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Chapter 4

Herbs in Small Spaces

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The taste of fresh vegetables and fruits can be tantalizing. But this does not come easy; nevertheless, nothing can compare to the taste of freshly snipped veggies from your small garden near the house. The only problem is the usual lack of space to grow your herbs, especially if you are living in an apartment. But you can always make use of the insufficient space available and still make great veggies out of the space available.

If all you have beyond your door is nothing more than a balcony, containers will come to your rescue. The best thing about this method is that you can grow virtually any fruits or vegetables in your container gardening, especially if your container is the right size for the job. Besides, container gardening offers an opportunity for space saving as every single ounce of the soil in the container is important.

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KEYHOLE GARDENING OFFER the best opportunity to maximize space, as there is no need for walkways like the case in most other garden types. The design here is simple; the bed is circular and high, with a “keyhole” access at the center for accessing the garden. The circle center has a vertical tunnel used for multiple layers of compost, which delivers moisture and nutrients as it breaks down. And above all, keyhole gardens are the go to option as they can be built using a variety of materials.

When it comes to vertical gardening, the list of opportunities is almost endless. Talk of conventional trellis, recycled pallet planter, hanging hydroponic window gardening, you name them. All need here is a little bit of creativity, and you are on the right track to an incredible herb gardening. Interestingly, as much as there is a vast number of ways to practice vertical gardening, the fruits and veggies you can choose from are as vast. From cucumbers to tomatoes, Asian greens and strawberries, peas and pole beans as well as kitchen herbs, there are a lot of options out there.

You can use square foot gardening with the raised beds model, and they are an ideal way to get the best space and minimize efforts. Raised beds not only offer space for more plants, but also require less need for weeding besides making it easier.

Now, now, now, what can be more than an edible landscaping, where you can replace ornamentals with fruitful greens?  With the wide variety of edible ornaments around, you have every chance to turn the available space into a food source.

There is a lot you can do with a small space, provided you know what to do. Perhaps the best thing is that with these options at your disposal, getting the best out of every inch around is easier than it may sound.