Grow A Garden

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Enjoy fresh produce by setting up your own vegetable and herb garden. Growing your own food lets you save your money, and is also an excellent way to introduce greenery into your living environment. In addition, home gardens are a great way of reusing disposable plastics. With a little creativity, old water bottles can be transformed into pots and planter boxes.

 

Do not fret if you live in an apartment, HDB corridors are great spaces for mini-garden, so long as they do not block the passageway or inconvenient your neighbors. Alternatively, join like-minded residents and be part of your neighbourhood's community garden group. 

 

Planting your own herbs and vegetables can be a walk in the park. Here are some plants you can try growing:

 

1. Chilli

Plant the seeds 5 - 10cm apart and transplant them into a bigger pot after seed leaves (cotyledon) appear. After transplanting the seedlings, water them daily so that the soil remains damp. Chilli plants grow best in moist, but not soaking-wet condition, so ensure the soil is well-drained. 

Sow to harvest period: 120 to 210 days

 

2. Spring Onion

This common garnishing grows incredibly fast if you use sprouted shallots. They should be spaced 10 to 15cm apart in well-drained loose soil. They also require frequent watering and plenty of sunlight. Once they reach 15cm in height, they are ready to eat.

Sow-to-harvest period: 10 to 20 days

 

3. Long Beans

Long beans, or cai dou, are rich in Vitamins A and C, and make great stir-fries. They grow best in warm weather like ours and when they are well watered. Space the seeds 25 to 45cm apart and transplant the seedlings, spaced 15 to 30cm apart, when they are 10 to 15cm apart. Long beans require support to grow tall, so use poles or trellis. Harvest when the plants are 30 to 45cm long.

Sow-to-harvest period: 50 to 90 days

 

4. Tomatoes

There is nothing quite like a juicy, fresh tomato from your own garden. Plant tomato seeds 3 to 5cm apart and transplant them into a bigger pot when they grow 15 to 25cm tall, with 30 to 60cm of space between the seedlings. They grow best in a sandy loam soil that is slightly acidic. Water the plants regularly but refrain from soaking the soil. As they grow, trim off unwanted leaves and provide poles for support as the tomatoes grow heavier.

Sow-to-harvest period: 60 to 100 days

 

Source: Bridge Magazine (Jan/Feb 2019). Reproduced with permission.

 

 

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