If you live in an apartment or condo, you might have gazed longingly at gardening magazines and websites giving advice on organic gardening and wished you could grow your own tomatoes. You might have thought that organic gardening is only for those with big back yards-but you would be wrong. If you have a balcony, a patio or even a large windowsill, plus containers and the right soil, organic gardening for apartment dwellers can be a reality.
Organic gardening is not only a relaxing and rewarding pastime, but home-grown produce tastes so much better and has a higher nutrient content than store-bought. Unless clearly marked "organic," most fruit, vegetables and herbs you buy at the store may have been treated with pesticides that have been linked to certain types of cancer.
It stands to reason that you can't just grow anything in a limited space. Fruit trees, berry shrubs or potatoes are out of the question, but small vegetables and herbs will do well. In addition to herbs such as basil, rosemary and thyme, you can try radishes, green peppers, spinach and leaf lettuce. You could even try pole beans, providing the beans have room to climb.
The secret to organic gardening for apartment dwellers is the soil you use. For a miniature garden, it is best to choose soil that is specifically designed for growing vegetables. If you're not sure, look for an "organic" label or ask the nursery staff to help you. Choosing the wrong soil to grow veggies in could mean the difference between a healthy crop and disappointment.
Soil containing manure is not a good idea for apartment dwellers. Not only can manure attract flies, the smell wouldn't be very pleasant for you or your neighbors in such close proximity.
If you want to do some home composting to mix with the soil, you will need a container specifically for that purpose. You can either buy a commercial composting container or use any container with a tight-fitting lid. Having a lid on your container is extremely important, as waste from the kitchen can attract pests and cause an unpleasant odor.
Items suitable for home composting are fruit and veggie scraps, crushed eggshells, tea leaves, coffee grounds and newspaper. Gardeners don't advise adding meat, cooked food, bread products or dairy to the compost, as these foods will create odor and attract pests.
To keep insects at bay, you will need to use a pest control. The safest kind for an organic garden is Diatomaceous Earth, or DE for short. DE is environmentally friendly and completely safe on any plant you might want to grow. When using DE, be sure to wet the plants first so that the powder sticks to the leaves. You might want to use a surgical mask, though, because DE powder can cause respiratory problems for some people.
Organic gardening for apartment dwellers doesn't have to be a dream. With the right space, the correct soil, plenty of sunshine, enough water and a little bit of work, it can be a healthy reality.
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