Anyone can enjoy the benefits of gardening! In addition to being a rewarding activity, gardening is a relaxing experience that helps you connect with nature. While some people are lucky enough to have their own space for growing a garden, many people who live in block apartments look for other ways to satisfy their green thumb.
A great solution is to rent an allotment, which gives you plenty of room to grow your favourite plants, fruits and veggies. It also gives you the chance to become a part of a thriving community of allotment growers.
April is a prime time to get started with allotment gardening! From sowing seeds for the summer harvests to preparing your beds and adding compost, April is the prime time to get your gardening project started. However, before getting started, it’s best to check your local allotment association or online resources for a more detailed list of allotment jobs in April that you may need to consider.
If allotments aren’t accessible, consider creating an indoor garden. Specialized companies offering block management in Essex, London and elsewhere can help make it easier. Along with routine maintenance, block management companies also look after your garden maintenance by providing essential services such as watering systems, pruning, weeding, and pest control. This makes it easier for you to ensure your garden thrives with minimal effort.
Whether you choose an allotment, an indoor garden or a backyard plot, selecting the right vegetables is key. We’ve compiled a list of easy-to-grow, highly nutritious vegetables that deliver bountiful harvests, jumpstarting your gardening journey with success!
Let’s check them out!
1. Beetroots
Beetroot thrives in soil that is free of stones and does not require manure. Make sure the soil is ready before you start planting the seeds. Prepare a patch of soil, create a row and add some compost.
Plant the seeds about an inch apart in this row, then cover them with soil and water generously. Soon, you will see small wine-coloured leaves emerging from the soil, indicating a beetroot is growing below. Once the roots reach the size of tennis balls, you can harvest the larger ones, leaving the smaller ones to continue maturing.
2. Herbs
Growing herbs is a satisfying experience, especially as they add a sense of freshness, a delicious taste and mouth-watering scents to your dishes. You must initially consider growing annual herbs such as parsley, tarragon, basil, and coriander (cilantro). These herbs are easy to grow and yield large harvests in a single growing season.
Plant the seeds indoors in a warm spot. Once your herbs are 4–6 inches tall, move them outside into fertile soil. To keep them from bolting, or producing seeds too soon, make sure to water them regularly. You can use these herbs all summer long to give your meals a refreshing taste.
3. Radishes
Radish is another vegetable that is easy to grow and can be harvested in as little as four weeks. You can plant them in your garden or little pots on your windowsill. To give radish seeds enough room to grow, plant them about 2.5 centimetres apart. The crops are usually ready to harvest in about 25 to 30 days.
This means that you don’t need to wait for months to enjoy the results of your labour. Furthermore, radishes come in a variety of visually appealing colours and shapes. They are also very versatile and can be used in salads and pickles. They can also be eaten raw with a dash of salt.
4. Chillies
Chillies bring a burst of colour and flavour to your garden without hassle. Choose your preferred heat level and plant multiple chilli plants in a spacious container on your porch or in a sunny spot in your garden or allotment.
You must initially plant them indoors with warm soil and transfer them outside once the weather warms up. These plants need very little care, but they yield plentiful crops, offering you enough yield that will last throughout the winter months.
5. Lettuce
Every garden needs lettuce. Lettuce plants take only three weeks to grow, from sowing to harvesting. Plant lettuce seeds 15–25 cm apart, for accelerated development. Gently pat down the soil’s surface and water the rows once you’ve covered the seeds. As the seedlings grow, it’s important to keep the soil continuously moist and weed-free.
Lettuce comes in a wide variety of flavours, colours, and shapes that can enhance your salads and sandwiches. As the saying goes – there is a lettuce variety to suit every palate, from butterhead to crisp romaine.
6. Peas
Peas require very little growing experience and are a great addition to any garden. The ideal temperature range for these cool-season crops is 13–18°C. Plant them about 10 cm apart in two rows and lightly cover them with soil while watering them sufficiently.
Furthermore, install trellises or posts for your pea plants to climb on for support. Since pea seeds attract birds, cover your pea beds with netting or chicken wire to keep them safe.
7. Shallots
A culinary favourite, shallots are quite easy to grow and cultivate. Select shallot sets with tiny bulbs and plant them in early autumn or spring. Shallots have shallow roots, so the best way to ensure they thrive is to weed by hand. Make sure the soil is moist but not soggy, and ensure they get plenty of sunlight.
To Wrap It Up
If you are a beginner, the vegetables listed in this article offer a perfect starting point for your garden. With easy-to-follow growing instructions and minimal maintenance requirements, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of fresh produce right from your garden.
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