You do NOT need a large garden to have a productive vegetable patch. Quite the opposite. You can have an amazingly productive garden as long as you take into consideration the following factors.
Your plants will need access to light. Plants need access to sunlight. Or else they won’t ripen to their full potential. So make sure there are no over-hanging trees or bushes. Or that your plant in the shade of your property.
Your plants will need access to water. Without a regular supply of water, your crop will be shrivelled and stunted. Plants need water so the crop swells to its full potential. So ensure you have a hose pipe in your garden for the dry times. Plus, consider adding a water collection vessel. This way you can draw off water when needed.
Your plants need fertile soil. A barren soil that’s low in nutrients will mean a low-yielding crop. You’ll need to check the PH of your soil. This is to make sure your soil is not too acid. You can also test your soil for phosphate and potash levels. Plants – especially roots -need ample supplies of these two nutrients for establishment purposes.
Now that we’ve got that basis covered what else do you need to consider when growing in a small space?
Well, your space needs to be organized. You want to optimize every square inch of it.
Place your plants in rows close together. The same with seeds when sowing them. Now I don’t mean planting so close together that they won’t reach their full potential. Instead, plant so at the point of harvest, the plants are nearly touching.
Use raised beds where you can. These make growing very organized. You’ll need to measure the area where you want to plant. And you’ll need treated timbers. This way they last longer and won’t rot.
Does your garden have walls? If so, can you attach some wooden garden planters to them and grow crops in them? If so, great.
Select varieties that contain the names – dwarf….baby… tiny…. Pixie… patio….. When the variety has one of these names then you know it’s been designed to grow for small spaces. This doesn’t mean they will crop any less.
Look for crops that can be trained to grow upwards NOT sideways Crops that can be trained on bamboo, wooden or wire supports. You’ll take up a lot less space. Crops such as runner beans, cucumbers…
Where can you place containers and garden planters? Do you have paths, steps, driveways you can use? Or place them on any grassy areas.
Remember you could grow up to three crops a year in your planters. Especially when you sow plants that are growing fast. Plants such as salad leaves… spinach…. Rocket… lettuce…. Pea shoots….coriander… radishes…
These grow fast and then finish. So you have time in the growing season to get further crops.
All you need is to be organized.
