Every day people are figuring out new and improved ways we can grow fruits and vegetables in the comfort of our own homes. Self-watering planters are just one of the most efficient and eco-friendly ways to do it. These boxes are perfect for beginners and people who don't have a lot of time to grow their own veggies.
Use Self-Watering Planters as Vessels
Gardening is one of the most popular pastimes in Australia. Aussies love their gardens and take good care of them. They're growing their own produce in a safer and toxic-free environment. They do this without using any pesticides or herbicides which results in much healthier herbs, veggies and fruits. You think you need to have a big backyard to start your own garden? Well, think again.
Now, we have sustainable and compact veggie planter boxes. They're a new and innovative way of growing products and maximising the space in every home or a small apartment. These containers are becoming more and more popular every day because they’re eco-friendly, practical, sustainable and space-saving.
They're made of 2 parts. The plant and the soil are in the first one. The reservoir is the second one, and it contains all of the extra water that the plant isn't currently using. With this kind of structure, the plant won't dry up because it can absorb water when it needs to. Plus, the container holds onto all of the nutrients the plant needs.
They prevent them from leaking out of the soil, making sure your plant has a sufficient amount of nutrients at all times. Even if you leave the house for a few days, you can be sure your plants won’t dry out or rot because of too much water. This is the perfect solution for people with busy schedules and a great gardening alternative in this era of global warming.
The container at the bottom also stimulates root growth which is another fantastic benefit. To reach the water, the roots have to grow and expand, making them firmer and stronger. These containers can stay on the floor, on your countertops and even hand on the wall to save you some more space. They have a simple and elegant design that will fit nicely in every setting.
Types of Veggies You Can Grow
Eating the veggies you’ve grown in your garden is an amazing experience, a rewarding experience. It’ll bring you so much happiness and satisfaction. There are plenty of veggies you can grow in the containers. Seeds aren’t an expensive investment, they just need a little bit of time to glow. Start slow and choose just a few seeds so you don’t get overwhelmed.
You will need veggie planter boxes, seeds, decent soil, water, sunlight, patience, and a little bit of time to get you started. These planters are ideal because most vegetables ask for a lot of moisture. One of the easiest to grow in the planters is garlic. Keep in mind that the garlic’s bulbs need at least 10cm of space to grow properly.
Plant it during autumn so you can harvest your fresh garlic in the spring and summer. With delicious and fresh garlic, each meal will taste amazing. You can also grow tomatoes. They’re a staple in every kitchen and an item we use all the time. They don’t need a lot of space to grow, that’s why the planters are a great vessel.
They're also good because tomatoes need a lot of water to thrive. Just make sure they have a lot of sunlight and you’re good to go. Of course, where there are tomatoes, there are cucumbers. They go hand in hand and make an amazing salad. They’re easy to grow and you can harvest them all season.
Carrots are good to grow in planters as well. Opposed to tomatoes, they need shade to grow so put them in aa shady corner of the room so you get healthy veggies. The container keeps the roots moist and cool. One of the greatest things to come out of your garden is an organic carrot that you grew yourself.
If you enjoy eating zucchini, you can plant them in subtropical regions from July to March, in moderate climates from September to January, and in colder temperatures from October to December. This is a great plant for beginner gardeners because it doesn’t require a lot of attention.
Another healthy and super-nutritious plant you can add to your containers is kale. If you live in the northern parts of Australia plant it at the beginning of July. If you live in warmer areas, autumn is the season to plant kale. Pair it with spinach which is also easy to grow.
Make sure the containers you grow spinach in are at least 12 cm deep so they have plenty of room to grow. Some other veggies you can plant are peppers, peas, lettuce, beans, broccoli, cauliflower and potatoes.
Potential Soil Problems & Solutions
Growing plants in vegetable planters doesn’t eliminate the potential dangers of damage and pests. There might be some problems from time to time just like with regular outdoor gardens. Sometimes, they can develop mould on the surface. This fungus often appears in humid climates. It's not very damaging to the plants but humans can develop allergies and have breathing difficulties.
You can easily fix this problem by simply scooping the mould away and adding some cinnamon to the affected soil. Cinnamon kills fungus and stops it from reappearing. Insects can also be an issue at times. Fruit flies re the worst of them all. They’re harmful to plants but safe for humans.
They usually appear when the soil is too wet. This creates a comfortable area for them to dwell upon because they hatch and grow in wet and damp conditions. There are two methods you can use to deal with this. If you notice them early enough you can chase them away by simply drying the soil. But if this infection lasts for a long time, you might want to make a gnat trap.
