
Victory gardens, or so-called ‘war gardens,’ have helped people secure food in their homes during the World War. As the world faces another crisis, growing our own food is an efficient way to save ourselves from food shortage.
Growing food can be as simple as planting in plastic bottles, placing them in window sills, balconies, porches, rooftops, and in other spots good for gardening. Here are some things to consider before you get started:
Location
First thing to note in setting up your garden is the space for your crops. Figure out the available area where you want to establish it and indicate what, when, and how much you’ll be able to grow in it.
You can try a sunny window sill. It may limit your yield but aside from it being low-maintenance, it will also be a good start as you’ll be able to focus and learn the plants you are growing little by little. You can have a larger setup once you are ready to expand. Planting indoors will also save your plants from plant stealers.
In the case of confined spaces, a vertical garden is recommended. Mounting pots or containers on a wall is a space-saving method many gardeners creatively execute. It will also make your garden look organized.
Sunlight
This is an essential factor to consider in your chosen location. Check if the location receives enough sunlight for your plants. If there’s no sufficient sunlight, you might need to spend on grow lights. An indoor hydroponics setup is another option. There are several techniques to create your own hydroponics setup by reusing materials at home.
Deciding what to grow
Herbs or leafy greens are also suggested for beginners because they do not require full sunlight and are easy to cultivate, though a garden with access to more sun has a wider list of options including garlic, tomatoes, and onions. You can also grow food while reusing the kitchen scraps at home. Don’t forget to label each plant and its sowing date to monitor what you are growing.
Plant essentials
Prepare the seeds, soil, fertilizer, pots, and tools that you will need for gardening. In obtaining seeds, you can also ask the agriculture office of your city or municipality regarding the free seeds that they give away. If you’re buying other needs, consider showing support to the local businesses available near you.
If you’ve succeeded growing your greens, check their soil conditions before transplanting them to avoid future problems. Watching videos, reading books, and joining local gardening groups can actually help you in doing such a process. Don’t hesitate to ask because there are many information sources and plant experts that you can talk to about your gardening questions.