Starting your own edible space at home:
You might wonder it is hard to set up your own edible space at home. The answer is simple, NO!
Here is a step by step guide to starting your own edible space at home.
Sunlight requirement:
Before you start, sunlight is the key to grow.
Most garden vegetables such as spring onions , tomato and lettuce require 6 - 8 hours of direct sunlight daily
While herb species like mint will thrive under partial sunlight or a shady environment, 2 - 4 hours of direct sunlight will be optimal for their growth. It is important to group plants with similar light requirements together in the garden.
Homegrown tomato enjoys full sunlight.
Soil Requirement:
Instead of gardening soil which will compact in pots and prevent water flow, try creating your own potting mix, as it is lighter and remains fluffy for water and roots. Studies show that organic soil gives a better taste to the produce and a higher percentage of antioxidants and phytochemical.
60% Coco coir / Peat moss
40% Potting soil
+
Container tips:
Ideally, place a plant into a pot that's the same size it's growing in. For example, if the plant above-ground growth is around 5 cm tall, your pot should be at least 5 cm deep. The width should allow at least 2 cm of space between the roots and the side of the pot.
When a plant has outgrown its current pot, transplant it to a pot 5 to 10 cm larger in diameter. Select the larger size pot for plants that grow quickly. For slow growers, a pot that's 2.5 – 5 cm larger works as well.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Pots that are too big can cause a plant to sit in water for too long or cause nutrient burn from a large amount of nutrients the soil ends upholding. Also, soil dries too slowly would make your plant more susceptible to root rot
A pot that's too small can cause a plant to become rootbound, leaving very little soil available to hold on to water.
There are many container choices for you, from wooden boxes, water bottle, plastic bucket and even pots can be used as a container. But the key is drainage.
You need one large hole, or several smaller ones located at the base of your container. This ensures the soil a good drainage and air circulation within the soil.
Enough Distance for plants
Enough Depth for plants
A hole for water & and container to collect
Switch into a bigger pot when the plant outgrows it
Water
Plants you've just transferred into a new pot or piece of ground should have their roots and the dirt around them soaked immediately.
For the first week, provide water every other day.
After the first week, water daily and monitor the plant closely to make sure the soil stays damp. Provide extra water if the soil is dry.
New Plant
Potted plants often require more frequent watering since the soil in pots tends to dry out faster. Ideally, you want the soil to be moist at a depth of 2.5 cm. Water once or twice a day during early morning or early evening. Still the amount of water may vary from species to species. You might need to check with the store to see the optimal watering amount.
Daily Routine
1.
2.
3.
