The benefits of a home garden are well documented. Fresh produce has up to 50% more nutrients than what you find at the store. While produce in your refrigerator can go bad in less than a week, live plants can last months, leading to less food waste and a reduced carbon footprint.
Most of us love the idea of walking outside to pick some fresh greens or a sun-ripened tomato, but starting a garden can seem like a daunting task. Where to plant, what to plant, when and how much to water? While these variables shift depending on your local climate, the time of year, and the space you have available, we’ve got some trusted tips from Owner and Founder of Portland Edible Gardens Ian Wilson.
Take the time to learn about which vegetables grow well in your climate and when they should be planted. No amount of fertilizer is going to grow avocados in Oregon, and planting tomatoes even a few weeks late can lead to much lower yields. Connect with local organizations and experts who can point you in the right direction. You’ll be so happy you did.
Even with ample sun and optimal soil your veggies are toast unless they’re getting the water they need. The water requirements of your vegetables will depend on what you plant, its maturity stage, your soil type, and the temperatures in your garden throughout the growing season. Some veggies, like zucchini and cucumbers, need consistent water for optimal productivity, while others, like tomatoes, benefit from reducing irrigation during the fruiting stage. Learning about the specific water needs of your vegetables will help maximize their productivity. Don’t let all your hard work go to waste by missing an important watering window! An automated drip irrigation system can help ensure that your garden gets the water it needs when it needs it.
There are a thousand reasons to grow an edible garden, and food is just one of them. As the world continues to speed up and we find our attention being pulled in so many directions, you’ll find that your garden is a refuge and a precious place for slowing down. As your garden grows, it will reveal itself to you in surprising ways again and again. Follow that invitation to go slow, resting in the beauty and enjoying the gifts that you and your garden have created.
Check out these indoor gardening systems perfect for apartments or people without yards.
Designed for indoor or outdoor use, this stand grows up to 36 different plants at one time and uses 98% less water than traditional gardening. The system is self-watering and self-fertilizing and takes up just four square feet of floor space. Do note that in order to grow indoors you’ll need to purchase additional Glow Rings.
If you don’t have a lot of floor space to spare, the Harvest XL is designed to grow on your countertop, no green thumb required! Grow up to six different herbs, greens, or tomato plants in virtually any space. The automatic reminders take the guesswork out of watering and feeding your plants, and you can change up the varieties as often as you’d like.
This vertical garden can grow up to 30 large plants with just two square feet of floor space. They have over 50 edible plants to choose from as well as the option to plant your own seeds. All of their seeds are non-GMO and pesticide free.
For more information visit portlandediblegardens.com and follow them on Instagram @pdxediblegardens.
