Farming and Gardening in your own apartment does not seem so difficult now
Updated: Nov 17, 2021
Farming and Gardening in your own apartment does not seem so difficult now. One of the downsides of living in a large, urban area is the lack of fresh, healthy food near you. But what if there was a way to farm and grow your own fruits, vegetable, herbs, etc? All it takes is a few easy steps. You can even be eating organic fruits and vegetables without even moving out of your apartment.

So, how can gardening in your apartment actually be done?
You do not have to be a farmer to have these benefits. Any apartment has a little balcony, a window box, or a container that can be used for gardening purposes. This article explains how to create an apartment garden, which will enable you to have fresh produce all year round.

The first thing you need to do is create some space for your plants. Since you will be growing these plants indoors, this means making sure they get enough light. The best way to make sure your plants get enough light is to opt for either seeds or seedlings that are already mature. Typically, vegetables that grow below the soil level will require sunlight.
It helps if you pick vegetables that offer an array of colors and tastes. This way, you will not get tired of eating the same thing. You can also change the flavors of the foods by adding spices and different oils. This way, you will never get bored of eating the same vegetables.
The next thing you need to do is decide on what type of soil to use for your plants. There are two types of soil that can be used as a substitute for regular soil: peat moss and perlite. Both types of soil are good for growing indoor plants.
The type of soil you choose to use for your garden depends on the purpose you will be using it for. If you want your plants to flower naturally, then use peat moss. On the other hand, if you want to grow vegetables, then use perlite because it will keep the roots healthy and fresh without rotting them.
Think about how much ground space there is in your apartment. If your apartment is small, then opt for seedlings. Seedlings are easier to grow because they are smaller than mature plants. If your apartment is big, then opt for mature plants. However, the size of the plants will dictate the type of soil you need to use. For instance, if you want to grow tomatoes for making salsa, then use perlite since it does not hold moisture very well. On the other hand, if you want to grow potatoes or leafy vegetables like lettuce for salads, then opt for peat moss since it retains moisture longer.
Get started with the gardening!

The next thing you need to do is choose which vegetables you will use for your garden. Your choice will depend on the size of the area you are working with. Then, get the leaves of each vegetable plant and place them in a large container. Make sure to plant each vegetable separately, so they can grow adequately.
Get a larger container if you are not sure how many plants you want to grow at once. Another thing that will help you grow more plants is planting multiple seeds of the same type.
A compost bin is good for composting and using it to make your house smell fresh. The amount of space in your apartment will determine how much compost you will need.
Make sure you add manure and peat moss to your compost pile when making it up for the first time. You can also use spent grains to make the soil rich. This way, you will be able to plant vegetables more successfully after a few days of planting. Make sure you use organic fertilizer in your compost pile so your food will be free of chemicals.
The last thing that you need to do is water your plants when you feel that the soil looks dry. You will know when it is time to water the plants when the leaves start looking droopy. You can do this simply by filling a bowl with water and then pouring it on top of the soil.
More tips and tricks about farming in your apartment:
You can add plant food to the soil so your vegetables will grow quickly. The main benefit of planting your own garden is that you have control over the type of food you are eating.
You can also substitute different vegetables depending on what vegetables are in season. For instance, if some vegetables are out of season, then you can just grow some new ones instead of starting fresh with some new seeds. This way, your garden will have enough variety for you to eat something different every day.
Do you have a backyard? Read below for farming tips:
You can start a vegetable patch in your own backyard. This will require a few more steps, but you will certainly get your hands dirty when doing it. A good place to start with outdoor gardening is by creating a raised bed garden. A raised bed garden is better than a normal garden since it does not have to be dug up and can be reused for future seasons by being left intact.
A raised bed garden will enable you to grow a variety of vegetables and fruits without too much work. You can grow more than one type of plant in a raised bed garden by using proper spacing between plants.
The first thing you need to do is find some old wood and nail them together to form a rectangle shape. Make sure the size of the bed is large enough for you to fit in it comfortably and small enough so that you can reach all parts of your plants.
Next, add about 2 inches of organic mulch around it. You can use manure or compost from your compost bin to make up for this part. This mulch will help to keep the soil around the box moist because it will not evaporate or soak into the ground too fast. You can also add peat moss or sand if you want to make your soil doesn’t get too wet.
The next thing you need to do is use a shovel to dig up the soil around the bed. Make sure you dig it out 3 inches deep, then fill this hole with good vegetable soil that is rich in nutrients. Add compost to this soil before you plant your plants.
Next, plant your seeds in the soil. Make sure the seeds are spaced far enough from each other so they get enough sunlight. You can make sure you are planting them right by making a few sets of holes with a pencil or stick then covering them with the seeds. This way, you will just have to plant one seed in each hole, rather than digging it up, later on, to find out that you planted it in the wrong spot.
Water the seeds until the soil is moist, and keep them covered with mulch so they can grow properly. Make sure you plant different types of seeds around the box so you can harvest a variety of vegetables.
After your plants have grown for a couple of months, then it is time to harvest them and use them in your meals. You should also think about how to preserve your vegetables for future use. One way to do this is by storing them in glass containers with lids that will seal tightly shut. Make sure all the vegetables are dry before you store them so they do not rot.
Another thing you can do is freeze your vegetables by adding them to a bag that can be sealed tightly shut with ice cubes. Make sure you wash off all the vegetables before eating, then remove the leaves and other debris. This way, you will have fresh vegetables to eat all year round.
There are different methods you can use to grow your own food, but choosing the best one for your needs is very important. Growing your own vegetables is only possible with dedication and patience, so be sure you are ready before you do.
Best Plant Choices for Apartments
You can grow just about any plant in a container to a certain extent. For instance, a full-size apple tree might be out of the question, but there are skinny columnar varieties that can fit in a 1-square-foot corner of your balcony. Think about what you enjoy eating, and then choose a few types of plants to try out for your apartment garden. You can start with seeds, which offer more variety and are cheaper. But small nursery plants will get your garden established sooner.
Herbs: Although many herbs grow well in containers, they won't get as large and bushy as they would outdoors in the ground. And you might have to replace your plants if you harvest frequently. But it is wonderful to have fresh herbs close by for cooking. Some top choices for apartment gardening include mint, chives, parsley, lavender, basil, and thyme.
Salad greens: Salad favorites, such as lettuce, spinach, and arugula, are fast-growing, shallow-rooted plants. They're not overly fussy about their growing conditions, as long as they get plenty of water.
Tomatoes: Tomato plants can get large and heavy, but they grow well in pots. They will do best in a container that is at least 14 inches in diameter but even larger is better. You can also grow some of the patio varieties in a hanging basket.
Chili peppers: If you like heat, hot peppers grow very well in pots, and they can set fruits year-round. You also can try growing sweet peppers in containers, but they typically don't do as well as hot peppers.
Meyer lemons: Some of the easiest fruits to grow in a container are dwarf citrus trees. Meyer lemons do well indoors if they get six to eight hours of sun each day, along with some humidity. Put something underneath the pot to protect your floors and furniture, as lemon trees give off a sticky sap.
Strawberries: A window box of strawberries is as beautiful as it is delicious. Strawberry plants generally need at least six hours of sun per day and consistently moist (but not soggy) soil to produce their best fruit.
Apartment Garden Care
There are certain tasks that you can expect to tend to regularly in your apartment garden, including:
Watering: By far the most important gardening task is watering. Even if your garden is exposed to rain, that probably won't be enough water. The soil in containers dries out quickly, especially as your plant grows. Test the soil by poking your finger an inch or two below the surface. If it feels dry, you need to water.
Feeding: You will need to feed your plants on a regular schedule, according to their individual growing requirements. A water-soluble fertilizer that can be added when you water is usually the easiest method. Also, note whether your potting mix has fertilizer already in it, as this typically will delay the need for you to feed your plants.
Problems: Pests and diseases have a way of finding plants no matter where you grow them, and there are no natural predators for insects indoors. Inspect your plants for problems whenever you water them or harvest. If you spot signs of pests or diseases, such as discoloring or holes in the leaves, move that plant away from the other plants until the problem is remedied.1
Harvesting: Learn when your specific plants are at their peak for harvesting, and then don't delay picking the fruits of your labor. In some cases, harvesting actually promotes the plant to produce even more food for you to pick.
Benefits of an apartment garden:
Apartments without a garden can get pretty boring. So why not try growing vegetables in your apartment? This is a highly rewarding way to decorate your home or apartment with edible plants. It can be better for the environment, you won't have to buy anything, and it's much cheaper than buying fresh produce when you're on a budget. You also don't have to move your plants outside every year because many are cold-hardy.
When it's time to harvest, you can choose from your collection of fresh vegetables. This is a great way to get out of the house and spend time outdoors. Plus, you'll have enough fresh food for your family.
Start an apartment garden in your home today. There are several types of plants that can grow in containers, including salad greens, herbs, tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, and more. So, find the plants that will best suit your needs and start planting in your apartment today!
Instructions for Growing Tomatoes in an Apartment Garden
Growing tomatoes in a container is easier than you think. Tomatoes like lots of sunlight, good drainage, and lots of nutrients. You can give them all of that in a pot on your balcony or patio.
Tomato seedlings
Starting tomatoes from seed is the most fun and rewarding way to grow your own food - especially since you get to eat the fruit later! The first step is preparing some containers.
Things you will need:
A five-gallon bucket is a good choice because it's big enough to grow some vines and has plenty of air circulation, which you need for healthy plants. Plus, you can get these buckets for free! Just visit your local restaurant and ask if you can have theirs after they're done with them.
You'll also need some potting soil. When choosing potting soil, make sure it is actually made for growing in containers because regular garden soil may not drain well in a pot. Also, make sure the soil you select is sufficiently lightweight. Some potting soils consist of several parts, but those may be bulky and heavy to carry around.
Once you've determined the type of soil you want to use, make sure you have enough of it to fill your container. You can skip using a bag if you have a five gallon bucket.
Below you can read on how to prepare a planting hole for tomatoes by mixing compost with your potting soil before placing any seeds in the ground. You can also place the seeds directly in the container and add some potting soil to cover them.
Preparing your container
You'll need to make a small hole in your bucket before you add any soil. This should be about one centimeter deep and should be pretty small. You also need to make two other holes on opposite sides of the bucket that are large enough for your hands to fit into, but that will still allow the lid to fit over it.
Add your soil:
Now it's time to add the soil to the container. Start by mixing in some compost and laying it on top of your soil. You can use a knife if you want or you can scoop out some of the soil with a shovel and mix in the compost at this point. Even though you're mixing in compost, don't add too much because you'll still want to put down a layer of topsoil around the outside of your plant box. Remember to water your soil after you place it in the container.
Placing seeds:
Now it's time to add your seeds. The easiest way is to simply use a turkey baster and suck up the seeds into the baster like you would when brewing tea. You can then simply squeeze out the seedlings into the dirt. If that's not an option for you, then poke each seed hole with a pencil or stick, remove any soil around the seed, and drop in your seedling. You can also use a spoon.
Placing tomatoes indoors may seem difficult, but if you follow this step-by-step tutorial, you'll be growing your first tomato plants in no time.
Conclusions
Before making any decisions about which apartment gardening project to pursue, there are a few things you will want to consider. One is the actual space you have available for such an endeavor. There are plenty of projects that can be accomplished in a small amount of space, and there are also projects that require a lot more room. The best thing to do here is to simply plan ahead and know exactly how much work you will need to do and what tools and supplies you will need. It is important to choose plants that are right for your climate and growing conditions. Experimenting is part of the fun!