Garden planning before you have your forever home
Even though in the winter it is cold outside. It is in the winter you want to start planning your garden. Because when the weather warms up, you want to be able to start immediately. Without having to think about where and what you want to plant. But how do you even plan if you’re currently renting and can’t alter the yard?
When we started planning our garden for this year, we knew we would be planting into containers. And we wanted containers that would allow us to grow a wide variety of veggies and herbs. So they would have to be deep enough for the roots and big enough that we would be able to plant them together.
We also knew that we would need some soil to grow all these plants in. So we looked around until we came across some good quality topsoil. And ordered a massive bag of topsoil that is currently situated in the front yard.
Some day we might be able to grow plenty of fruits and vegetables. But for now, we will focus on growing our own herbs. Since they are perennials, it will be handy to have them established, for when we have our future garden. And since you can harvest most herbs all year long here in Ireland, we will be able to enjoy the fruits of our labour all year long.
Last year we already started growing a couple of our herbs on our balcony and our windowsills. But it will be good to harden them off and see them flourish in the garden.
Grow in containers
The easiest way to still have a garden, without digging into the soil or altering the garden of your rented property is with containers. You can use any type of container, whether you buy specially made garden containers or just use an old bathtub. As long as there are drainage holes and will hold the soil, it will work. Of course, you don’t want to use anything that might expose your plants to unwanted chemicals.
We opted for specially made garden bags that were designed for raised bed gardening. This means that we could also grow deep root vegetables like carrots and broccoli. We wanted that option because then we don’t have to worry about what we want to grow.
You don’t have to buy specially made big garden containers like grow bags or wooden containers. Since you can use old bins, bathtubs, or even Ikea bags as big containers.
And if you want smaller containers, you don’t have to buy plastic or terracotta pots if you don’t want to. You might want to use old teacups, that have a crack that renders them unusable as a teacup. And they are perfect for your plants since they now have some drainage for your plants. You can even use old plastic vegetable and fruit containers to grow some smaller plants in. I love using them as makeshift saucers for my plant pots.
Soil, the vital ingredient
But now that you have decided on your plant containers, how will you fill them. Since we’re not digging into the earth, we need to bring soil in from somewhere. And if like us, you’re planning on filling big containers, a couple of small bags of potting mix isn’t going to be enough. So we ordered a big 1000 litre bag of topsoil. Since we needed more than half of that just to fill our grow bags.
Whether you buy small bags of potting mix or a ginormous bag of topsoil, you will want to estimate roughly how much you will need. That way, you will also see what type of soil is actually in line with your budget.
Since topsoil is more budget-friendly but less nutritious for your plants, you might want to splurge on compost or a potting mix if you can afford it. But you don’t have to since plants grow well enough in topsoil. And you can always give them an extra boost by mixing in some compost or by feeding them liquid compost.
Which plants do you incorporate in your garden planning
Why do you garden? That is the first question you have to ask yourself. Do you like growing flowers, so that you can have cut flowers on the kitchen table? Maybe you just want some homegrown vegetables to incorporate into your cooking. Or maybe, you just want fresh herbs at your fingertips to cook with and snack on.
Maybe you already have some plants that you really love, and you would like to have some more. If so, then you might want to read my post about propagating plants.
So look at a handful of plants you are interested in and see which climates they are suitable for. Optimal growing conditions are also stated on the back of the seed packet, as well as sowing and harvesting times. Once you know which of your preferred plants you can grow in your area, you can start planning where to plant them.
You might really love the idea to grow your own cocoa trees, but unless you live near the equator you will have quite the challenge. (unfortunately, I had to break this news to my eldest when she was planning her future garden)
But don’t forget that the main thing is to have fun while you garden.
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