need for a range of vegetables. You will have to buy or build the raised beds and the soil, but if you put in the work, you will be rewarded with loads of great vegetables!
How to:
- Build a box with untreated wood
- Fill it with soil
- Add a grid with string or wood (this is what makes your raised bed a square foot garden) and start planning!
- Use seed packets to find how much space your chosen plants need, and place them accordingly.
Raised bed gardens have lots of benefits even if you don’t do the square foot bit. It prevents grass growing in your garden space, gardening is easier on your back and there’s no wasted space.
You can save money by using soil from a path and using bark or gravel to pave your paths.
Plants in raised beds can suffer more quickly from drought because they have better drainage, so you’ll need to keep an eye on water needs.
A variation on the raised garden is to grow vegetables in containers. From wine crates to growbags, there are lots of vegetables that are suitable for container gardening, including beetroot, carrots, herbs, peas, salad leaves and much more.
However, if your container is too small it can result in a lack of moisture and nutrients. Ideally, a container will have a depth and width of at least 45cm. You’ll need to look after these plants very carefully, as they will need a regular water supply.
If you don’t have a shed, then it’s time to get one. There are lots of styles, and some can even be rather pretty. They can be invaluable in starting off your plants inside somewhere a little warmer to encourage them to grow. You can use the walls for vertical gardening, making a garden building doubly useful. Organize it properly, and you’ll have a haven for all your gardening needs too.
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