Beginner mistakes in urban gardening

More and more people are planting tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and various other vegetables on their balconies or in their outdoor spaces. The call for ecological change is louder than ever. Why not grow your own food if you have the space and time? However, there are some common beginner mistakes, and at Deco&Lemon, we want to show you how to avoid them. Don't miss our new post!Urban garden 75020001

The importance of urban garden orientation

This beginner's mistake is quite obvious to gardening and horticulture experts: a balcony is always a great place to grow a variety of plants. But have you considered its orientation? Despite being called light wells, they offer very little sunlight to our plants. Therefore, they are completely unsuitable, except for species that require a lot of shade (although these aren't typical for an urban garden ). Also, consider any visual barriers on your horizon. For example, if the building across the street blocks the sunlight, that area is also out of the question. As a general rule, the best orientation is usually south, southeast, or southwest.

The weight of the soil in an urban garden

For a balcony, for example, there's no problem because the space for flowerpots is very limited and the weight is easily supported. However, on a larger terrace, it's not advisable to cover a large part of the surface with pots full of soil, as the structural elements won't withstand the weight you might think.

The depth and growing spaces

Next, we have another common mistake and one of the most important points. It's not all about soil, water, and compost, as the root systems of each crop are very different, with varying degrees of strength, and their development in depth or horizontally will differ significantly. If you have a larger outdoor space, you can consider growing in pots, which guarantee a depth of 30 to 50 centimeters, more than enough for most crops. You can also use raised beds, one of the most popular options in recent years.

Planting the urban garden

Believe it or not, it's not the first time someone has planted a tomato in a cold climate in the middle of March. Fortunately, thanks to the internet, access to information has made things easier. Crops can't just be planted haphazardly; they require a specific season and specific conditions.

Irrigation and drainage of the urban garden

It wouldn't be the first time someone fills a planter with potting mix without making a single drainage hole. Before adding any soil, it's highly recommended to put a centimeter or two of gravel at the bottom and make a couple of drainage holes, allowing excess water to percolate. Regarding watering, it's usually one of the least common problems, since when setting up an urban garden on a balcony, a frequently used space, we tend to water it regularly. We hope this has been helpful. If you're also starting out in the world of urban gardening, be sure to visit our website. At Deco&Lemon, we have everything you need to create your eco-friendly space with the best materials and quality!
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