Gardening in a small space – How to start!
As Spring approaches you are inevitably thinking of all the new seeds you want to plant for your Spring garden. If you’re like me you’re eager to not only cultivate your own fresh produce but also want to add some beautiful flowers or aromatic herbs. Many of us live in small to medium sized homes with little room to spare, gardening in a small space doesn’t have to be challenging! Whether you have a spacious backyard or a compact apartment, with a bit of creativity and the right approach, you can enjoy the joys of gardening right at home.
- Assess your space
If you live in a compact apartment gardening in a small space will look different than someone who has a small 1-2 bedroom home with a tiny yard. Assess your current space and determine where you’d like to start! For example, if you have a small balcony in your apartment consider starting off with only 1-2 plants. For small homes you can find a windowsill that has good sunlight, use a patio if you are in a townhome or even a small corner indoors or on your kitchen counter. Contrary to what you see on social media you can start with a few small plants to get started. Gardening in a small space can also mean you have only one product that grows a variety of crops (check out hydroponic set ups).
2. Choose suitable plants
It’s tempting to try and grow everything at once however it is recommended to start with a few select plants first. If you are growing vegetables grow something you typically consume rather than a crop you’ve never tried before. Sunlight or light exposure is also very important, for areas with limited sunlight opt for shade-tolerant herbs like mint or parsley. For sunny spots try small tomatoes, peppers or even basil. If you’re interested in growing flowers indoors you can try marigolds or petunias to add a pop of color and beauty in your small space. Gardening in a small space allows us to make the best use of our creativity and space you can opt for a hydroponic plantar to start and can easily put it in your kitchen!
3. Containers
Container gardening is the go-to when it comes to gardening in a small space! Gardening in a small space means you can also grow vertically! If you do not have a patio or yard you can still grow different varieties in containers. Choose pots or containers that are appropriate for the size of the plants you’re growing. Ensure that the containers you choose have drainage holes to prevent waterlogging, you can also drill holes in plastic containers if you feel it needs more holes. If you need to move your containers around to catch sufficient sunlight you can purchase plant caddies for each container.
4. Soil, fertilizer and watering
Whether you choose organic or regular soil from the store ensure you have high-quality potting soil for your container plants. Any soil you choose should be well-draining and nutrient-rich. Fertilizer isn’t always necessary but it might help your plant grow, organic fertilizers can help your plant receive essential nutrients for healthy growth. Proper watering is crucial for the success of your plants! It’s easy to overwater plants so check the moisture level of the soil regularly and water when the top inch feels dry. You can also poke your finger to feel if the soil underneath is dry. Another gardening in a small space trick is to grab a small container and feel its weight. If a small container feels extremely heavy it may be that it has to much water already inside it. Overwatering can lead to root rot and gnats!
5. Lighting and maintenance
There are many choices when it comes to finding good lighting for growing in a small space. Ferry Morse is a company that provides lots of options for beginners in terms of lighting or seed starting kits. Equipment for growing can come at a high cost, don’t feel pressured to buy the most expensive lights or set ups. A small grow light or purple light can be a good start for certain plants. If you want to invest in at least one great set of lights consider LED lights. LED grow lights are energy-efficient and provide the full spectrum of light that plants need for photosynthesis.
Creating a small grow space is not only a practical way to grow your own food or beautify your surroundings but also a therapeutic and fulfilling hobby. Gardening in a small space can easily be changed to fit your lifestyle. If you are on a limited budget feel free to use things you already have inside your home. Since your indoor plants won’t be fighting the weather changes you can use containers that normally can’t be left outside. Gardening in a small space provides us the opportunity to be creative. Vertical planting is increasing in popularity, you can plant several crops into the same space that normally would require more than one container. Don’t let your limited space stop you from creating the garden of your dreams. Growing in a small space is common and budget friendly, you can experiment various times without losing a significant amount of money. With a bit of care and attention you can transform even the smallest space into a flourishing garden.
Helpful tools to use:
Like what you’re reading? Are you ready to take it to the next level?! You can do so with our free, downloadable guide! Click here to get your copy now and start your garden today.
