The space available or your budget doesn’t matter, you can start growing your own food in any space using cheap materials! Creating your own garden is one of the most satisfying hobbies you can pursue, regardless of how much space you have.
Start small and don’t make it overcomplicated. You may believe that gardening requires a large backyard, but with a little imagination and careful planning, you can grow your own food in the smallest areas. Just enjoy the process and experiment with what you have! In this blog, I’ll share three effective and space-saving gardening methods that will have you growing in no time.
Vertical Gardening
Vertical gardening is an excellent technique for maximizing your growing space by using vertical surfaces. Instead of spreading plants horizontally, grow them vertically on walls, trellises, or other structures. This strategy is ideal for smaller patios, balconies, and even indoor places.
Materials:
- 8 x 5L bottles (plastic type 2 – HDPE)
- Drill
- 1 x drill bit 35 mm gauge
- Hammer and nail
- 1 x expanding wood trellis
- Vermiculite
- Compost mix
- Straw
How To Do It: Step-By-Step Procedure:
- Drill the bottom of a 5L bottle (plastic type 2 – HDPE) using a 35mm drill bit and make a hole to join 2 bottles
- Square mark the opening of the bottle and cut using a cutter
- Make multiple small holes on every cap and secure them in place
- Get your expanding wood trellis and fix it on the wall or fence
- Staple the DIY bottles on the trellis
- Add vermiculite for drainage and add compost mix
- Plant your chosen plant 1 for each bottle then add mulch (optional)
- Paint a white color to the base of the DIY bottle and water only the top layer
NOTE: make your own version using any material available and have fun growing your own food using a small space!
Hanging Containers
Hanging containers are another excellent option to grow vegetables without requiring ground space. These can be hung from the ceiling, balconies, or even walls. They are especially effective for trailing plants and those with small root systems.
Materials:
- 2 x plastic bottles (I used 5L bottles) HDPE 2
- Pyrography pen
- Compost mix
- Natural Twine
- Seed or Plant
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Cut the top of your plastic bottle
- Remove the cap and make holes for drainage over the top part (neck) of your bottle
- Make 4 x holes around the top part of the body of the bottle opposite to each other
- Make 2 x holes at the bottom for drainage (keep a 3-4 cm gap from the bottom)
- Put the neck of the bottle upside down inside the body of the bottle
- Fill up with compost and plant your seed or plant
- Cut 2 x natural twine pieces of the same length
- Run 1 piece through 2 x holes of the same bottle and 2 x holes of another bottle and repeat on the other side
Raised Bed Hugelkultur
Materials:
- 2x Pallet Collar (they are stackable)
- Cardboard
- Wooden branches
- Twigs
- Spoiled hail, grass trimmings, and food scraps
- Any organic soil
- Perlite (optional)
Simple Steps To Do It
- Choose a spot that gets plenty of sunlight
- Lay down logs, branches, and other woody debris as the base
- Add layers of grass trimmings, leaves, compost, and topsoil
- Plant your seeds or seedlings, and watch your garden thrive with minimal maintenance
By implementing these tips, you can transform your limited area into a productive and beautiful garden. What are you most interested in? Whether you opt for vertical gardening, hanging containers, or raised bed hugelkultur, you’ll be amazed at how much you can grow with just a little creativity and effort.
Happy growing!