Tips for growing your own food without a garden, even if you live in a tiny apartment
09/07/2019 / By Zoey Sky
Even if you don’t have enough space for a home garden, you can become a self-sufficient urban prepper by starting a container garden or joining a community garden. (h/t to MindBodyGreen.com)
Here are some suggestions for preppers who want to grow their own food even without a backyard garden.
Cultivate an indoor garden.
If you want to grow more than just herbs in an indoor garden, plant vegetables in pots and various containers throughout your apartment. (Related: Self-sufficiency training: How to practice homesteading in an apartment or tiny home.)
Listed below are some of the best herbs and vegetables to grow in an apartment with lots of sunny windows:
- Basil
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Bush beans
- Chives
- Coriander
- Dwarf fruit trees
- Garlic
- Kale
- Kohlrabi
- Lettuce
- Mint
- Mushrooms
- Okra
- Onions
- Peas
- Potatoes
- Radishes
- Salad greens
- Scallions
- Thyme
- Tomatoes
Join or start a community garden in your neighborhood.
If you’re not sure if you want to start a home garden, try joining a community garden first to get a feel for gardening. Community gardens allow groups of people to grow different types of flowers, fruits, herbs, and vegetables in either individual or shared plots of land.
There are many ways to make a difference once you join a community garden. Aside from growing organic produce that are free from harmful pesticides, you can donate a portion of your harvest to local food banks or soup kitchens.
Share garden plots.
Home gardening doesn’t have to be a solo endeavor.
Do you have relatives or friends who want to start gardening but don’t know how? Partner with them to start a co-owned garden.
If they have space in their yard, provide the labor and share your crops with each other. Use your creativity to make the most of the space available to you.
Join a Community-Supported Agriculture program (CSA).
Another option is to join Community-Supported Agriculture programs (CSAs), especially if you want easy access to farm ingredients.
Even if you already have a home garden, you can join a CSA to have access to a larger variety of freshly grown produce. When you join a CSA, you can purchase shares of fresh fruits, vegetables, or other kinds of food from local producers.
Generally, CSA members send their payments at the beginning of the year. Your shares will then be delivered to you either weekly or biweekly throughout the growing season.
If you join a CSA, your money will help support local farmers.
Use technology to find supplies.
Use online shops or social media to find supplies for your home garden. You can also search online if you need to get in touch with other homesteaders or local producers.
Join groups for local homesteaders and trade produce or learn tips from your fellow gardening enthusiasts.
Volunteer with local producers.
You can learn a lot by reading articles and joining forums online, but the best way to develop your gardening skills is by learning from experts and gaining hands-on experience. Improve your current skills and develop new ones by volunteering at local farms.
Keep in mind that not all farmers will accept your offer, but you won’t know until you ask around and find a willing mentor.
Visit farmer’s markets.
If you don’t have enough space for a garden in your apartment, get your groceries from a farmer’s market. Support your local foods movement by purchasing fresh and locally grown fruits, vegetables, meats, and more.
Shopping at a farmer’s market means you also directly support small farms.
There are many ways to grow your own food even if you don’t have your own garden. If you want to eat healthier, start a container garden or shop at farmer’s markets.
Read FoodFreedom.news for more articles about food self-reliance.
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