We share different growing techniques using all the new gadgets to increase yields and grow the best products ever!
Richmond, BC
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EXPERT TIPS FOR URBAN GROWING Growing your food can be really fulfilling and exciting for the whole family! And you don't necessarily need to have a farm or a large property. Urban farming is the name of the game. Vegetables are particularly easy to grow, you just need to make sure you provide enough soil and water. There are two reasons why you should provide enough soil: The first reason is to supply the necessary nutrients to the plants and the second is to lock in more moisture. The more moisture your soil retains, the less frequently you will need to water your vegetables. This saves you time and money. In urban areas people are usually constrained on plot sizes. This calls for creativity to make maximum use of available space, including vertical space. I'm a big believer in Vertical Farms which could be a shelving unit or hanging baskets, etc. If you choose to grow your vegetables in containers, you'll need to find containers measuring about 12 inches wide and 12 inches deep and drill some "weeping holes" through the bottom & sides to allow drainage of excess water. Lined the bottom with some porous fabric or some rocks that will allow water to drain but prevent soil from escaping. Depending on the plants you choose to grow will also determine the size of the container's to be used. I always check what size the root ball of the plant will be during the growing season. I prefer more space for the roots to grow than less. ALL PLANTS ARE NOT MADE EQUAL Please remember that all vegetables are not made equal. Cucumbers will usually require a container of at least 20 inches in diameter. You can experiment with different pots/buckets and mix it up to whatever you like or fits your area. Growing the plants you need to provide just the right environment for them to thrive. Make sure you provide enough support for plants, such as tomatoes. GETTING THE RIGHT SOIL You must exercise utmost care when it comes to selecting the ideal soil. Generally, you want a type of soil that drains well, is soft enough to allow roots to pe*****te and is nutrient-rich. Often the soil on your plot is not the right one, as it's what was left over during construction. This means you have to find the right potting mix, tested for PH and mineral composition, from elsewhere until you can build your own good soil. You'll need about three pints of soil for a six inch pot and six-and-a-half gallons mix for a twenty inch pot. PLANTING YOUR CONTAINER GARDEN Fill the containers with potting mix only leaving approximately one inch between the soil level and the container's brim. Then plant your vegetables seedlings from a nursery and add some more potting mix around the plant. You need to to be patient when transferring your seedlings from the nursery because if you rush it, you could end up harming the plants. Be gentle with seedlings as so you don't break the stems or leaves. Just tip the container upside down and place your fingers in between the stem and release the seedling. You can squeeze the sides of the container to help release the seedling. There are other vegetables such as, spinach, radishes and carrots, that you can grow by planting their seeds. Once you have done the planting, go ahead and water thoroughly, letting the water drain out of the holes at the bottom of the pot. Water two more times to be sure the soil is well drained and watch out for any exposed roots. If you find any, make sure you cover them with potting mix. SOW GENEROUSLY The rule of thumb when planting seeds is to be generous. Do not worry if some plants survive and some don't, not all seeds planted will germinate and bear fruits! So, you need to plant many in order for you to have control of the amount of seedlings you will need by thinning out any extras. As soon as you have finished watering you need to ensure retention of the soil moisture for as long as possible by mulching with compost, straw, compost, or other appropriate material. ADD SOME ZEST WITH HERBS Herbs have this unbelievable ability to transform otherwise ordinary dishes into mouthwatering experiences. Even, though they can be bought off the shelf of a grocery store, nothing beats the fragrance and freshness of the herbs from your own garden, harvested in real-time. The good thing with herbs such as basil, rosemary, mint, and thyme is that they are as comfortable growing indoors as they are outdoors. The one thing I like about growing indoors besides the fragrance, is I can grow herbs year round and be able to pick many different herb variations and include them in my cooking immediately. Herbs grow well in containers. For most herbs you'll need to start with planting their seed. But once they”re growing and flourishing you'll need to give them some regular tender loving care by dividing, pruning, and harvesting. To get you fired up on herbs gardening, I would recommend you acquire a recipe book for various herbs and experience all the variations of cooking with herbs. One of my main reasons for gardening is to teach my kids how to grow food. We live in a world of grocery stores and foreign farms growing our produce and too me that's no good. TOMATOES IN A CONTAINER Tomatoes decorate most of our dishes with colour and taste. But their journey from the farm to the fork is a torturous one. They are afflicted by a wide array of pestilence every step of the way. So, you need to be more proactive dealing with the pests and diseases to avoid the plants from dying or very poor yield. I found by planting my tomatoes in containers I could control the pest problem easier because it's easier to move the container than digging up a plant out of my garden. Tomatoes like to bask in the sun so make sure your containers are placed away from the shade, in spots where they can soak up the sun. The soil type to use is important. Tomatoes particularly like well drained soil. Because tomatoes can grow really tall, you will need to grow them in a twelve inch or larger diameter container. SELECTING THE RIGHT VARIETY Like with many plants, there are many varieties bred to adapt to different climatic conditions. From the "Northern Delight" variety that are adapted to short-season areas to "Solar Set" that does extremely well in hot and humid climates, there are many varieties suitable for most areas. There are also several disease resistant varieties in case you need extra insurance against diseases. Tomatoes are very susceptible to diseases when water-stressed. Always keep your tomatoes well watered and nourished, especially during the dry spells. Apply enough mulch to keep the soil moisture in and as a barrier against disease. HOW TO MANAGE TOMATO PROBLEMS The common tomato problems include cracked fruits, caused by the plants getting too much moisture and nutrients; fruits having dry, dark areas at the ends. Usually dry, dark spots on the end of the fruits may appear because of blossom-end rot, a condition caused by hot, dry conditions or fluctuating moisture levels. You should keep your tomatoes consistently watered. Early blight is a disease that disfigures old leaves. Blight seems to be the first disease I have to deal with every year here on the West Coast of BC. I remove the leaves as soon as I observe the spots start to form, preventing it from spreading to the rest of the plant. Again the earlier you spot a problem the better the chances are for the plants to survive.
