Gardeners Club The Gardeners Club is a free to join online club for everyone with an interest in gardening and gardens.
Related Articles
Following a routine of healthy living is not just a trend that was implemented by millennial’s. Nowadays, all types of generations are thinking more seriously about the different foods they consume, and what the effect these foods have in regard to their overall health. Having the ability to provide their bodies with more minerals, and nutrients have become a major factor in deciding what food to consume.
Most importantly, people like to know where their food comes from, the fewer processes they have, the better. That is why today, many people are choosing to harvest their own food at home to have greater control of what exactly they are giving to their bodies.
Also, it is well known that creating your own edible garden, growing and harvesting, is just a really great activity to relieve tension, anxiety, stress and other factors that can affect us emotionally. This is primarily because we are taking part in an activity that connects us more with nature and makes us more aware and conscious of taking care of the environment and our planet.
Where to begin
To start this fun and relaxing project, the first thing we should think about is what kind of plants, flowers, vegetables we can use to eat and harvest easily and continuously. There is a wide variety of plants, edible flowers, vegetables that have a huge source of nutrients and you probably had no idea that they even exist. So the first thing we would recommend is that you make a list of all favourite vegetables, flowers, and plants in terms of taste, smell and nutritional factors.
Choose the perfect location
This is a very important step since this is where your plants have to grow happy and healthy.
Space should be considered according to the type of plants, flowers, vegetables that you want to harvest. Not all have the same requirements, some need more sun or water than others, so it is very important to consider this before choosing any random place. Keep in mind, that you should start with a relatively small space or one with which you feel comfortable until you have the confidence to expand the space of your crop. It is very important to have a water supply nearby so that your harvest can always be fresh and hydrated, also consider the levels of “healthy” sunlight at different hours of the day that will reach your plants – remember the excess of the sun might burn and dehydrate them. Try to protect your crop from pets and any other animals that might affect the growth of your crop. Tip : it’s easy to start your crop in small pots to test your skills before you go ahead and invest in a much bigger space.
Best equipment
It is very important to have all the essential tools and materials at hand. Some of the tools we recommend d are the following:
- Garden scissors: once your garden has flowered and produced, they will help you cut small amounts needed to add to your meals.
- Trowel : great for moving soil, digging, removing weeds and also mixing fertiliser. It is a really handy tool.
- Spade : for bigger jobs that your trowel won’t be able to fulfil, this is best used for digging, breaking up soil, and taking our of your way stubborn roots.
- Hand rake : these are used to remove small areas of thatch without damaging your beautiful plants, best used for small areas.
Time to begin
Having all the basics covered, we can begin to start planting. Keep in mind that the soil should be at the appropriate temperature for your seeds, some like colder soil, but it is generally advisable to have a warmer environment so the seeds can sprout more easily.
Remember, not to water your plants too much since this can do more harm than good. It is also recommended that the best hours to water are usually early in the morning or at night for optimum performance.
Finally, you will need to fertilise your garden. Fertiliser is very important as it helps in the growth of your plants by providing the essential nutrients they need. Use the fertiliser that you think best suits the needs of your plants and makes it easier for you to use.
Creating an edible garden is simply an amazing activity, which is suitable for all types of ages. Enjoy connecting with the environment and breathe in all that fresh air while being productive at the same time. Most of all, have fun!
Guest article by : Isabella Caprario
