As many people are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of organic and whole foods, the popularity of health gardens is on the rise.
People are moving away from mass-produced supermarket food and looking at the benefits of growing their own fruits and vegetables from home.
In the right conditions, you can grow enough food to keep your kitchen stocked all year round.
Saving money is just one of the benefits that having a health garden can bring.
As well as seeing the benefits in your bank account, you’re likely to notice benefits to your health too.
Furthermore, those who grow their own vegetable gardens can find it quite a therapeutic hobby.
You can use your garden as a space to visit and relax, in addition to growing food to cook at home.
We’ll consider some of the ways you can keep a health garden in optimum condition and utilize it for the benefit of the whole household.
Table of Contents
- 1. Decide What You Want from the Garden
- 2. Know How Much Water to Use
- 3. Have a Backup Plan When You’re Away
- 4. Protect Your Garden
- 5. Look After the Soil
- Conclusion
1. Decide What You Want from the Garden
Knowing exactly what you want from your health garden can help you to find the best way forward.
If you want to grow summer plants such as tomatoes and cucumbers, your garden will need to be in an area which receives adequate sunlight.
On the other hand, potatoes, herbs, and many leafy greens do not require large levels of sunlight.
If you already have a space to use, explore which fruits and vegetables will grow best under the conditions.
Some people transform their garden into a holistic wellbeing space where they can spend time relaxing.
This can be a great option if you have enough space for some furniture and don’t feel like you will compromise on gardening space.
You can make your health garden into your perfect space!
2. Know How Much Water to Use
The amount of water your plants need will depend on several factors, including the type of plants and the soil they are growing in.
Sandy soil, for example, will dry out faster than clay soil which can retain more water.
Plants growing under direct sunlight are likely to need more water to keep them healthy and sustained.
In dry and warm weather, your plants might need water every day. In the cooler months, they are unlikely to need daily watering.
Depending on the type of plant and the weather conditions, you may be able to water them just 1-2 times per week.
Check the guidance for any new plants you buy to find out more about the best conditions for them to grow.
3. Have a Backup Plan When You’re Away
Keeping on top of your health garden can be challenging if you travel with your job or plan to take an extended vacation.
Investing time and effort into growing a beautiful garden at home can make you feel like you shouldn’t take time away.
However, it’s important to have a backup plan for these situations and call on a trusted friend or neighbor to help take care of your garden when you’re not at home.
Leave a note with the details of how your garden needs to be cared for.
Pay particular attention to any special details which might not be obvious to someone else.
Point out any hidden plants which might go unnoticed otherwise, and be clear on how much water each of the plants will need.
4. Protect Your Garden
Your garden can bring you many benefits, but only if you take care of it properly.
A large part of effectively growing a garden at home is to protect it from pests and other wildlife that may destroy your plants.
Use fencing, mesh, and plant covers to protect any particularly fragile or vulnerable plants.
During early stages of growth, consider putting summer plants in a greenhouse so they are fully protected from unstable weather conditions as well as garden pests.
5. Look After the Soil
Your entire garden will need a sufficient level of attention to thrive, and this includes the soil.
One of the ways you can keep your soil in great condition is to regularly add compost.
You can easily create your own compost bin at home and recycle leftover vegetables and fruits.
Over time, this will turn into compost which will give your garden’s soil a new lease of life.
Manure can also be used in your garden to provide many nutrients for the soil and plants.
If you are growing edible plants, choose composted manure instead of fresh manure to avoid any bacterial contamination.
Manure helps the soil to retain water and keep your garden in optimum condition.
Conclusion
Maintaining a fantastic and healthy garden can benefit your overall wellbeing and save you money on groceries in the medium and longer term.
By following some key steps, you can keep your plants in great condition and put delicious food on the table for months to come.