Gardening gone potty

You don’t need acres of land to create your own garden. Starting with something small and manageable has plenty of advantages such as space, easier access to watering, minimal weeding and the ability to follow the sun. Just about any plant or vegetable can start out in a container.

It’s tempting to want to go with the funky, pretty pots – we know, but make sure the containers will give your plants room to grow – taking into consideration the expected size the plant should reach. Holes for drainage are important. Typically plants in clay pots need more watering than other containers.

This is key to a successful urban garden. If your garden soil has not received too much love lately, then consider commercial potting soil. The pH of your soil is important so if you are not sure how to check, there are cool gadgets from the local nursery that can help you.  Don’t be shy with the compost if your soil is out of the ideal pH range.

Do your homework before you start planting. Some species live better in an urban environment than others. Start with plants that have low water needs – these will save you time and money in the garden. Grow drought resistant veggies too – things like green beans, brinjals, beetroot, carrots or Swiss chard are considered pretty hardy.

When you plant in containers that are located in full sun, consider a layer of mulch on top of the soil to help retain moisture in the soil. Up to 70 per cent of water can evaporate from the soil on a hot day if you don’t have mulch as a protective layer on top.

Clean water is vital for any urban garden. You should water your pots in the later afternoon as this leads to healthier, stronger growing plants. The next time you boil or steam vegetables, don’t pour the water down the drain, use it to water potted patio plants, and you’ll be amazed at how the plants respond to this “vegetable soup.”

The smallest and simplest of urban gardens is simply a single pot, packed with as many herbs and veggies as possible. Get yourself a galvanized water trough, drill some drainage holes, fill it with soil and then plant complementary groups of plants together.

You’ve got these amazing herbs and now you want to cook with them – so keep it organised. There are lots of funky ways to keep your garden coordinated. Ice-cream sticks are an easy way to mark what is what. Use paint, markers, washi tape, or even chalkboard paint to style them any way you want.

• Companion planting is worth looking into when growing a variety of products in a small space. Some plants are not as compatible as others in close quarters – kind of like people.
• Sunlight is crucial, make sure that you find a place where the plant has access to at least six to eight hours of sunlight a day.