The gardening world, in the past few years, has changed
immensely. This is particularly true for urban spaces today, as people are
looking for alternative sources for their food. One such method that homeowners
are resorting to is urban gardening, which offers to make our food as 'local'
as possible. Within urban gardening, there have been several methods that have
sprung up - and they don't necessarily need to be planted in the ground.
One such method is 'square foot gardening', which is a
perfect way to add a bit of green to your home without spending too much or
putting in too much effort. It is an easy, minimal work, low-weed and
chemical-free way to grow plants in a small area. As a result, it makes for an
ideal gardening option in urban or suburban areas where space is a major
constraint.
Developed by Mel Bartholomew in the late 1970s, square foot
gardening was his solution to the belief that the conventional gardening system
of planting in rows was a waste of time and space. This method continues to be
a popular form of gardening today as it's easy to manage and produces high
yields of quality food. If you are wondering why, it is primarily because one
can produce a greater number of produce in less space with less work.
So, what does it entail? Unlike regular gardening, the plants
are arranged in blocks of squares instead of rows. Each block, which is small
square sections, contains a different vegetable, herb or flower. It is
essentially a 12"X12" square with a grid that is divided into nine
squares with equal lengths of four feet on each side. As a result, one can
bring in a lot of diversity in their box by bringing in different plants
together. All of this makes it easy for a gardener, especially someone who is
just beginning.
Bringing this form of gardening to Bengaluru is Squarefoot
Farmers. Started by Vishwas Makam, Arun Gundmi and Ritesh Nahar, the
Bengaluru-based firm aimed "to do something nice and also make it
economically sustainable". They set up food gardens, edible landscaping
and at times, a mix of both in their clients' gardens. However, their focus is
on setting up small gardens that are organic in nature, which are customised
according to the needs of the customers."We started out spreading the
knowledge we had about growing food to interested people. One thing led to
another and we started setting up small gardens," says Vishwas.
Additionally, they focus on bringing to their customers a holistic, natural and
organic solution. What makes the square foot gardening more unique is the fact
that you can have complete control over it.
As gardening is often thought to be labour intensive, many
people tend to shy away from doing it themselves. However, square foot farming
is quite the opposite and setting up one is quite simple. It can be set up
using a simple wooden frame or as a more elaborate vertical garden. It can be
designed using any material available (such as wood and concrete) that can hold
the soil above ground. Square foot Farmers offer boxes that are made out of
repressed coir and pine.
The rationale of keeping it above the ground is that by using
potting soil instead of dirt, one will enjoy the benefits of having perfect
soil conditions from day one, making it less labour-intensive. "As a
result, it makes it easier to do the growing in balconies or terraces,"
elaborates Vishwas. However, if you are using wood, it's important to stay
clear of pressure-treated wood, as the arsenic and other chemicals can leach
into your beds and your vegetables.
Today, many people are beginning to realise the importance of
clean, good food and want to start a garden in their terrace and/or backyard.
"Shifting to square foot farming has been really convenient as I was keen
on growing vegetables that I use on a day-to-day basis," says Sheila
Gupta, a resident of Jayanagar, who was looking to expand her garden when she
came across Squarefoot farmers. With their help she has set up around 20 square
foot gardens, placed at convenient heights, growing a variety of greens and
microgreens mostly.
What makes such a garden unique is the fact that it is easy
to maintain, easy to keep pest-free and fetches different vegetables at every
harvest which is apt for small, nuclear families in urban spaces. "When
you understand what you really want, the whole process becomes rather simple
and helpful in the long term. I would advise everyone to grow at least greens
as they last much longer than the ones you may get at the store," suggests
Sheila.
Square foot Farmers also hold periodic workshops, which
enable one with self-sustainable methods of composting and offer a wide array
of flowering and edible seeds as well.
But if you are still wary about giving it a try, wondering
how different it could be from regular gardening, the answer is simple. It
differs with respect to its soil medium, alignment, and is mostly done above
the ground. The soil medium consists of vermiculite, cocopeat and compost,
which makes the garden very friable as it can hold high amounts of water and is
nutrient rich. While this concept has picked up very well among many urban
dwellers, the fact remains that the plants need regular watering and
maintenance. This can prove to be difficult for those who frequently travel.
"However, there are a lot of equipment that help automate gardening
today," says Vishwas.
To ensure that these are maintained well, it is important to
have the ideal space to help the gardens thrive. Such a space would get ample
sunlight (at least five to seven hours of direct sunlight) and should also be
away from tree roots and shadows, and should let water flow easily. If sunlight
is less, the plant selection becomes a narrower process. One can plant anything
that they want to. However, seasons play a crucial role in what can be grown
when. For example, vegetables like carrots and cauliflowers can only be grown
during the winter season. Bengaluru's weather, however, makes it convenient to
grow most of the vegetables through the year. Outdoor terraces are the most
ideal in urban spaces.
Maintenance-wise, there is much to be kept in mind,
particularly if you are looking to grow organically. "Regular sprays of
neem, sour curd and cow urine needs to be administered to keep the plants
immune from diseases and keep the pests at bay," advises Vishwas.
"This will help in maintaining the plant's overall growth and
health." What can also help maintain the plants' health is ensuring that
there are no pests behind its leaves and that they have good compost, which is
key for growing in small spaces. Having good compost would mean good health for
the plant as it is their food. All the kitchen waste generated at homes can be
composted and be used to enable their growth.
However, it is important to start slow before you delve into
it completely. "It takes not more than 30 minutes of your weekly time,
which is more than enough to produce clean, good food that is fresh and
sustainable. Knowing how to grow your food can turn out to be a very valuable
asset in the near future," signs off Vishwas.
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