Bulletin #2761, #ContainerGardening Series: #GardeningInSmallSpaces
Developed by Extension Specialists Richard E. Durham and Deborah B. Hill, University of Kentucky. Adapted for Maine by Associate Extension Professors Donna Coffin, Kathy Hopkins, and Frank Wertheim, and Extension Agriculture Coordinator Casey Bowie, The University of Maine. Reviewed by Associate Extension Professor Marjorie Peronto, The University of Maine.
Revised by Donna Coffin, Extension Professor, Pamela Hargest, Horticulture Professional and Kate Garland, Horticulture Professional, University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
"Gardening, in one form or another, is often described as one of the most popular hobbies in the United States, and rightly so. Involvement by people in gardening activities helps promote healthy habits including:
- Exercise
- Healthy food
- Food safety & security
- Stress & anxiety reduction
So, most would agree that gardening is a worthwhile endeavor. However, when most people think of a garden, they imagine a large field that has been plowed with long, neat rows spaced 3 or 4 feet apart to allow cultivation by a tractor or tiller. Gardening on such a scale is impossible for city dwellers, considering that residential lot sizes continue to decrease and more and more people are choosing to live in townhomes, condominiums, or apartments.
Our modern landscapes have little enough room for outdoor leisure in general, not to mention gardening. Nevertheless, you would be surprised at the number of vegetables that can be produced in a very small area. A cherry tomato seedling project in Piscataquis County averaged over $9.50 worth of cherry tomatoes from each seedling. When gardening in a small space, there is little need for spacing plants in rows, so planting can be more efficient. Also, placing plants in a bed or container reduces the need to walk in or closely around your plants. This reduces the chance that soils will become compacted and need frequent tilling. And with a little planning, even residents of apartments and condominiums can grow vegetables on their patios. Raised-bed and container gardening may also allow those with limited mobility to garden.
This publication will outline three common methods for gardening in small spaces:
- Raised-bed gardening
- Square Foot Gardening
- Layer gardening"
Learn more:
#SolarPunkSunday #GrowYourOwnFood
#GrowYourOwn #GardeningInMaine
#FoodSecurity
Cooperative Extension Publications
Bulletin #2761, Container Gardening Series: Gardening in Small Spaces - Cooperative Extension Publications - University of Maine Cooperative Extension
With a little planning, even residents of small spaces such as apartments and condominiums can grow vegetables on their patios. Raised-bed and cont...