I know there are a lot of people without yards that say they can't garden. We can ALL garden a little bit. There are many ways and options. Just remember that anything that you grow - you don't have to buy. The easiest things to start with - even if no yard - are herbs, lettuces and greens and spring onions (green onions).
Plus it is fun to grow something yourself and it is yummy!
You can even re-grow things. Romaine lettuce is easy to re-grow. Keep the root end in tact - I scrape the bottom a little to open up pores - start in water to root. As it grows, you can plant in a pot!
Celery can be done the same way. I have done both in the dead of winter in the house - so yes, you can do them now and set on the porch or patio! Keep them watered well.
I have thought about utilizing this idea for many years and still haven't done it. That is guttering. You would need to drill a few drainage holes - but my goodness you could grown all kinds of things in a small space. I see herbs and greens working well. Strawberries(?) Onions. What fun.
Container gardening is easy and pretty as well. Throw things in pot and boom you have garden. I have grown tomatoes, peppers, onions, cucumbers, squash and cabbage in pots before.
You can use flower pots, buckets, tubs, storage containers, old ice cream buckets, just about anything that you can put dirt in. Always make sure you have drainage holes. I have seen people place bags on store bought soil on the ground - slit it open (poke a few holes in bottom) and plant just like that. No pot needed - just the bag of soil! If there is a will, there is a way.
You can plant in amongst your flowers and shrubs as well. A pretty tomato or pepper would look just lovely amongst the shrubs!
Don't think it is too late. My goodness, I have not even plowed the garden let alone planted ANYTHING. If you get things planted by around the end of May or first of June you will still enjoy the 'fruits' of your labors.
Have fun. Get creative. Save a little. Grow a little. ENJOY a lot!
Over the winter, I've enjoyed the basil and thyme brought in from an outside planter. Another fresh bite - sprouts grown in a jar on the counter. My cold pantry shelves have jars of home grown/made tomatoes, salsa, beans, pickled beets. I often plant corn in the perennial flower bed. I've learned that mixing vegetables and flowers in the same plot is called a cottage garden.
ReplyDeleteCool on wintering your herbs.
DeleteI love all my fresh canned yummies from the garden. No matter the time of year you feel like you have a bit of the garden!
I forgot about sprouts - thanks for that reminder. I really like them on salads and haven't grown any in years.
Cottage garden - even sounds sweet and wonderful!
I just planted my tiny raised bed garden yesterday. I put in 5 tomato plants I had started from seed, one hill of zucchini, a little bit of chard and all of the leftover bean seeds from 2019 and 2020 (they should be viable for 3 years). I spent about $10 for seeds and have enough (except for beans) for the next 3 years or so. I also have a raised bed of strawberries that are all in bloom.
ReplyDeleteI am one who gardens for cheap. Don't get me wrong, I love the produce. Just wanted to point out that anytime you have to buy the soil, such as for container gardening, or buy started plants (except tomatoes and peppers) drives up the cost a LOT. Also, there is some economy of scale. I'm not trying to discourage anyone from growing a tomato in a pot, just pointing out that by the time you've bought the soil and the plant, it's not a big saving.
If someone is planning this, reusing 5 gallon buckets with a hole drilled in the bottom saves the cost of buying a planter. Also, consider how much soil each plant needs. A shallower planter uses less soil and is perfect for lettuce and other shallow-rooted plants, whereas the 5 gallon buckets work well for tomatoes and root vegetables, etc. Anytime you plant in a container, you need to be extra vigilant about watering because the soil dries out faster.
Another thought...I see people buying $6 tomato plants. They aren't going to $ave anything. However, buying smaller tomato plants earlier in the season and taking care of them in their growing pots until it's time to plant can be very cheap. Also, they grow a lot faster in the ground, so you don't need those huge plants. When I first started gardening, 45 years ago, I would buy a 6 pack (which were really tiny then), plant those out around Memorial day, and we'd be eating (and canning) tomatoes from August until the first frost.
DeleteI hear you. I use my pots over and over and even the dirt. I refurbish the dirt a little each year. G used to tell me to get a big tomato plant to go along with the others - it didn't really matter. They all got tomatoes at the same time!
DeleteYes don't spend a fortune. AT least pots and dirt are re-usable.
Thanks for good advice!
I've started growing more veg in containers over the last few years. The peas, radish, and lettuce are just up now. I did try carrots in a container but it wasn't really deep enough so I stick to things I know I can use quickly. All of these can be re-seeded too so I can continue to enjoy them through the year.
ReplyDeleteThis year I started peppers and tomatoes from seed. I've 9 seedlings of each; I'll keep five and give the other four to my daughter. My fingers are crossed our weather is back to more normal temps next week so I can get them in the larger containers. We have a short growing season here - first frost usually comes in August sometime.
Enjoy playing in the dirt when you get the chance!
Good job. I hope you get to plant them soon too. My goodness that is early for frost.
DeleteI have been playing outside for 2 days - I am getting hot and tired. It went and got HOT here!
I love that idea with the gutters.
ReplyDeleteI think it is so cool. Such a space saver!
DeleteI have to keep my plantings on my deck, as we cannot plant any food-type plants in-ground in our townhome community. I've got 7 large planters -- one with spring peas; one pickle cucumbers; 3 with bell peppers (2 plants in each container, in case one dies); and 2 pots of early girl tomatoes (2 plants in each container; the birds already got 2 plants). Also, I have a medium pot of chives; they simply re-grow each spring and nothing needs to be done other than to cut them back. My deck rail boxes have geraniums on the outside and herbs on the inside -- basil, parsley, carrots, lettuces, and I need to get some oregano. One box has two peppers in it, may not produce, but I'm hoping I get a couple of small ones. I'll still need to purchase tomatoes for canning, but at least I can have some fresh ones for salads and sandwiches, and peppers for cooking and snacking. Better than having to rely solely on the grocery store!
ReplyDeleteHow fantastic that you grow so much on your deck. Good job. Like you said, at least you will have fresh all summer. That is a shame you can't plant amongst the shrubs.
DeleteI have a pot of chives that has come back for years.
So smart the guttering garden. I live in an apartment now, and I am going to research ways of growing small things indoors. I think I should be able to do herbs in the kitchen at least.
ReplyDeleteJ
You can grow herbs, salad onions and maybe if sunny enough some veggie plant. You never know till you try.
DeleteOur youngest son grows lots on his balcony in pots. I mentioned he could probably grow peas up the netting he has covering his balcony and he is seriously considering doing so.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Oh what a great idea. Not only would he have peas but it would be pretty and shaded for him!
DeleteLots of unconventional gardening ideas! Since lumber has gotten outrageously expensive and some of our raised beds have rotted, we bought some galvanized fire rings. A bit of an outlay but they will last longer and aren't as low for us older gardeners. The waist high beds are nice but expensive. Spotted a ripe strawberry yesterday. The peas are just now blooming. Hope the upcoming high temps don't stress them. Yikes, poison ivy! That's all you need.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea on the fire rings. They will last many, many years.
DeleteWe can always find a way to do things. I think that is neat.
I have been dealing with poison ivy for years - it thrives in our neighborhood!
ove that things are growing.
The gutters idea is great! My garage is old and has the original wood siding, not in the best of shape. This would spruce up the sunny side! I'll save the idea for next year, as this summer I'll be gone a lot. Best, Celie
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you found an idea you can maybe use. Be safe this summer and check in when you can!
DeleteI like those ideas. We have a little kiddie pool (with holes drilled in the bottom) planted this year with crookneck squash and lettuce, LOL. We bought some planting bags for the rest of our "garden" as our soil is abominable and rocky.
ReplyDeleteI bet you're itchin' to start planting.
Good idea on the kiddie pool! Hey, if it works - why not?
DeleteI am ready - yet dread the work!!! LOL