Not every
homesteader has a lot of wide, open space in which to grow food, and if you’re
someone who has a limited amount of garden space, then obviously you want to
make the very most out of your available ground.
A huge factor in your success
will be picking which veggies grow best in smaller spaces.
“Every
year, seed catalogs feature an expanding selection of vegetables, including
many that are chosen specifically for their compact nature,” says Gardener’s
Supply Co. “While many gardeners value productivity and flavor, small-space
gardeners also look for plants that have ornamental qualities and longevity.”
“Don’t
let limited outdoor space prevent you from trying out your green thumb. From
tasty fruits and veggies to flowering plants, trees and shrubs, container
gardening is the trick to growing it all in less space than you may think.”
Dr. Joseph
Mercola notes that one of the advantages to growing
in a small space is that your garden can be completely organic, whereas food
plots that are acres in size often require the use of herbicides and other
chemicals that are not good for you, your plants or the environment.
“Whereas
a conventionally-grown garden might include the use of chemical fertilizers and
potentially toxic insecticides to protect the crop, an organic gardener will
forgo the chemicals and feed the soil with natural fertilizers and insect
barriers,” he says. “The same goes for weed control.”
Here are some
of the best plants for small spaces, helping you make the most of every inch of
soil you have:
Basil
Sweet basil is
a favorite among garden growers because its aromatic leaves add great flavor to
pesto, salad dressings and much more. Plus, there are over 80 varieties,
including a few “miniature” types that are ideal for smaller gardens. There is
even a variety – Pistou – for planters and window boxes. And they grow easily
from seeds.
“Basil is a
wonderful addition to a container garden. It thrives in well-drained soil,
positioned in a sunny window. In the garden, plant basil among your tomatoes.
It’s a one-stop shop for your next caprese salad,” notes TheKitchn.com.
Depending on
the variety, basil grows anywhere from 12 to 24 inches in height. Planting
basil among plants with similar watering and sunlight needs, like tomatoes (see
below), is best. Another good feature: Basil is a “harvest as you need” herb;
you can take what you want, when you want, or mass-harvest it.
“It’s always
better to harvest basil before the plant flowers. If you don’t have time to
harvest any leaves, just pinch off the flowering portion,” TheKitchn.com notes further. “The flowers are
actually edible, but if you pinch them off, the plant can now direct its energy
on growing tasty leaves. Also be sure to only harvest up to 2/3 of the entire
plant, so it can continue producing.”
Hot Peppers
Hot peppers
are the ultimate ornamental edible for window boxes and compact gardens. The
plants are ornamental and the fruit is long-lasting. They can grow to about
30-36″, which makes them a little big for a window box, but alright for larger
containers and, of course, small gardens.
There are a
number of varieties that grow well in small spaces and are very prolific, such as this
one.
Tomatoes
Cherry
tomatoes are much more compact and very tasty, of course, but there are some
varieties that were bred for small spaces. For instance, Cherry Cascade grows happily in a hanging basket and
produces hundreds of tomatoes. Fruit ranges from the size of a larger marble to
a golf ball.
These need a
lot of sun – as much as eight hours a day – and will likely need some support,
like a cage. Check out more growing information here.
Lettuce
This versatile
veggie comes in a range of varieties, which makes it perfect for smaller
spaces. Typically, lettuce grows from seed to salad in about 45 days, so plan
to either harvest a little at a time or have a follow-on crop to fill in the
gap.
Pole Beans
One great way
to make the most of a little space is to grow vertically, and pole beans fit
this nicely.
“Pole beans
yield two to three times more than bush beans from the same space, are easier
to harvest, and many gardeners believe they are better tasting,” says Cornell University. “Both types have
similar requirements, except pole beans need a 5- to 8-foot-tall support, [and
they] can provide strong background or vertical element in flower garden.”
These are easy
to care for and can grow to heights of five-to-ten feet, though they’ll need
support as they grow, like a pole (of course!) or a trellis. They will bloom
from mid-to-late summer, and need only 1-to-2 feet of diameter to grow.
Source:
natural.new
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