Making your very own edible garden might seem like a completely out-there concept, but it’s actually much easier than you may think to start growing your own fruits, vegetables and herbs.
It comes with a host of benefits too, like advocating a healthier lifestyle, saving money on shopping and encouraging productivity and exercise. Not to mention, that the satisfaction and enjoyment you get from growing your own produce is second to none.
Sound good? If so, there’s a few basics you need to consider, but making your own little patch of nutritious joy isn’t that many steps away.
Create the Right Space
The first thing you’ll need to think about is what you want to grow, how much of it you need and where you’re going to do it. These sorts of questions will dictate how much space you’ll need to make for your new venture.
Now, the great thing about an edible garden is it can be anything from a couple of trays of herbs on your kitchen windowsill to a full-blown plot taking up your entire backyard, it’s all down to what you want to achieve.
Think about what equipment you’ll need. For example, if you’re looking to make a suitable plot in a woody area, you’ll need shears, a spade and possibly even a chainsaw to get the job done.
Pick a Few Easy Starters
Another cool thing about making an edible plot is everyone from beginners to seasoned veterans can enjoy the delights of growing something. Chances are you’ll be pretty new to it all so, like any new hobby, start small and then move to bigger and better things as your understanding grows.
There’s plenty of useful, inexpensive and easy-to-grow edible plants to get you off the mark. Here are a handful of examples:
- Tomatoes: A great starter for ten and universally loved, a tomato plant pretty much needs sun and compost to grow delicious and juicy fruit.
- Rhubarb: A gorgeous looking plant that will add to the aesthetics of your garden. Rhubarb is a resilient grower that goes great in a pie or summer crumble.
- Sugar snap peas: A good one for spring or autumn, sugar snaps prefer cooler temperatures and provide a crunchy and refreshing snack straight off the vine.
- Simple herbs: Herbs like thyme, basil and chives are all unfussy plants that will sprout in decent conditions, with all three offering delicious upgrades on your cooking.
Know Your Perennials from Your Biennials
As your experience of growing edibles builds, so will your understanding, but one thing to know straight off the bat is the different types of plants you can choose; those being perennials, annuals and biennials.
It’s not too tough a code to crack. A perennial plant will come back year after a year, whilst an annual must be planted every year and a biennial every two. Perennials should take up most, if not all, of your starting plot as they offer savings on time, money and labour.
The list of perennials is extensive, from delicious tropical fruits to nutritious popular nuts, plus a full range of vegetable and herb staples. Essentially, whatever you fancy, there should be plenty to keep you interested with perennial plant growing.
Remember, growing your own edible garden should be an enjoyable hobby for you. Regardless of whether you want the occasional herb or a full fruit and veg production line on your terrace, making your own produce is always a rewarding experience.
*collaborative post