To start a garden at home, it is necessary to first have the need to take advantage of the benefits of a garden and the convenience of having food in our own home. It is the principle of self-sufficiency, but for this you must follow a series of tips that will help you get started, since having the garden at home will be a daily job.
What do we need to have a garden at home?
First of all, it is essential to have a space that can be adapted to the requirements of a moderate or small garden, but that needs a certain amount of space, having the arrival of good solar lighting is another of the necessary points to start the garden in home.
In addition to these essential primary requirements, having the necessary materials, learning about the harvest and cultivation time of the different plants that our garden will have at home is very important, to know how to water, and what are the needs of each plant.
1. Have the appropriate containers:
Its size will depend on what you want to grow; There are many types: pots, planters, cultivation tables, there are also textiles… but the most important thing is that they are light so that they can be moved easily and that they have a good drainage system to eliminate excess irrigation water.
2. Sun and necessary lighting:
The best orientation for a balcony, terrace, window or patio is south, southwest. Plants should have a minimum of 8-10 hours of sun (or four of direct light) to grow healthy and strong.
3. Plan the space:
Keep in mind the surface to be occupied, the capacity and the distribution of the containers; This avoids, for example, overloading the balcony or window. Place the low plants in front of the high ones to take better advantage of the hours of sunshine. In this way, place, for example, potted lettuce ahead of tomatoes or beans.
4. Use the right substrates:
Vegetables need a substrate rich in nutrients to grow and bear fruit. Experts advise light organic substrates because they retain water and nutrients well, as well as serving as a ‘support’ for plant growth.
5. Choose the irrigation system well:
On a terrace you can install an automatic irrigation system, but if this is not possible, try to have easy access to a tap to water without great inconvenience. The watering can of a lifetime or a watering gum will suffice.
6. Frequency and quantity of water:
The frequency of irrigation and the amount of water will depend on the time of year (summer or winter), but keep in mind that it is always better to maintain humidity, that is, water more frequently but less amount.
7. Self-consumption:
To ensure a good performance of your garden, it is best to diversify the crop, in small quantities and scaling the crops. One of the advantages of growing at home is that we can adapt the crops to our own consumption needs.
8. Combine crops of different species:
The variety of crops is great. For those who are beginners, it is recommended to try: onions, garlic, spinach, radishes, lettuce, aromatic plants, for example.
9. Pest control:
It is an important aspect to take into account. For all those who want to get started in this ‘home agriculture’ it is recommended that they go to the seedlings instead of the seeds, because they are much more resistant to pests.
