3 Simple Sustainable Tips for Rookie Backyard Gardeners
- Cultivate Simple Delights
- Feb 1
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 13
Whether your space is a sprawling backyard or a cozy balcony growing your own vegetables can be incredibly satisfying with our series of easy gardening methods for cultivating your own bountiful harvest.
With the right approach, you’ll find it easier than you think!
Here are three sustainable tips to help you can cultivate your small garden successfully, while reducing your environmental footprint.
Small Container Garden Ideas For Beginners
Selecting the right containers is vital for a thriving vegetable garden.
Look for pots made from eco-friendly materials like recycled plastics or biodegradable options.
Terra cotta and wood are also excellent choices providing both sustainability and a natural aesthetic.
Make sure that your containers have good drainage because healthy roots are happy roots!
You can do this by simply adding drainage holes to the bottom of your container.
The size of your containers matters too because different plants require different soil depths and space, so be sure to consider that before planting.
Larger plants such as tomatoes, zucchini, squash, and potatoes can be grown in containers, but require bigger pots typically around 5 gallons, while herbs and lettuces can flourish in smaller containers with at least 12 inches of soil.
One of my favorite container garden design ideas to make is a beautiful salad garden that I love to fill with a variety of lettuces like Bibb lettuce, Red Ruby, and Buttercrunch plus spinach and kale giving you a wonderful variety of colors and delicious flavors for growing your own salad.
Also strawberries do very well in container gardens and you can even create a strawberry tower to have the perfect strawberry patch right on your balcony.
How To Make Your Soil Better For Vegetable Gardening
Next, let’s talk about soil.
Rather than spending money on expensive potting mixes, why not create your own?
A great mix can be made using 40% organic compost, 40% peat moss, and 20% perlite.
This combination not only provides essential nutrients, but also retains moisture effectively, which is critical for container gardening.
Adding compost enriches the soil, which makes your plants stronger and more resilient to pests and diseases.
If you have a compost bin, fantastic!
If not, starting one could be another great project for you.
Composting kitchen scraps and garden waste can result in nutrient rich soil for your plants, while reducing household waste.
It's a win win.
Reduce your waste output, while making your garden healthier simply by composting your food scrapes.
If you don't have room for a large compost pile you can even purchase a small tumbling composter that works perfectly to collect your scraps and turn them into fertile soil to use on your garden.
I'm so excited to use mine this year and love the convenience of being able to repurpose kitchen scraps into compost my plants will love.
How To Water Your Garden Plants
Now, let’s address watering, a key aspect of container gardening.
Since containers can dry out quickly, finding the right balance is crucial.
Overwatering can lead to root rot, while underwatering can stress your vegetables.
Check the moisture levels of your container garden by simply sticking your finger in the soil, you want your soil to be moist, but not oversaturated.
Watering your container gardens every other day is a good start to keeping a good moisture level and also always water evenly at soil level to avoid your plant leaves from getting wet, which can lead to fungal issues.
You could also collect rainwater in barrels.
By using rainwater for your garden can save on watering costs, while benefiting your plants.
How To Grow Your First Garden
Container gardening is an easy and rewarding introduction to growing your own vegetables.
By choosing the right containers, creating nutrient rich soil, and watering wisely you can unleash your green thumb and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Not only will you enjoy fresh, homegrown produce, but you will also deepen your connection with nature and the environment.
Remember a successful garden begins with a simple plan and the courage to dive in to learning more about how to grow your own food right from your garden.
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