How to Grow Plants In Small Spaces

No matter whether you're rocking apartment living or live on a sprawling estate, small gardens can be a wonderful way to get connected to nature in a manageable way. Containers are a useful tool for anyone looking to try their hand at gardening without a lot of time or knowledge commitment. Luckily, you can grow nearly anything you'd like right on your balcony. Specific varieties of vegetables, herbs and fruits lend themselves nicely to small spaces. With the right combination of sunlight, water, and good soil, you can start to grow healthy food right now. Read on to learn how to grow plants in small spaces.

Sunlight

One of the most important factors to the success of your plants is their access to sunlight. Most annual vegetables, fruit bushes and herbs require full sun, so be sure to evaluate your space. Balconies, patios, or small yards can all provide adequate light, but there are always individual factors to consider. An extended roof on your porch or building next door could cast long shadows that could prevent the sun from accessing your plants. Without six to eight hours of sun per day, you may want to consider shade-tolerant plants such as leafy greens and root vegetables.

Water

Raised beds and containers have a tendency to dry out much faster than the soil in the ground. This fact won't pose any issues if you keep on top of your watering schedule. Annual plants typically need much more water than their perennial counterparts, so be sure to keep that in mind while making your watering plan. An easy way to ensure you don't get behind is to utilize a drip irrigation watering system. That way, you can set your irrigation on a timer and be confident that your plants are getting all of the water they require.

Soil

Plants require soil that is rich in organic matter and nutrients in order for them to grow strong and vibrant. For vegetables specifically, taste is widely variable depending on soil quality. Fertilizers may help with plant growth and appearance, but it's essential to remember that plants require a wide range of micronutrients, just like us, that they need to get from the soil around them. Taking time to ensure you are using high-quality soil right from the beginning will certainly pay off with your high-quality vegetable harvest.

Helpful Tips For Small Spaces

There are many plant varieties around that are raised specifically for their small size. If you've ever seen dwarf, compact or baby varieties, then you know you've found a miniature size plant perfect for small spaces. Another valuable technique you can use is succession planting, where you reseed quick growing varieties in the same area you just harvested from. Trying out a vertical garden may also be useful in certain small spaces where one wall gets a lot of sun.