Winter might not be the most productive season for home-grown vegetables, but there are still plenty of food plants that can be grown to boost your household’s budget. We look at how you can grow your own, regardless of available space or the weather.
Fresh home-grown fruit, vegetables and herbs are not only good for you, but work magic into a home cooked meal – and save money. If you live in a suburban block or inner city apartment home, you might think you don’t have the space or the right conditions, but with a little knowhow, your kitchen garden could be sprouting in no time.
A corner in a yard or balcony is often enough, as your garden can be established in a long narrow trough, or in pots layered on a stand. The available space will determine how much you can have growing at any time, just as the weather conditions will determine what will thrive.
Small pots require more watering, and do not allow plants much room for putting down strong roots; try using a few big deep tubs or large pots to hold multiple plants (be sure to find out which plants live well together first).
Some plants such as tomatoes and lettuces thrive against a sunny wall, whereas others such as parsley and mint can be grown in limited sunlight. If there are no naturally shady spots on your balcony, consider creating one using mesh netting or an umbrella.
Once you decide how much space you can use, it is time to think about what you might grow. Take into consideration the sort of food your family likes to eat, while also venturing out with some herbs that are easy to grow and offer a tasty variation to everyday meals.
Thyme and chillies can add a simple unique twist to a meal and survive happily on a hot exposed deck, while bay leaves, turmeric, lemongrass and citrus trees can handle the heat but will need more attention and watering. Most garden centres offer a variety of seedlings for lettuces, baby spinach and rocket, which can be picked at random to add flavour to most meals.
Add a handful of herbs and some fresh Roma or Cherry tomatoes and you have a delicious instant salad.
Right now, the best vegetables to plant are leafy greens, broccoli, cabbage, carrots and cauliflower.
While most herbs, fruits and vegetables can handle the heat, be sure you know how much water (and shade) they will need, especially as the days get hotter. Most commercial potting mixes contain moisture beads, but you could add more for particularly thirsty plants (such as mint or parsley). Throw some mulch on top of the soil to prevent drying out and to shade roots from the heat.
A small compost bin is a handy way to recycle non-oily food scraps – throw in anything from egg-shells to bread, tea bags, fruit peels or even the lint from the dryer. If you have space outside, you might consider a worm farm for recycling food scraps and garden waste and to provide a constant source of nutrient-rich fertiliser. A worm farm will struggle in the heat, so park it out of direct sunlight, in a place where the air can circulate around it.
With a little planning and care, you could be eating your own produce in no time. If you are unsure what plants will suit your conditions, talk to your local nursery.
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