Home Garden Basics

Why is a home garden a necessity?

Is a question asked only by those who are ignorant. Each one of us is a consumer of vegetables and plant-based products, whether we like it or not  we do have significant portions of veggies through our lives. And yet, some people dare to ask such a silly question , instead of embracing the practice of Home-gardening.

A usual meal in any household around the world, irrespective of their dietary preferences – constitutes largely of vegetables and fruits. So, while we cannot go around rearing chickens and raising mini- farms, we can definitely and easily do our bit by adopting to a home-garden. With new-age tech and newer practices of farming it is now possible for every home to be self-sufficient .

How to make your very own Home garden ?

It is possible to use a portion of your balcony, terrace or kitchen and convert it into a small garden. Home gardens do not require large spaces or open fields for plants to grow, you can begin small and then plant-on as you’d like. There are many innovative ways to go about with this, you could use different planters, containers,  soil mixers,  organic fertilizers and  garden tools to convert a small portion of your home into a beautiful garden.  

Growing vegetables using pots or containers is the best option  for the Urban crowd as there are space constraints at home. Gardening  is also considered a passion or  a hobby for many people and they enjoy the fruits of its labor. For  urban  people, home gardening  often means growing plants on rooftops, balconies, alleyways, sidewalks or whatever little space the homeowner has in their house.  Apart from considering gardening as a passion, one can also generate revenue or  income  from it, if done properly. Many home gardeners often find containers or pots to begin with, as a way to consume home grown fresh vegetables and to escape the harms of chemically-grown market produce.

Like any other job though, home gardeners do face many challenges while they go through the process, starting from  seeding up until harvesting. While  challenges are many,  seeking advice or opinion from experts  or  using online sources and stores are a great way to solve these problems. One has to approach each challenge in a positive way to find a better solution.

Important tips for Home gardening :

Soil conditions : Selection of a good Soil plays a critical role in any home gardening.  

Difficult soil conditions (sand, stone, clay) may lead to difficulties in growing vegetables. Other challenges may vary based on the type of container, regulation of water and the light source.

 Important factors to consider:

• Availability of space (Indoor or Outdoor)

• • Selecting the right area is essential as this will directly affect the growth of your plant. Ensure that whatever space you chose has access to sunlight as most plants require six to eight hours of sunlight.

• Selecting the type of plant

• • Depending on your interest and choice, select the type of plant you’d like to grow and understand its specifications. Each plant is different and each has its own requirements of watering and lighting.

• Availability of  sunlight

• • Some plants may require six to eight hours of bright sunlight while others may require less than six hours of sunlight. The requirement and type, should be studied before investing in a home garden. 

• Weather conditions

• • Different weather conditions affect plant growth differently therefore, plant care during seasonal changes is crucial for its growth.

• Soil mix

• • Based on the nutrients and requirements of your plant, pick the soil. A good soil component ensures adequate nutrients for the plant.

• Watering the plants

• • Watering is important for survival of all plants. But the water frequency may vary based on the type of the plant, ensure you know this quantity before you decide to buy the seeds.

• Fertilizers and Pesticides

• • Traditional soil has less nutrients and may not be sufficient for plant growth. Therefore, fertilizers are used to ensure the plants receive the adequate amount of nutrients from an external source when the soil is not sufficient. Additionally, adding pesticides helps reduce possibility of decay and disease. Try and look for an organic pesticide for best results.

• Harvesting

• • This is the final stage of your plant’s growth cycle, where vegetables and fruits are harvested for personal or commercial use.

• Continuous maintenance

• • Every plant needs continuous maintenance. Removal of dead plants, foliage and re-potting are some of the tasks to be done regularly to ensure a healthy garden at home.