#28. Growing Vegetables in Small Spaces
Avid vegetable gardeners enjoy of having enough space in the garden to plant as many varieties as possible. Some of us are less fortunate than others with the space we have to garden in. There never seems to be enough room for all the things you would like to grow in your vegetable garden.
If you are one of the frustrated gardeners, ruing the lack of space in your vegetable patch, you can try the tips presented here to help you resolve your problem to some extent.
Vertical gardening
Vertical gardening is exactly as the name suggests; vegetable plants are trained to grow upright rather than on the ground. As a strategy, it works wonders for gardeners who need to make the most of the small space they have. The trick is to be consistent in your use of the vertical method throughout your garden.
Most vine plants like tomatoes and cucumbers can be grown vertically with the help of trellises. Vertical growing is said to promote a more vigorous growth. Imagine a plant that utilizes four square feet of garden, taking up half that amount of space with vertical gardening.
This method of gardening is believed to improve crop conditions. When you keep your plants off the soil, you are preventing them from contracting soil borne diseases. Some vegetables that are allowed to lie on the soil can rot because of excessive moisture. Vertical gardening reduces the chances of ending up with rotten vegetables.
Inter-planting
Inter-planting is actually another term for companion planting. This method has been around for a long time. Experienced gardeners have learned the value of planting vegetables, herbs and flowers in combinations that benefit each other and the soil in some instances.
Inter-planting helps to maximize space most importantly and it also helps to control pests and enhance flavor.
Inter-planting and organic gardening are an unbeatable combination for increased crop yields and healthy crops.
An example of inter-planting would be what is termed the “Three Sisters Garden” concept. It involves planting three varieties in one hill in the garden. You plant a corn stalk, a green bean vine that can be trained to grow around the corn stalk and a squash plant around the base of the corn stalk. The corn will provide shade for the squash, the bean will provide nitrogen to the soil and the squash will cover the ground preventing weeds from attacking. These plants complement each other and help each other to grow.