Do you like fresh fruit and veggies? Imagine having them at your doorstep, even if your doorstep leads to a small deck or patio. You can grow quite a lot in a shallow space along the railings with the right planters.

One positive thing many have recognized in the last 7 months is healthy eating. Many of us that previously ate out several times per week have started to explore the art of cooking and finding happiness in the preparation and experience of new cuisine and building their cooking skills.

A large part of the attraction of cooking your own food is controlling the type and quality of the ingredients. For many, this may start with growing your own herbs and vegetables. Imagine being able to pick fresh herbs or tomatoes for that new dish you want to try, just steps from your door.   This makes cooking much more fun and exciting, new tastes will explode in your mouth, you’ll never want those canned tomatoes again, unless of course you’re canning tomatoes you have grown yourself!

When considering what to plant, first look at your outdoor space and type of sun exposure. Even the area outside your front door could get in on the action. If you have plenty of sun, you can even grow something in a decorative pot so it looks cute as well as being edible.

Most gardens require at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight, so you may need to rearrange your BBQ and patio furniture to allow access to those life-giving sunbeams.  If you don’t receive a lot of sun you may want to grow greens and herbs as they require less sunlight.

To make your endeavors sustainable, make sure you have the correct set up. Will it be convenient and easy to water your plants? Will you have to carry jugs of water from the kitchen sink, or can you rig up a soaker hose system. Another option is to purchase self-watering planters.

Soil is another key factor for raised garden beds or planting pots. It is best to purchase soil specifically designed for planters. This type holds and releases moisture as the plant requires it. Keep in mind that your planters should also have drain holes to prevent the soil from staying too wet and developing mold.

There are so many interesting and creative ways to grow your goodies in containers. Vertical planters work well at utilizing smaller spaces, even a simple ladder would hold several small pots and add color to your space, or hang a chain of planters from the underside of your balcony overhang.

Also, in order to get a jump on next season, plant your seeds indoors even as early as mid-January to give them a head start, it’ll give you something to nuture during the rainy days ahead, and something to look forward to as new shoots sprout from the dirt below.

Have fun and let me know what interesting fruits and veggies you’ve managed to grow, I’d love to see your garden!