Small space. Big potential.
There is nothing quite like the first bite of your own homegrown tomato. The satisfaction of serving up your own lettuce or washing up your nobbly bobbly potatoes ready for a roast.
Many people think that size is key but having a small space shouldn't stop you from putting on some gloves, grabbing a spade and realising your self-sufficient dream. We have some tips and tricks for utilising small spaces to maximise your veg growing potential!
Companion Planting
This method does take some planning and organisation but it is a great way of saving on space, enhancing productivity and controlling pests. By planting two or more crop species together, you can achieve higher yields and better soil quality while cutting down a considerable amount of space usage.
Planting tomatoes alongside lettuce gives the lettuce its required shade while the lettuce repels all tomato-loving pests - all while taking up minimal space in your garden.
Chives make a great companion for most plants as their scent deters green flies - it’s also a great companion for a salmon salad!
Other companions include:
Broad beans and potatoes, cabbage and celery, mushrooms and fruit trees, tomatoes and roses and dwarf French beans with kale.
Think Vertical
Vertical planting is the saving grace for any small gardens and doesn’t need to cost the world. Living walls and hanging baskets can also be a great design statement; they break up harsh colours and lines in any modern setting.
There are many ways to achieve a vertical garden. If you are all about upcycling, attaching a pallet to your wall (preferably south-facing) is an inexpensive method for vertical planting. It allows you to attach containers while also supporting plants as they climb. Alternatively, a trellis would work just as well and are available to buy at Wellington.
For a more decorative look, we also stock a wide range of garden obelisks that remove the need for a wall. Simply place the obelisk over your climbing plant and watch it grow! This is a great method for runner beans. You can find our range of obelisks and arches on our partner site, English Salvage Ltd, linked HERE.
If you are using plant pots, get yourself a plant stand or ladder to lift them off the ground. This makes it easier to examine your veggies while reducing their required floor space.
Plant your cherry tomatoes in hanging baskets, your salad in window boxes and you could even have herbs in your kitchen in some pretty hanging pots!
Greenhouses
Vegetables often need a helping hand in their first stages which is where a green house comes in handy. However, they take up a lot of valuable space in your garden.
Investing in a cold frame or growhouse is a great alternative. At Wellington Home and Gardens, we have a range of grow pots, tables and houses to fit any garden, patio or balcony. They come with lids that create the perfect microclimate for your new seedlings! Ask a member of staff on your next visit and we will be happy to help.
Space-saving veggies to grow
An easy way to save on space (and frustration) is to learn what plants you should be growing… and which to avoid!
Avoid crops that take months to grow (i.e. parsnips or pumpkins) and crops that need a lot of room (i.e. asparagus). We stock a range of smaller “patio” varieties that have been bred to thrive in smaller spaces. Our favourite is the “Totem” tomato that produces more fruit than foliage and is compact enough for any urban garden.