Being connected to nature helps improve your mental and emotional health. It’s a great way to relax, to feel at peace, and, of course, to breathe in fresh, clean air. While long walks in local parks and natural areas are an absolute must, you don’t actually have to go very far from home at all to start enjoying the benefits of nature. Regardless of whether you have a yard, a balcony, or none of the above, you can get started with your very own home garden.
The Type of Garden You Can Enjoy
The size and availability of space will make a big difference in terms of what kind of kitchen garden or vegetable garden you can build for yourself. If you have a large yard, you can easily subsection one area of it for your produce.
For those with small yards, consider using plant boxes to frame your property so that you can use your kitchen garden as part of your landscaping, or alternatively, use a vertical garden solution against your fence or wall. For balconies, use either balcony planters that hang off the edge of your balcony rail, vertical garden solutions that can be attached to the wall, or tiered pots and planters to give yourself ample gardening space and dining space outdoors.
Indoors you will need to be most creative. Windowsills and sunny corners are a great choice to start growing fruits, vegetables, herbs, or other plants in pots. If your apartment isn’t a south-facing unit, then you may want to look into grow lights. These will give you the chance to grow whatever you want, even in a dark, windowless room.
Getting Your Equipment
Deep planters are a must when growing fruits and vegetables, at least 40cm deep, so that the root system has a place to grow. For those growing in their backyard, you don’t need to worry about this, but it is a good idea to see what plants are natural anti-pest to grow alongside your plants. With the right combination, you can keep pests low without pesticides.
To start, however, a simple irrigation solution, deep pots, and trellises, if you are growing a vine plant, are a must.
Choosing Your First Plants
Growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs is very different than caring for a houseplant. That’s why it’s important to start small and work your way up. You can eventually work your way up to more delicate items, but for now, start with:
- Bell peppers
- Blackberries
- Raspberries
- Cabbage
- Cucumbers
- Garlic
- Herbs
You can find all the seeds you need from www.happyvalleyseeds.com.au. Follow the instructions and sow the seeds at the right time.
Have a Timeline
It’s always a great idea to have a timeline. You can write this out on your calendar or use an app if it helps so that you know where your plants should be at. Start with when to sow the seeds, when to expect sprouts, and, of course, when to harvest. When it comes to harvesting, your chosen method use will depend entirely on the plant. You might need to harvest the entire plant and then resow seeds to keep enjoying fresh produce. Otherwise, you can continue to take from the plant and let it continue to grow.