In the last decade as the real estate price skyrockets, most of us can only afford to call a match box sized apartment our home. But will this be a barrier in the way of our home gardening? We all dream to have at least a mini garden from which we can yield small herbs or decorative flowers. So let me introduce a new concept of “Micro Gardening”. This is a slightly broader term used to accommodate all the technologies which use space efficient farming systems.
What is “Micro Gardening”?
As the name suggests, “Micro Gardening” is a form of gardening but in a really small area. Maybe the two feet by six feet small balcony or that one big window of our apartments can be a “Micro Garden”. Here even a small tub can have its own ecology. This concept uses the maximum utilisation of space where every inch will act as a part of the garden. There are certain rules also; for instance one cannot plant big trees in a Micro Garden. Thus by choosing the right plants and a bit of clever management of space a perfect mini garden can be created in our small abode.
How to be a “Micro Gardener”?
It’s very easy to become a “Micro Gardener”, one only needs to make a Micro Garden. We need to carefully use the little room we have along with choosing all the right plants and containers to plant those into. Some things are very crucial for this to ensure optimised production in this case. No one wants a liveless garden at the end of the day. Sustainability is also a point to be considered. Without this, the outcome of the garden will not be as expected and one might very soon be over with this.
The following few strategies can help one build a very efficient garden with little space and resources they have on hand:
Places for the garden:
As area optimization is a huge deal, one has to think out of the box. Balconies, windows, rooftops, stairs, a wall where there is adequate light and air passage; any of these can be turned into a garden.
Containers for gardening: We cannot always use conventional pots and planter boxes. Trash cans, grow bags, teapots or coffee tins, small plastic buckets and many more reusable stuff. We just need to make sure that it is not contaminated with toxins and also that the pot has drainage holes. If the container has no holes on its own, we have to drill it ourselves.
Utilise modern technologies: We need to utilise technologies like vertical gardens. We can make stairs-like racks on the windows or a wall where there is enough supply of sunlight and air, on which we can hang small pots with herbs or flower plants. We can also utilise the no soil gardening methods, this will help keep our indoors clean if we are planting inside of our homes.
Choose the correct plants: We are creating a small garden, we cannot grow big trees. Various kinds of herbs like basil, mint, dill, rosemary, oregano, chives and coriander, lettuce of all kinds, dwarf bok choy, peppers, dogwood, daisy are usually small plants which are best for mini gardens. Creeper type plants like peas, cucumbers, bougainvillaea can be planted along the windows.
Through micro gardening, many urban dwellers who have no access to yards, are enjoying the warmth of getting something homegrown. Lets not get down thinking we cannot have a garden as an apartment renter, because through micro gardening, we can achieve our dreams and complete our hobby in no time.
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Writer,
Rifah Zakiah
Intern,
Content Writing Department
YSSE