I wrote an article about the downside of urban gardening, but I didn’t address the pros. I’m not against this “new” food movement (it’s not “new”, but somewhat “trendy” nowadays), but there is an educational process and techniques for successful gardening.
I interviewed Kashi’s gardening expert and co-founder of SavvyGardening.com, Tara Nolan, for tips.
What tips do you have for people with limited gardening space? It’s not hard to reap a generous harvest from a sunny balcony or tiny patio. You can grow fruits and veggies in containers or even hanging baskets. If you have a small growing area, use trellises or stakes to train plants like peas, small squash and cucumbers to grow up rather than out. Look for patio varieties of tomatoes that are smaller and more compact plants.
What are the most common mistakes people make when they start gardening? I would say one mistake is not reading the plant tag. Different plants have different care requirements – light, water, fertilizer, etc. Paying attention to those plant tags will help you nurture your plants throughout the season. Also over- or under-watering could limit a new gardener’s success.
Are there any vegetables or fruits just not suitable for urban gardening? I know mushrooms are very porous, so they are not recommended for urban gardening, but anything else? Also, sometimes vegetables grown on proper farmland from rural areas just tastes better, how come? I’m game to try anything, but I have not had success with corn –the raccoons got to my plants. For small spaces, plants that require a ton of space like zucchini, melons and pumpkins could also be challenging.
Not all seeds are created equal, so which brand is reliable? Or how can we tell a good quality seed? There are a few companies that I trust to provide good seeds based on blogs I’ve read, trusted reviews and fellow gardeners, etc. I divvy up my seed order to try and support them all. Seed companies I trust include The Cottage Gardener, Urban Harvest, Matchbox Garden & Seed Co., Renee’s Garden and Cubit’s Organics. But that is not a complete list!
Do seeds expire? Seeds can lose their viability over time. It’s important to keep them in a cool, dry place in an airtight container. The germination rate will decrease as the seeds get older and there is a little test you can perform to check. That said, I have some tomatillo plants that I started this winter from seeds that were at least seven years old!
What fruits and vegetables require a more professional or experienced gardener to take on? I suppose something like a fruit tree that requires more care might be best left to a more experienced gardener, but I like to encourage newbie gardeners to experiment and see where their veggie garden ideas will take them – provided they’re not spending tons of money!
Find Mijune judging the Tequila cocktail competition at the Tequila Expo on May 31st. Find out more about Mijune at FollowMeFoodie.com or follow her on Twitter and Instagram @followmefoodie.
