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Vertical Gardening

Container Gardening for Beginners: How to Grow Fruits and Vegetables in Pots

by Donna March 23, 2021

written by Donna 3 minutes read

Container Gardening: A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Fruits and Vegetables in Pots

Introduction

In the past, growing your own food required a large outdoor space. But nowadays, thanks to patio fruit trees and dwarf vegetables, you can enjoy fresh produce even if you only have a small balcony or apartment. These compact plants are perfect for container gardening, making it possible to grow your own food year-round.

Tips for Growing Fruits and Vegetables in Containers

Provide adequate sunlight. Most fruits and vegetables need plenty of light to flower and produce fruit. If possible, move your container plants outdoors in the summer.
Choose the correct container. The pot should be big enough to give the plant’s roots room to grow. It should also have drainage holes to prevent the soil from becoming waterlogged.
Water and feed regularly. Container plants have limited access to resources, so they need to be watered and fertilized more often than plants in the ground.
Protect patio garden plants. Container plants are more susceptible to weather damage, so it’s important to protect them from frost, high winds, and extreme temperatures.

Choosing Small Garden Plants for Containers

One of the most important factors in successful container gardening is choosing the right varieties of fruits and vegetables. Many popular fruits and vegetables have dwarf-sized varieties that are well-suited for growing in pots.

Fruits:

Apple (Grafted on dwarf root stock): Cox, Fugi, Gala, Pink Lady
Apricot: Pixie-Cox
Avocado
Blackberry: Baby Cakes
Blueberry: Blueberry Glaze, Pink Icing
Calamondin Orange
Cherry: Lapins, Nanking, Northstar, Stella, Sunburst
Cucamelon
Figs: Corky’s Honey Delight
Goji: Sweet Lifeberry
Key Lime
Meyer Lemon
Peach: Bonfire, Contender, Pix Zee
Pomegranate
Raspberry: Raspberry Shortcake
Scallopini Squash
Strawberry: Seascape
Tomatoes: Geranium Kiss, Micro Tom, Patio Choice, Sun Gold, Terenzo

Vegetables:

Artichoke
Broccolini: Aspabroc
Carrots: Little Fingers, Parisian
Celery: Peppermint Stick
Cucumber: Spacemaster 80
Eggplants: Casper, Little Finger, Round Mauve
Green Beans: Haricot Verts
Peppers: Hungarian Cheese
Peas: Tom Thumb

Benefits of Container Gardening

Space-saving: Container gardening is a great way to grow your own food even if you have limited space.
Versatility: You can grow a wide variety of fruits and vegetables in containers, so you can customize your garden to your own tastes.
Convenience: Container plants are easy to move around, so you can always place them in the sunniest spot.
Year-round gardening: With proper care, you can grow fruits and vegetables in containers all year long.

Conclusion

Container gardening is a great way to enjoy fresh, homegrown produce even if you don’t have a lot of space. By following these tips and choosing the right plants, you can create a thriving container garden that will provide you with delicious fruits and vegetables for years to come.

Gardening Techniques

Maximize Your Garden Space: Expert Tips for Growing More in Less

by Gregory July 19, 2020

written by Gregory 4 minutes read

Maximizing Your Garden Space: Top Tips for Growing More in Less

Introduction

Do you dream of having a lush garden but feel limited by space? Don’t worry, because with clever planning and these expert tips, you can maximize your growing area and reap the benefits of a bountiful harvest.

Vertical Gardening: Grow Up, Not Out

One of the most effective ways to save space is to go vertical. Install trellises, cages, and arbors to support climbing plants like squash, cucumbers, and tomatoes. This not only minimizes your footprint but also maximizes your yield.

Succession Planting: Keep the Harvest Coming

Don’t let your garden go idle. Practice succession planting by sowing new seeds every few weeks. This ensures a continuous supply of fresh produce, even as older plants start to decline.

Container Gardening: Grow Anywhere

Containers are a great way to expand your garden beyond the traditional plot. As long as there’s light, container plants can thrive anywhere, from patios to ledges and even indoors. Hanging baskets are a particularly clever way to maximize vertical space.

Shade Gardening: Embrace the Darkness

Don’t let shady spots go to waste. Many plants, such as rhubarb, hostas, leafy greens, and mushrooms, can flourish in even the deepest shade. Take advantage of these areas to create a lush and productive garden.

Optimize Pathways: Every Inch Counts

It’s important to have space to move around and carry tools, but don’t waste precious growing space on overly wide pathways. Plant right up to the edges to increase your square footage.

Trellising on Fences: A Living Wall

If you have a fence or wall on the edge of your yard, utilize it as a free trellis. Plant creeping vines at the base to create a beautiful living wall that also maximizes your growing space.

Double Duty Plants: Beauty and Utility

Why choose between ornamental plants and vegetables when you can have both? Plants like sunflowers, swiss chard, banana plants, and sweet potatoes offer both beauty and nourishment. Don’t be afraid to mix and match edibles and ornamentals to create a vibrant and productive garden.

Indoor Gardening: Extend Your Season

Who says gardening has to be outdoors? With grow lights or bright windows, you can extend your planting space and growing season indoors. This is a great option for cold climates or limited outdoor space.

Microgreens: Small but Mighty

If you’re really tight on space, consider growing microgreens. These leafy vegetables are picked early for their tender and delicious taste. They are incredibly efficient in terms of space and time, and a single plot of earth can produce multiple bountiful harvests over one growing season.

Smart Layout: Plan for Efficiency

Take the time to plan your garden layout carefully. Group plants with similar needs together, such as sun-loving or shade-loving plants. Consider companion planting to maximize space and improve plant growth.

Small Patches: Utilize Every Nook and Cranny

Don’t underestimate the power of small patches of soil. Many plants, such as herbs and strawberries, can thrive in even the smallest spaces. Utilize every nook and cranny around your house to create a lush and productive garden.

Conclusion

By embracing these space-saving techniques, you can maximize your garden’s potential and enjoy a bountiful harvest regardless of the size of your growing area. Remember, gardening is not about having the most space, but about making the most of what you have.

Gardening

Urban Gardening: A Comprehensive Guide to Overcoming Challenges and Growing Success in the City

by Gregory June 20, 2020

written by Gregory 4 minutes read

Urban Gardening: Challenges and Solutions for City Dwellers

Growing your own food in an urban environment can be a rewarding experience, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the unique issues of urban gardening and find solutions to ensure a successful harvest.

Permits and Regulations

Before you start digging up your yard or renting a garden plot, check with your local municipality to see if you need a permit. Depending on where you live, you may need permission to tear up the grass, build a fence, or keep urban livestock like chickens, bees, and goats.

The Human Element

Not everyone is a fan of urban gardens, so it’s important to be respectful of your neighbors. Talk to them before starting a front yard garden and consider erecting a fence if there’s a lot of foot traffic. Produce theft is a real problem in urban areas, so take steps to protect your crops.

Sun Protection

Urban gardens are often surrounded by concrete, pavement, and large structures that can absorb and radiate heat. This can create problems with sunscald and radiant heat for your plants. Choose heat-tolerant varieties and provide shade for sensitive plants during the hottest part of the day.

Contaminated Soils

Even if the soil in your urban garden looks healthy, it may be hiding contamination from the past. Lead contamination is a particular concern, especially if you have children who play in the garden. Have a soil test done for heavy metals before you start planting.

Ozone Pollution

Burning gasoline and other fossil fuels can create ozone pollution near the ground. Ozone can damage plant tissues, so it’s important to be aware of this potential problem when choosing plants for your urban garden. Ozone-resistant varieties are being developed, but they’re not yet widely available.

Water Supply

Rainwater gardening is a great way to conserve water, but not all rainwater is safe to use for gardening. Pollutants can concentrate in rainwater in urban areas, so it’s important to test your rainwater before using it on your plants. Municipal water may also contain additives like fluoride that can harm sensitive plants. Plan ahead for water and consider using drought-tolerant plants if water is scarce in your area.

Common Urban Garden Problems

In addition to the challenges mentioned above, there are some common problems that urban gardeners often encounter:

Pests and diseases: Urban gardens are often more susceptible to pests and diseases due to the close proximity of other plants and animals.
Limited space: Urban gardens are often smaller than traditional gardens, so it’s important to make the most of the space you have.
Lack of sunlight: Urban gardens may not receive as much sunlight as traditional gardens due to surrounding buildings and structures.
Noise and pollution: Urban gardens can be exposed to noise and pollution from traffic and other sources.

Solutions for Urban Gardeners

Despite the challenges, there are many ways to overcome the unique issues of urban gardening. Here are a few tips:

Choose the right plants: Select plants that are tolerant of the conditions in your urban garden, such as heat, drought, and pollution.
Use raised beds: Raised beds can help to improve drainage and soil quality, and they can also be used to extend the growing season.
Use vertical gardening techniques: Vertical gardening can help you to maximize space in a small garden.
Water wisely: Use drought-tolerant plants and water your garden deeply and infrequently.
Protect your plants from pests and diseases: Use organic pest and disease control methods to protect your plants from harm.

With a little planning and effort, you can overcome the challenges of urban gardening and enjoy the benefits of growing your own food in the city.

Vegetable Gardening

Choosing Between Bush and Vining Plants: A Comprehensive Guide for Gardeners

by Gregory March 5, 2020

written by Gregory 3 minutes read

Bush vs. Vining Plants: Which is Right for Your Garden?

Introduction

When it comes to gardening, there are two main types of plants to choose from: bush plants and vining plants. Both types have their own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to do your research before you decide which ones to grow.

Bush Plants

Advantages:

Space savers: Bush plants are compact and can be grown in small spaces, making them ideal for container gardening or gardens with limited space.
Less maintenance: Bush plants require less maintenance than vining plants because they don’t need to be trained or pruned as much.
Earlier harvest: Some bush varieties, such as bush tomatoes, produce mature fruits earlier in the season than their vining counterparts.
Easier harvesting: Bush plants are easier to harvest than vining plants because the fruits and vegetables are within easy reach.

Disadvantages:

Lower yield: Vining plants generally produce more fruits and vegetables than bush plants.
Shorter production period: Bush plants reach a certain height and then stop producing, while vining plants continue to grow and produce throughout the season.

Vining Plants

Advantages:

Vertical gardening: Vining plants can be grown vertically on trellises or other supports, which saves space and allows you to grow more plants in a smaller area.
Easier harvesting: Harvesting vining plants is easier on the back and legs because you don’t have to bend over or crawl on the ground.
Healthier produce: Keeping vining vegetables off the ground improves air circulation and reduces exposure to dirt, bacteria, and pests, resulting in healthier produce.
Longer production period: Vining varieties of beans and tomatoes continue to grow and produce throughout the season, while bush plants have a shorter production period.
Keeps the garden neat: Growing vining plants on trellises keeps the garden neat and accessible, and prevents fruit-laden plants from leaning on the ground and blocking walkways.

Disadvantages:

More maintenance: Vining plants require more maintenance than bush plants because they need to be trained and pruned regularly.
More space: Vining plants need more space to grow than bush plants, especially if they are grown vertically on trellises.

How to Choose the Right Plant Type for Your Garden

The best way to choose the right plant type for your garden is to consider your own needs and preferences. If you have limited space or are looking for plants that require less maintenance, then bush plants are a good option. If you want to maximize your yield or grow plants vertically, then vining plants are a better choice.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the decision of whether to grow bush or vining plants is a personal one. Both types of plants have their own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.

Gardening Techniques

Creeping Fig: A Comprehensive Guide to Growing and Training on Walls

by Gregory February 29, 2020

written by Gregory 3 minutes read

Creeping Fig: A Guide to Growing and Training on Walls

Introduction

Creeping fig is a vigorous vine that can quickly cover vertical surfaces, including walls. While it can be a beautiful addition to your garden, it’s important to understand how to properly grow and train it to prevent it from becoming a nuisance.

How Creeping Fig Attaches and Grows

Unlike other vines that need support structures like trellises or fences, creeping fig has a unique ability to attach to and climb any type of wall. It does this by secreting a sticky substance from its aerial roots, which allows it to cling to surfaces.

Potential Problems with Creeping Fig

While creeping fig can be a beautiful and easy-to-grow plant, it can also cause problems if not properly managed. Its aggressive growth can damage structures if the roots get into cracks in walls. Additionally, it can become a pest plant, covering other plants and blocking sunlight.

How to Prevent Problems with Creeping Fig

To prevent problems with creeping fig, it’s important to take steps to manage its growth. Here are some tips:

Trim regularly: Regularly trimming creeping fig will help to control its size and prevent it from becoming overgrown.
Grow in a container: Growing creeping fig in a container is a good way to limit its growth and prevent it from damaging walls.
Fill in cracks before planting: Before planting creeping fig on a wall, fill in any cracks or holes to prevent the roots from getting into them.

How to Train Creeping Fig to Climb

While creeping fig will naturally climb walls, you can take steps to encourage it to grow in a specific direction. Here are some methods:

Attach eyehooks: Attaching eyehooks to the wall using masonry shields provides support for the creeping fig to climb.
Use a trellis or fencing: Attaching a trellis or fencing to the wall gives the creeping fig a structure to climb on.
Use floral wire or paperclips: You can gently hook the creeping fig to the trellis or fencing using floral wire or paperclips.

Tips for Growing Creeping Fig on Walls

Growing creeping fig on walls requires patience and a little bit of care. Here are some tips:

Be patient: Creeping fig can be slow to grow in the first year, but once established, it will grow quickly.
Water regularly: Water creeping fig regularly, especially during hot and dry weather.
Fertilize occasionally: Fertilizing creeping fig occasionally will help to promote healthy growth.
Prune as needed: Prune creeping fig as needed to control its size and shape.

Conclusion

Growing creeping fig on walls can be a rewarding experience, but it’s important to understand how to properly care for and train it. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can enjoy the beauty of creeping fig without worrying about it becoming a nuisance.

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