The magic of a small vegetable garden

small bunch of broccoli from my #kitchen garden- photo credit Carmela Kia Giambrone

When we talk about a #vegetable garden and more generally cultivation, we expect it to be huge quantities of land or at least for a #beautiful garden.

For the last few years, however, it has been clear to the most attentive that this myth has not only been widely debunked but also when it comes to the uncontrollable desire to get our hands in the #earth, made for pleasure - for example for #flowers and decorative #plants - or for #home supply - a real family vegetable #garden - what is needed is only the desire for #green, a good #design and some small prior notion.

summer harvest of lettuce- photo credit Carmela Kia Giambrone

lettuce in #handmade vegetable table- photo credit Carmela Kia Giambrone

In short, as for every trip that is respected even here just inform and #organize the "big", the rest will come by itself but above all this "surprise effect" will be the real beautiful that will enrich the whole experience.

Whether it was grandparents who gave us this desire or the #ecologist friend, whether we have always dreamed of it or a newborn #baby does not matter, we stop wanting and instead put into practice our green desire!

First of all our exhibition, that is not exactly ours but of our "plot" (be it terrace, balcony or mini garden).

If we want to grow a vegetable garden (and in general plants) with a north exposure, it will be hard, yes but not impossible.

But if the #sun kisses us, everything will be easier because we will not have problems with stagnation, rottenness or worse molds and fungi.

Which cultures to choose?

of course this depends on the #exposure, in fact, from what we love and what does not (useless to grow tomatoes if we hate them) but certainly there are also small rules that can help us in the choice.

Point one: the vegetables must be collected and used in a short time so perfect are lettuce (cutting), chicory, green beans, tomatoes, parsley, basil, celery, onions, but also savoy cabbage, brussel sprouts, peas, peppers and aubergines.

tomato plants- photo credit Carmela Kia Giambrone

Cherry tomatoes- photo credit Carmela Kia Giambrone

grapes and cherry tomatoes harvest at the end of summer- photo credit Carmela Kia Giambrone

Point two: forget asparagus and artichokes (they take up a lot of space for several years before bearing #fruit) and the same is true for watermelons and melons.

Step three: use small tricks and cunning.
For the potato, #ginger, carrot and Jerusalem artichoke, the ideal solution is to cultivate it in a bag in order to keep the dedicated space limited.

ginger ready to be planted

ginger ready to be planted- photo credit Carmela Kia Giambrone

Harvest of small potatoes grown in sack on the terrace- photo credit Carmela Kia Giambrone

Always associate the cultivation of #aromatic plants and garlic bulbs to votre plants: this limits the phytophagous and fungal attacks (try it!)

The #rotation is important, even if in pot: never sow the same plant in the same pot.

Also remember to equip yourself with non-woven fabric and straw for a good protection from the #cold in winter and an excellent #summer mulch.

Then the eternal question: #seeds or seedlings ready to be planted?

I am a fervent supporter of sowing, everything basically starts from there. The important thing is to choose good seeds: you can buy or exchange, just talk with friends and relatives and you will discover a world of lovers of greenery and horticulture. Even the most unsuspected, after all, has tried at least once to sow basil!

Once you have your plants remember to make "go to seed" at least one so as to have the seeds ready for the following year.

pumpkin seeds- photo credit Carmela Kia Giambrone

Blue morning glory seeds collected last year and ready to be sown this year- photo credit Carmela Kia Giambrone

#Online there are groups of seeds exchange, events and meetings are organized and last (but not least) also this small blog has often made the #Barter of Seeds, with great joy of the undersigned and its participants.

And then, sometimes, you do not have to forget that the seeds you need you have right under your nose: the lemon for example check very easily from #organic seeds: experiment and surprise you!

lemon plant born from seed- photo credit Carmela Kia Giambrone

If, however, time is running out and you do not have time to wait for the next barter, you can also go to nurseries and consortia to choose the seeds that are right for you.

There are pros and cons: if on the one hand it is wonderful to see a #beautiful seedling born from a small seed, it is also true that it is much more difficult and risky. In fact, we need to keep growth under control, never let the #water run out, be ready for transplanting when the time comes, and above all, do things with extreme care, because a small growing plant is much more delicate and fragile than a large plant that is sold to us in a nursery.

Finally let's remind ourselves of the times: this is the perfect moment for almost everything (but perhaps for something even a bit late).

As always, therefore, the truth lies in the middle.

Let's try the sowing of some species, the simplest ones and that better withstand stress or do not have to be transplanted once large, so you can sow them directly and avoid shock.
For the others instead we choose the small seedlings already ready for transplanting: they are preferably biological (absolutely not treated, in other words, what sense would it have).

The supply must be made by serious and expert nurserymen, forget the promotional offers from garden-center or hypermarket in short.

Prefer traditional plants, #local varieties if possible and seasonal #naturally: not improvised greenhouses or tropical plants that will certainly have short life or need for treatments to survive.

A #garden is not only beautiful for us that we put heart and effort, but it is also a place of passage for small #friends like #insects, pollinators, #birds and small mammals.

Try to remember that #biodiversity in #nature is always rewarded and that yield is not our primary requirement: sometimes not collecting all the fruits of a plant is also a sign of repetition for the plant itself (remember that plants yield fruit to reproduce and not to make us prepare a salad for lunch) and for the small friends, in fact, who stay there more or less permanently.

Do not forget to sow (and bury in the case of bulbs) the flowers, many flowers, perennials, annuals, biennials, spontaneous: they are not only beautiful but also utli. They will recall pollinating insects such as #butterflies, bumblebees and #bees and will thus have a wonderful holistic vegetable garden.

little visitor before the metamorphosis

little visitor before the metamorphosis- photo credit Carmela Kia Giambrone

morning glory in bloom- photo credit Carmela Kia Giambrone

seeds in mixed flower bag- photo credit Carmela Kia Giambrone

mixed tulips bulbs- photo credit Carmela Kia Giambrone

Portulaca seeds and Echinacea seedlings- photo credit Carmela Kia Giambrone

seeds of the "carnations of the poets" perfect to recall the pollinators- photo credit Carmela Kia Giambrone

As far as water is concerned, the best method is undoubtedly that #drop by drop: if your space allows it - because reduced - equip yourself with ready-made pipes and fittings, otherwise simple micro-perforated pipes, in case the space be bigger, they will be fine.
(read my post on my wordpress blog www.equoecoevegan.it/irrigazione-goccia-a-goccia/)

The rule of not wetting the leaves is always valid, that of "giving drink" to the plants in the evening "with fresh" also, but in the really hot days opt for a total watering to try to give coolness to plants is not evil thing, especially if we talk about a potted vegetable garden (on a terrace or balcony).

The vases, especially those made of plastic, in fact tend to heat the earthen bread contained in them, while terracotta strongly reduces this problem as well as being transpiring and porous: this explains the reason for the enormous difference in cost of the two materials.

Finally, get ready for the attack of fungi and insects: adopt natural formulas to fight with these pathogens. Macerated nettle, garlic and horsetail will be sufficient for any problem and also a lot of patience (forget instead mixtures of soap or alcohol).

Finally, how not to mention the possibility of doing home composting (even on balcony and terrace) in order to get compost all year round and fertilize the plants in a natural way as well as completely recycle the kitchen waste.

For this (who is a regular reader knows well) I refer you to the many articles on the blog (just look for #COMPOST for more information read my tag on my blog www.equoecoevegan.it/?s=compost and read my book http://libri.terre.it/libri/collana/21/libro/392/Dalle-bucce-nascono-i-fiori/ ) as well as to my little booklet "From the peels are born flowers" where I explain step by step how to build and manage a "Compostiera Self-sufficient balcony ".

Finally I suggest you a couple of very cute little books, to read in one breath!

The beauty of being a plant- photo credit Carmela Kia Giambrone

The garden of the old ladies- photo credit Carmela Kia Giambrone

Now there is nothing left to do but to try and the green is with you!

note: all photos found on my Instagram profile :) follow me www.instagram.com/kia_eeev/

Read my Wordpress blog www.equoecoevegan.it and discover "work in the balcony #garden in #March" the http://www.equoecoevegan.it/i-lavori-dellorto-su-balcone-di-marzo/