When you think of a garden, you will come across visions of vast areas filled with a variety of plants. Whether it is flowers, fruits or vegetables, or any other kind of plant or shrub, it seems that a prerequisite for a successful gardening venture is ample space.
However, for city-dwellers and families that only have a small area in their homes, gardening may seem like a challenge. Luckily, this guide will equip you with tips and tricks on how you can start small scale gardening.
Start Gardening in a Very Small Way
Whether you are in one of these apartments for rent in Miami or a house with a patio, you’ll have to take small steps for you to start gardening. It would help if your condominium has a small balcony that you can utilize, and if you’re on the market for a condo, check here so you can know immediately if you will have enough space for a small garden.
You can purchase seeds that are suitable to grow in a pot and have two different varieties grow. For example, have one pot intended for a cherry tomato while another for cilantro. Instead of directly planting these in your garden soil (if the space warrants) grow them in pots first and see how it goes.
Grow Plants You’re Fond Of
Growing out several plants at once can be tempting, especially if you’re starting out with your gardening journey. However, if you have minimal to zero experience of small scale gardening or gardening for that matter, you’ll have a hard time attending to it all. To optimize your effectiveness, grow only the plants that you want first.
If you are a great home cook, having a few cilantro at bay can help. So, grow these first. Or, if you are a spice connoisseur, then having some hot pepper will probably stimulate you to take care of it until it is ready to harvest.
Place Plants in Adequate Sunlight
Plants need sunlight for photosynthesis. It is a plant’s process of absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen as an exchange. Most plants, whether it is a flowering or fruit-bearing one, need a maximum of eight hours’ worth of direct sunlight.
Since you’re going for small scale gardening, you can have two pots of plants seated by your window sills to be nourished daily. Unlike traditional gardening, where you’ll need to cultivate an area where the sun directly hits the soil, small scale gardening encourages plants’ transfer ability.
Weather Protection
Having a place of adequate sunlight is excellent for your plants to grow. However, when the rain comes down and your plant is too small to handle an excessive downpour of water, it’s going to need some cover. If you intend to place your plants on your patio, you can rely on contractors such as City Seamless Patio Covers for the installation of shade and weather protection for your plants and outdoor area.
Get to Know Your Plants and What They Need
It’s okay to have no idea on how to grow your chosen plant, and how to get started with small scale gardening. If you consider yourself a novice, a little research can help you along the way. Most of the time, the packaging of the seeds contains an instruction guide.
Having a Great Soil Suitable for Growing Plants
Since small scale gardening utilizes pots more than traditional gardening, purchasing a potting mix from your nearby hardware or gardening store helps. The composition of average garden soil may not be suitable for a pot as it can easily compact itself, preventing water from flowing and absolutely no space for air.
Consistent Watering Schedule
Last but not least, your plants need water. If possible, research how much water your specific plant needs to avoid the possibility of drowning your plant from it. In addition, check on how many times you need to water a plant as others tend to need more.
Last but not least, never forget to enjoy the process. Gardening is a very calming and rewarding hobby or task to enjoy every day. Since you’re starting small, focus on one plant and grow several more once you master the art and dedication you have to invest for a fruitful season.