Grow Vegetables in Your Apartment

Grow Vegetables in Your Apartment

how to grow vegetables in balcony?

Gardens are no more spacious and the urban population takes up as much place as it can. Fresh fruits and veggies from gardens are no more possible because of the ever increasing population. However, you have another chance, an alternative to end up this problem. It is the kitchen gardens concept. You can grow your own vegetables even if you are in an apartment. You can grow the gardens in

  • In the balcony
  • On the fence
  • An in the containers that can be placed on the apartment windows

Here are a few things that let you grow your kitchen garden successfully

Decide What To Grow:

  • Remember that an apartment do not offer freedom for a full fledged garden in your kitchen
  • So decide what you can grow based on the space you have

A Few Veggies That You Can Grow Are

  • Tomato
  • Spring Onions
  • Radish
  • Capsicum
  • Brinjal
  • Mint
  • Curry leaf
  • Coriander
  • Green chilly
  • Salad greens
  • Cucumber
  • However, you cannot grow onions and potatoes easily

Choosing The Containers:

  • While you choose the containers, you need to think about the space you get and what vegetable you need to grow
  • Curry leaf and chilly require small pots
  • Cucumber and capsicum require larger pots
  • You can choose window boxes if you want beautiful containers
  • Stone pots enable plants to breathe, but they cannot be moved easily
  • Wooden containers leave a foul smell
  • When you use any container, place a plastic saucer underneath to avoid spillage of water
  • For hanging plants used plastic buckets and containers are good
  • If the containers have a small opening, do not use them
  • In the pots, make some drain holes for excess water to flow away

Seeds:

  • Many nurseries provide good quality seeds
  • Make sure that the roots are not damaged while you plant
  • You can also use the seeds from tomato, bitter gourd etc

Soil:

It is essential to use light and disease free soil. It should have the capacity to retain moisture. Use organic manure and composed manure. Organic kitchen waste can too be used.


Watering:

Water the plants everyday and make sure you do not water the plants excessively as it leads to disease in plants


Fertilizers:

You can find many chemical fertilizers in the market. It is better to use the liquid fertilizers,also you can make a solution of neem leaves and flowers and spray the same on the plants.


Disease:

  • Check plants regularly for diseases
  • Follow companion gardening. For instance, garlic planted between tomatoes keeps pests away

Tips:

  • Always plant the new plants in April, May and June
  • Do not plant trees on the terrace
  • Over exposure to the sun can damage the trees
  • Water the plants two times a day
  • Place the plants in moderate sunlight
  • However, make sure they get enough sunlight for the process of photosynthesis
  • You need to select the high quality seeds, because they are highly responsible for the growth of good plants.

Reviewed By:

Dr. Kaushal M. Bhavsar (MBBS, MD)

Assistant Professor in Pulmonary Medicine, GMERS Medical College, Ahmedabad