GROUND WORK
Now is a good time to find your gardening style, says Sarah O’Neil
How does your garden grow?
Back in the good old days most gardens were dug straight into the ground and that was how it was done. And to be honest there is nothing wrong with growing in this way. People have been doing it for millennia with great results. But these days, people are looking for something different, something progressive, something to suit their values and personal philosophies. Something that adapts better to a smaller yard or a busy lifestyle. The good thing is, there are so many different ways to get the same end result — a sweet, crunchy carrot or juicy red tomato — that there is no such thing as the wrong way and there is something for everyone.
Square Foot Gardening
If space is limited, this is a great method. Garden beds are divided into equal grids that suit a certain number of plants, depending on what they are. The soil is specifically prepared for this technique to allow for plants to grow a little closer than normal. For those who like a bit of structure, it is a very orderly way to grow vegetables.
Vertical gardening
Even if you don’t feel you have the space for a garden, there is a way. Passionate urban gardeners have been very inventive and creative in order to make gardening in small city spaces possible. Vertical gardening is very popular and there are plenty of products available to help use every spare wall, fence and balcony rail. There is no excuse not to garden.
Intensive Gardening
If you have a modest garden and want to get the most out of it, this is a technique you may want to try. The key to success here is to start with a very rich soil and then plant into every available space, not necessarily in rows. As soon as plants are removed, the space is reused with new plants. Planting this close together can keep the weeds down, but can be more susceptible to pest and disease, because of reduced airflow.
Lasagne Gardening
If your soil is poor and you have to build raised beds, the cost of filling them with rich soil soon adds up. This method is almost like composting in situ and is a style of no-dig gardening. The structure of the garden is built up with alternating layers of brown and green materials. It is better to start a garden like this in the autumn to allow the materials to break down in time for spring. If you do want to start in the spring, a layer of compost or soil on the top will make a good planting medium.
Hydroponics
If you want fresh food but don’t like to get your hands dirty this is the method for you. There is a bit of a set up with specialised equipment but once you are under way you can grow most vegetables in the nutrient-enriched, aerated water that is pumped past the roots.
Straw Bale
If you want to grow outside the box you could consider straw-bale gardening. This will require a bit of research before you start to ensure a successful harvest, but can be particularly useful if you only have a hard surface to work with.
Hugelkultur
If you have poor soil and poor drainage and don’t mind a bit of hard work setting things up then this is a great solution for you. It starts with a pile of rotting logs and organic material at the base and is covered over with soil to plant into. It is a little like a lasagne garden but more intense as the logs eventually break down to give a rich base. This kind of garden needs less watering and feeding.
Organic Gardening
If your reason for gardening is that you are concerned about providing the healthiest food for your family, this natural system avoids commercial and synthetic fertilisers and pest controls. It has a holistic approach from the way the soil is prepared, to how pests and disease are controlled, and through the use of beneficial insects and using seeds known to be organic. Organic gardens can be more work, but knowing where your food comes from and what has happened to it gives you peace of mind.
Permaculture
This style of gardening can become a way of life. The garden is created to be a closed system where everything has a useful purpose and all waste is returned to the garden. This natural system is a sustainable food-production system by working with nature instead of trying to control it.
Food Forests
This low-maintenance system that is an edible version of forests in nature. Plants are grown in layers from tall fruit trees to shrubs, ground covers and even root crops, all growing together in a three-dimensional ecosystem. There are so many different ways to grow food. Now is a good time to do your research and find a gardening style that suits you so you are ready for the spring growing season. From sticking with the conventional to adopting a sustainable lifestyle, growing food for your family will always be a rewarding thing to do. There is nothing to hold you back.