Growing Vegetables and Herbs in Small Pots on Your Balcony or Terrace Growing vegetables and herbs in containers is nothing new, but have you ever considered growing them in small flower pots on your balcony or terrace? It’s possible—you just need to know what works best! While large containers can accommodate almost any plant (as long as you have enough soil and compost), smaller flower pots present a unique challenge. The truth is that most vegetables won’t thrive in tiny pots simply because they don’t have enough space to develop a proper root system. And with limited space, you can get only a limited amount of plants, so that the…
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Simple gardening – All about growing from seeds, planting store-bought seedlings, collecting seeds, and making diy seed envelopes /19
Growing from seeds and planting plants This is the most exciting part—growing your food! When starting, you might wonder which is the better option: buying plants or growing them from seed. Let’s take a closer look at both options so you can decide what works best for you. Store-Bought Seedlings vs. Starting from Seed Buying seedlings from the store is undoubtedly quicker and more convenient, but it’s also the pricier option. With a single packet of seeds, you could potentially grow hundreds of plants (depending on the packet size), while at the store, you might only get a few plants for the exact cost. Once your plants mature, you can…
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Simple gardening – Preparing the ground, all about manure, and organic compost, making a home-made fertilizer /18
Ground preparations and fertilization In the chapter Place, I discuss two main approaches to preparing your garden soil. Whichever method you choose, the most important thing is to ensure the ground is ready well before the growing season begins. This preparation sets the stage for a successful garden. Here’s a tip: Prepare your entire garden space immediately, even if some plants won’t go into the ground until months later. By addressing everything early, you’ll keep your efforts organized and avoid the chaos of tackling different areas piecemeal. Plus, keeping the whole space weed-free prevents those pesky plants from spreading their seeds and taking over later. A little upfront effort saves…
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Simple gardening – Making a herbarium, garden planner, and plant journal /17
Herbarium Creating a herbarium helps us remember and identify every plant growing in our garden. It allows us to gather valuable information about our vegetable garden, ornamental plants, herbs, and wildflowers. The process is simple and enjoyable, making it a great activity to do also with children. We can create separate herbariums or gardening books for each type of garden plant, including vegetables, ornamental plants, herbs, and wildflowers. Organizing your herbarium in this way makes it easier to find information later and ensures everything is readily available when needed. Creating a herbarium is not only helpful but also a lot of fun! You can personalize it by adding your own…
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Simple gardening – Growing HERBS and AROMATIC PLANTS /16
Herbs and aromatic plants Herbs and aromatic plants are an essential part of any garden. With a vast array of choices available, you can select plants based on their culinary uses, health benefits, visual appeal, and ability to benefit other plants and pollinators. Choosing herbs When deciding which herbs to grow, consider their purpose and common occurrence in the wild. These questions can be helpful: When buying already grown herb plants, always ensure that the plant is healthy, and before planting, control the root system very well (but gently) to avoid spreading diseases and pests in your garden. Sometimes, a new plant needs time to stabilize, which can sometimes take…
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Simple gardening – all about CITRUS TREES /15
Citrus trees (Rutaceae) While citrus trees are commonly associated with hot climates, they can also thrive in milder temperatures or be grown in pots, producing a significant amount of fruit. Among the many varieties available, the most familiar are basic lemon, mandarin, and orange. When purchasing a citrus tree, choosing a variety that produces fruit you enjoy is essential, as there are notable differences in taste, size, and growing requirements. For instance, I have a mandarin tree that yields small, sweet fruits. However, other varieties, often grown in my region, produce large, dry, and quite bitter fruits. These types are well-suited to colder climates, so if you ask for a…
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Simple gardening – all about STRAWBERRIES, BLUEBERRIES, RASPBERRIES, BLACKBERRIES, AND KIWI /14
Berries and fruit bushes In addition to vegetables and fruit trees, fruit bushes and berries are invaluable and rewarding elements of any garden. You can enjoy various varieties of fresh fruit throughout the year. These plants are perennials, meaning once established in your garden, they will remain in the same spot for many years. For this reason, it’s crucial to select their location carefully. Consider their requirements, such as sunlight, soil type, and space, to ensure their health and maintain harmony with your garden’s surrounding plants. I have chosen several examples of fruit-producing shrubs that can serve as a model for caring for other shrubs. Strawberries Strawberries are one of…
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Simple gardening – all about LEAFY GREENS /13
Leafy greens Leafy greens, such as lettuce, arugula, rapini, romaine, endive, dill, mustard, and collard, are not only versatile but also relatively easy to grow. Their adaptability to cool weather makes them ideal for spring and fall planting, adding to their appeal for home gardeners. If you plant them in the bed (without interplanting), you can choose different varieties so they will grow and mature in other periods. Or you can select a smaller place to grow and then plant the same plants/seeds after some weeks, so you will always have fresh leaves to harvest. Planting and harvesting leafy greens Planting and propagating Collecting seeds from leafy greens is a…
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Simple gardening – all about ALLIUMS /12
Alliums The Allium family includes various ornamental and edible plants, such as garlic, onions, shallots, scallions, chives, and leeks. Chives are particularly easy to grow in flower pots. While some people report that their chives „die,“ this is often because the plant has simply reached the end of its season. With proper care, they will usually regrow in the spring. To extend the growing season, trim chives regularly and remove flowers (which are edible) before they dry and release seeds. If grown in a garden, chives can be left to complete their life cycle, flower, and reseed themselves, ensuring regrowth in the same spot the following year. Planting and harvesting…
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Simple gardening – all about GOURDS /11
Gourds (Cucurbitaceae) When we talk about gourds, we refer to a broad group that includes pumpkins, melons, cucumbers, squashes, and zucchini. These plants come in many varieties, ranging from edible types to those grown primarily for ornamental and crafting purposes due to their hard shells. In this book, we will focus on edible gourds. Planting and harvesting gourds Planting and propagating I recommend starting all gourds as seedlings in the greenhouse before transplanting them into the garden. Directly sowing seeds outdoors can be risky, as providing the ideal combination of warmth and moisture needed for germination may be difficult. Gourd seeds require a lot of moisture to sprout, but overly…