Grow Your Own Magical Garden

Organic backyard farming is getting more and more popular as a lot of people are looking at new ways to be self-sufficient and not rely so much on store-bought produce.

During the Covid 19 pandemic it is no surprise that we have been witness to high prices of vegetables and in many cases dwindling stock supplies. This has resulted in many wannabe gardeners trying their hand at self-provisioning and why not. The small urban backyard can be the perfect location to grow some amazing fruits and vegetables and the good news is you don't need a great deal of space.

Everything Under the Sun

There are so many great reasons to start growing The humble vegetable garden is sustainable, it is better for your health, and it is a great way to enjoy fresh nutritional food, right in your own backyard

There's nothing better than eating homegrown vegetables and fruit from your own home that you have grown yourself either on a window sill, balcony pot, or a designated patch in your backyard. Consuming produce with no chemical additives or pesticides is a huge plus and it also means you are reducing your carbon footprint and there are many small changes you can make that will reduce the impact you and your garden have on the planet  Homegrown food uses less water in relation to the amount of food harvested and less store-bought food means less packaging, less time on a truck, fewer carbon emissions, and the elimination of plastic food wrapping waste.

If you are lucky enough to have a vegetable garden in your backyard the act of tending to your garden will help you get outdoors and get that little bit of sun each day that the experts say we all need. It's a great way to get back to nature and to feel one with the earth  Whether you live in a small apartment or are lucky enough to live with a decent size backyard the ways and means of creating your own backyard farm is an easy reality It will certainly make you healthier as the vitamin and mineral content will be higher in your own homegrown produce. Watching your homemade garden grow is one of the most satisfying things to do especially if you grow the things you really love to eat There are a few things to remember that will make your backyard farming a success  Location Location Location 

Make sure the area that you designate for your plants is one that will benefit its growth. Choosing the most applicable spot for your garden would be one that receives the right amount of sunlight and is relatively protected from harsh elements For a vegetable garden to be successful at least 5 hours of sun per day is advisable and be sure to position your plants in an area that's not too windy Planter boxes on wheels are a great way to move crops around and away from the elements if need be. Having plants separate from other garden plants will help protect them from neighbouring roots and also decrease the threat of nearby bushes and plants to leech nutrients and water from the soil in turn harming your veggies. 

Climate is Everything

Be sure to grow in season and take advantage of the climate that’s right for the vegetables and fruit you want to grow. Certain vegetables will thrive in warmer weather where others may prefer the cooler climates 

Companion planting is a great way to ward off pests and the nosey wildlife that may come around looking for a quick snack. Growing two complementary plants together can assist in repelling pests Onions and carrots are perfect to be grown together as the pungent smell of onion can protect the carrots from sneaky little animals wanting to take a bite. The aroma of Basil can also repel aphids that love to feast on tomato plants. 

Black Gold

You can recycle organic kitchen waste to make a rich beautiful compost that your plants will love. By adding compost to the soil it introduces many valuable living organisms and microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi, which will assist in the growth and nourishment of the plant It can also be an added as a natural pesticide for the soil We empty our used coffee pods and sprinkle the grounds over the soil of our plants and we also use the leftover ash from our fire pit. Fireplace ashes can be used as compost and they will help to maintain the neutral condition of the compost, the ash from wood can help keep the alkalinity within the soil Adding mulch to the garden will help to retain moisture during warm summer months and will keep the weeds at bay Don't forget to water but not too much Everyday watering is advised at first to establish the plant then taping off to every other day Letting the roots from the plant grow and find water will help build a robust strong plant.

On your first attempt at a home garden, I suggest to start off with something small so that you are not too overwhelmed Maybe take a short course in permaculture there are some amazing online courses that teach home gardening There are also some great tutorials on YouTube and various pages on Facebook that give tips and advice and in no time with some easy steps you'll soon be  creating the garden of your dreams

What's better than having food straight from your own little veggie patch straight to your plate? it doesn't get fresher than that!

I have my own little veggie garden and the delight I still have in watching my strawberries bloom and my tomatoes appear on the stems for the first time feels amazing Creating life in your own garden is just so satisfying plus it gets you outside in nature where you get to appreciate the natural world, observe the ecosystem, how appreciate how many insect lives are affected by what you are growing and how everting is all magically connected

Creating your own veggie patch is so much fun it's a great way to get the kids involved and get them off their phones and into the sunshine It will give them a sense of responsibility for the natural environment and its a great way to teach them about vegetation, and ecosystems. So what are you waiting for? Go grab some seeds and let's get planting!