As the world becomes increasingly urbanized, more and more people are finding themselves living in apartments, often with limited access to outdoor spaces. However, this doesn’t mean that apartment dwellers can’t enjoy the benefits of growing their own food. In fact, with a little creativity and planning, it’s entirely possible to cultivate a thriving edible garden, even in the smallest of spaces. This will save you money in the long run.
Benefits of Growing Your Own Food
Growing your own food as an apartment dweller offers numerous benefits, including:
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Fresh produce: Enjoy fresh, nutritious produce right in your own home. What you grow yourself will be pesticide and chemical free too.
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Cost-effective: Save money on grocery bills by growing your own fruits, herbs and vegetables.
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Increased food security: Have control over the food you eat and reduce your reliance on industrial agriculture.
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Stress relief: Gardening has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health and well-being.
Choosing the Right Crops When Growing Your Own Food
When it comes to growing your own food as an apartment dweller, it’s essential to choose crops that are well-suited to indoor growing conditions. Some excellent options include:
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Leafy greens: Lettuce, kale, spinach, and arugula are all easy to grow indoors and can thrive in low-light conditions.
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Herbs: Basil, mint, cilantro, and parsley are all popular herbs that can be grown indoors and add fresh flavor to a variety of dishes.
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Microgreens: These young, nutrient-dense greens can be harvested in as little as 7-10 days and can be grown on a windowsill.
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Cherry tomatoes: While they require a bit more light, cherry tomatoes can be grown indoors using a container.
Indoor Gardening Methods
There are several indoor gardening methods that apartment dwellers can use to grow their own food. Some popular options include:
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Container gardening: Use pots, planters, or containers to grow individual plants or a combination of plants.
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Window box gardening: Place a window box or planter inside on a sunny windowsill to grow a variety of plants.
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Hydroponic gardening: Use a hydroponic system to grow plants in a nutrient-rich solution rather than soil.
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Aeroponic gardening: Similar to hydroponic gardening, but plants are suspended in the air and receive nutrients through a fine mist.
Tips and Tricks
Here are a few additional tips and tricks to keep in mind when growing your own food as an apartment dweller:
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Make the most of natural light: Place plants on sunny windowsills or use grow lights to supplement natural light.
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Use vertical space: Make the most of your indoor space by using trellises or vertical gardening systems.
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Look for a Community Garden Space: A Community Garden space is inexpensive to rent for the summer season. You can greatly expand what you grow and enjoy the company of other gardeners too. In Manchester you can get information at the Library.
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Learn to DIY: Consider DIY projects, such as building your own planter boxes to save money and add a personal touch to your indoor garden.
Red Oak Apartment Homes
Looking for a great place to call home? Red Oak Apartment Homes has a wide variety of styles and price points.
Check out the available apartments here.