We are increasingly concerned about what we consume. And what better way to have control over what we are preparing in our kitchen than by growing it ourselves? We bring you some recommendations when it comes to making a home garden.
The trend of having one's own vegetable garden is gaining more and more strength. Ornamental plants are joined by aromatic plants, so-called medicinal plants, vegetables and even fruit. Everything depends on our needs, pleasures, tastes and the space we have available to begin this project that will beautify our home, give us peace of mind, relaxation, entertainment and food.
What should we take into account to start our garden at home?
The Palomá Social Foundation, dedicated to promoting environmental projects, offers us the first steps to take into account for our project:
1. Space available: The ideal is to have a patio, a yard, a terrace, a large window or a balcony. In any case, there are two conditions that the space must meet: it must be open to the sun and have excellent ventilation for air circulation.
2. Planting containers: We can use baskets, drawers, jars, vases, fine cloth bags, containers, in short, any element in which we can pour soil. If you have a terrace, it is recommended to use the so-called "horizontal gardens" that are located against a wall. These are widely used at home because they take up little space and are easy to maintain.
3. What do I want to plant?: If you are a beginner, you should start with the easiest. If you like herbs, experts recommend planting mint, peppermint, oregano or thyme, as they grow easily. The easiest vegetables to grow are cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, peppers and spinach. If you like salads or seasonings, cilantro and green onions are easy to grow at home.
4. Care: In addition to providing them with good sun and air, it is necessary to fertilize the soil every two weeks, turn it over every three days so that it does not become compacted, and water it with water at least every two days, trying to only moisten it. We must also be careful that our plants are not being attacked by any fungus, animal or insect, in which case we must take measures or even replant the plants.
What benefits do we get from having a garden at home?
After a month, and if we have been consistent with our plants, they could already be providing us, outside of a natural environment, peace, comfort and food.
Other benefits are:
1. We become environmentally aware and better understand the importance of protecting nature and water. Children acquire the habit of caring and learn basic botanical concepts.
2. We do moderate exercise and this is because, while we are working in our garden, we perform movements that are beneficial for our body.
3. We eat more vegetable fiber, whose benefits will keep our intestines clean and healthy.
4. We promote sustainable consumption because, as we work in our garden, we can harvest plants for our food. This also means savings on our expenses.
5. We reuse some waste by preparing compost for our plants.
Normally, To grow a plant we only need seeds and a good place to bury them. Or we can sow plants that have already germinated or are developing and take out 'offshoots', which we can place in other containers. As time goes by, we will acquire the necessary knowledge so that everything we sow will sprout.
