Growing your own food isn’t just for homeowners. Some tenants may already have facilities with their rental to get involved in producing their own food.
This is the case for the tenants of Canada Gardens in Wembley Park, a new development managed by Quintain Living.
In addition to communal outdoor kitchens, tenants have access to a greenhouse, tool shed and 18 raised allotments.
Danielle Bayless, of Quintain Living, said, ‘Growing your own food is such a rewarding experience. Whether it’s a few of your favorite herbs or an entire bed of carefully planned and varied crops, there’s no denying the joy of eating food you’ve grown yourself.
“Gardening is also a great way to improve your mental well-being, as well as get some exercise and be part of the local community.”
Quintain Living has seven top tips for those who want to get the most out of their allotment garden this summer.
Top tips for growing yourself
1. Choose your fruits and vegetables wisely
From the right time to plant your seeds and seedlings to crops that you can switch as the seasons change, there’s a lot that goes into choosing what to grow.
Cucumbers, beetroot, sprouting broccoli and sweet corn are all good seeds to sow in May, along with carrots, zucchini and arugula.
2. Don’t let intruders take over
Mint is a major culprit in this regard – its invasive roots will gradually take over the entire bed, preventing its bedfellows from reaching their full potential. Put it in a container if it’s in a bed with other plants to confine it to where you want it.
3. Sow lettuce every two or three weeks
This will help you stay stocked until November.
Water often and well, as lettuce is a particularly thirsty crop. If possible, water in the morning to reduce the chance of snails eating their way through your precious lettuce leaves.
4. Choose crops carefully to avoid weeds
If you’re not a fan of weeding, grow crops like squash or potatoes, which have dense foliage that suppresses the growth of pesky weeds.
5. Connect with friends and neighbors
By getting in touch with those who grow their own fruits and vegetables, you can benefit from their collective experience. You’ll get a ton of tried-and-true tips that can boost your growth efforts.
Local groups can also be a huge help in watering your plants when you are away. At Canada Gardens, the allotment group meets regularly to share ideas, tips and surplus produce, with members happy to care for each other’s plants during holidays and outings.
6. Turn allotment gardens into a learning experience
Many children love to participate when it comes to planting and helping with weeding. Growing your own food is also a great way to learn everything from plant life cycles to healthy eating.
7. Rotate your crops every year
Growing the same crop in the same soil year after year can deplete certain nutrients in the soil, which crop rotation can prevent.
Rotating crops have also been shown to reduce pests and diseases that recur year after year for certain plants. The result? More fertile soil with fewer pests, for years of growing pleasure.