It is not necessary that only a garden stretched in acres will yield fresh and healthy vegetables. Many a times, home gardeners prefer downsizing their vegetable garden to small spaces. Easy maintenance and good productivity are the keywords that best describe a small-space vegetable garden. All you need to consider while setting a small-spaced vegetable garden are some vital factors like adequate sunshine, regular water and a good quality soil. The popularity of such compact gardens has even led plant breeders to develop vegetable varieties that can be easily grown in smaller areas. In the following lines, we have provided information on growing vegetables in a small garden.
Vegetable Gardening in a Small Space0
Beds
If there is limited space available for a garden in your home, you can simply raise a plant bed in your backyard. A raised-bed garden is easy to maintain as compared to an in-ground vegetable garden. You can also easily manage its size and determine the quality of soil that you would like to use. Once you are done with selecting the area and preparing the bed, plant a few of your favorite vegetables there. See that the garden receives proper sunlight. Water the plants regularly and add regular fertilizers to boost productivity.
Containers
If you do not have space available for raising a bed, you can consider setting a container garden. Select a portable container, with a good drainage system. Fill it with good potting soil and set multiple plants of your choice in it. Ensure that you water the plants and fertilize it properly. Place the container in a porch or a patio, where it receives the required amount of sunlight. You can even go for theme container gardening, by planting an assortment of vegetables that reflect a particular theme or flavor.
Intercropping or Inter-planting
This method involves planting two different vegetables in the same space, one fast-maturing than the other. For instance, vegetables like radish can be planted along with celery. In this case, the radishes can be harvested before the celery takes any space. Likewise, vegetables like lettuce can be placed between slow maturing crops. Do not forget to sprinkle a liquid fertilizer of mulch with compost to the second crop, once the fast-maturing vegetables have been harvested.
Bags
Grow bags are ideal for growing vegetables like tomatoes. Cut a hole or a series of holes in the top of the bag and plant away. Place polystyrene foam underneath the bag in case you place it on a cold concrete ground. It will help to raise the temperature of the soil. In order to regulate the moisture content of the plant, water it regularly. Grow bags can be used to pot different varieties of vegetables, like cherry tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce and French beans. You can also use window boxes to grow small vegetables or a rubbish bag to grow vegetables like sweet potatoes.
