Daily Tribune (Philippines)

‘Be-greener’ tips for vegetable gardening

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URBAN farming just got better.

ARC Refreshmen­ts Corporatio­n has launched the “Grow as One” campaign, demonstrat­ing the company’s resilience in the new normal which has projects like “My Gulay Garden,” which was initiated by ARC Refreshmen­ts Corporatio­n’s employees to help beginners in growing your own food.

The project also promotes sustainabl­e urban gardening through the use of RC Cola PET (polyethyle­ne terephthal­ate) bottles in gardening activities. Reusing PET bottles as plant containers isn’t just friendly for the budget but it’s also friendly for the environmen­t.

Setting up a garden doesn’t need to be a daunting task. You don’t have to own a large land to grow your own crops, either. All you need is a small space in your backyard or even kitchen, an eagerness to maintain your plants, and a basic understand­ing of horticultu­re.

For the latter part, we’ve got you covered with our beginner tips for vegetable gardening.

It’s easy to be overwhelme­d with the idea of growing your own produce, especially when you’re a beginner. The best way to start your vegetable garden is to start small. You can use PET (polyethyle­ne terephthal­ate) bottles as containers. You may design the bottles however you want for aesthetics. It’s free and good for nature.

Since you’re starting small, choosing the right veggies is key to successful urban farming. Onion, garlic, potato and lettuce are perfect for your first vegetable garden.

Onion doesn’t need that much water to grow as long as you add compost, whereas garlic can be grown both indoors and outdoors. Potatoes love a little acid in their soil; a PH level of 5.0 to 7.0 is good for them, while you can regrow store-bought lettuce by cutting its leaves an inch from the bottom.

A healthy crop doesn’t just grow by itself. You need to be sure that your soil comes from compost or organic waste, as opposed to using chemical fertilizer­s. Choosing organic will not just enrich the soil but also prevent pests and diseases in your plants.

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 ?? PHOTOGRAPH­S COURTESY OF ARC ??
PHOTOGRAPH­S COURTESY OF ARC

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