
Cleanliness is next to godliness – this is a much quoted phrase. Whether you wish to be ‘godly’ or not, we are all brought up thinking that being clean is good and that being dirty is bad. People who cannot…
Setting up an organic vegetable garden can give us so much. You will get a great variety of delicious fruit and vegetables to eat. Some people have found it to be a type of therapy (and exercise), others as a way to communicate with the earth and meet other like-minded people. At the very least, you will be able to use it as a way of eating more healthily and naturally.
Are you thinking that this might be a countryside pursuit and if you live in the middle of a city this is of no interest to you? Think again! Here are some tips for setting up an organic vegetable garden in the middle of the city.
You need a small area of space. This could be a small paved area at the back or front of your house, a terrace or a balcony. You will be growing plants in pots or other containers so you can use a paved area with no problems. Before you select your spot, have a read of the following guidance.
The plant pots or containers should:
Once you have chosen the location and containers for your garden you can begin. It’s important to know where you’ll put your vegetable garden. Make sure that you arrange them so that it is comfortable for you to work without hurting your back. You can fill the bottom part of your containers with top soil – you can often pick this up for free from small ads and local community websites. Then top up with organic fertiliser/compost from your garden centre. Avoid herbicides and pesticides if you want your garden to remain organic.
Vegetables can be planted in two different ways: as seeds or as seedlings and the most appropriate depends on the plant and the time of the year. Some plants grow very well together – for example, tomatoes and basil grow well together. However, other plants like broccoli use up a lot of nutrients and moisture and are best grown alone.