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Everything You Need to Know about Growing Veggies
One of the best parts about being vegan is getting to try out a range of different fruits and veggies that you probably would not otherwise think of trying. Substituting your favorite orange chicken dish for orange cauliflower, or adding colorful dragonfruit to your morning smoothie can be fun ways to explore all the vegan options available, if we only give them a chance.
For anyone who lives in an urban area, it may be hard to feel connected to all the wonderful raw produce out there if you always have to buy the ingredients from a grocery store. So why not try growing your own vegetable garden instead? Certain veggies can be grown virtually anywhere, as long as they are potted correctly and have enough space. Even in your high-rise, your vegetable garden can thrive.
Where to Begin
While urban gardening may seem like a challenge at first, the best way to start is by deciding what type of urban garden your outdoor area can sustain. Some urban homes may offer a spacious rooftop or deck, but others may only have limited window ledges or balconies. Some options for an urban garden include:
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Raised beds
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Container gardening
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Lasagna gardening
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Vertical gardening
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AeroGardening
Container gardening is probably the easiest option of these, as there are a variety of container styles available like clay, plastic, or terracotta. Simply find a container that is the appropriate size for your plants and their root systems, add dirt and compost, and that’s it. This is also a great way to easily manage the plant’s environment, as the containers can be easily moved and kept anywhere there is ample sunlight.
What Vegetables Make Great Companions
Many vegetables can make a great patio container garden. But which ones should you choose? Starting with a staple vegetable, like carrots, potatoes, onions, or beetroot as these are easy options to test out how your garden will grow. From there, you can enhance your garden by introducing companion plants to grow alongside these staples. Companion planting makes the most use of space and can also deter pests. Some companion planting options include:
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Carrots with onions, peas, radishes, lettuce, cabbages, and leek
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Tomatoes with cabbages, carrots, and onions
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Peas with beans, carrots, cucumber, and radishes
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Beetroot with brussels sprouts sprouts, broccoli, onions, and cabbages