Not sure how to use all that extra time you have because of quarantine? In this blog we bring you an idea that will not only help clear your mind, but also help you eat healthier.
In a society where we are used to buying fast food and many of the products we use in our kitchens are full of chemicals and fertilizers, using natural foods becomes a necessity for our health.
So we're going to give you some tips so you can grow your own vegetables at home, in a small space where you'll reap big benefits.
Choosing the space
The first step is to choose the spot in your home where you'll set up your garden. It doesn't have to be a very large space.
We recommend two types of gardens you can build in a small space: horizontal, which could go in your home's yard, or vertical, on a wall or balcony.
With either option, make sure the space gets plenty of sunlight. Depending on what you plan to grow, you'll need between 5 and 6 hours of direct sun per day.
Some vegetables, such as garlic, onion, cucumber or parsley, need direct sunlight, while others, such as lettuce, spinach, leek or radish, grow well in the shade.
Another important point when choosing the garden's location is easy access to a water source, whether because you need to water the crop or connect an irrigation or drip system.
Remember that you'll also need to drain the excess water you add, so be sure to take that into account.
To plant your favorite vegetables, you can use small pots, or build a one-square-meter wooden box on the ground and divide it into equal 25cm squares, giving you 16 equal-sized spaces where you can plant different types of vegetables or plants.
Selecting the soil and seeds
For this type of planting, the best option is fertile, loose, spongy soil with good liquid and nutrient retention, which you can find at any garden center.
How you plant will depend a lot on the type of seed you've selected. For smaller seeds, it's best to germinate them first in a protected environment, such as a mini pot, disposable cups or another small container, and then transplant them to their permanent growing spot.
With larger seeds that are easy to handle, or those that don't adapt well to transplanting, you can sow directly.
Some of the seeds recommended for small gardens are: onion, garlic, lettuce, spinach, radish, cilantro, beet, carrot, basil, tomato, parsley, celery, among others.
Watering
It's best to water your plants in the morning, since evaporation is minimized, or at night to make better use of the water. But be careful with the amount of water you use, since build-up suffocates the plants' roots.
Harvesting
It's important to harvest at least once a month, preferably in the morning or afternoon. If you don't pick the ripe fruit, the plant could die.
If it's a plant whose edible part is the leaves, always pick the outermost leaves.
By growing your own garden at home, you encourage responsible consumption, because not only do you eat in a much more natural way, but you also help the environment by eliminating the chemicals and fertilizers found in many products.