Growing food in small spaces is pretty simple, as long as you have a little space and know-how. If growing indoors, be sure to keep plants away from pets (cats in particular may knock them over). And never leave foliage near glass windows, as this can confuse birds, who may try to fly inside. See how to stop birds flying into windows to learn solutions to stop this happening. Use no-dig methods, to protect earthworms and other creatures. Also see how to grow your own herbs (includes details of herbs that are toxic to pets).
See plants & trees to avoid near pets (avoid cocoa/pine/rubber mulch & fresh compost near pets). Use humane safe slug/snail deterrents. See safer alternatives to netting for wildlife, if used. Many plants (inc. yew & oak trees) are toxic to equines. See books to grow your own food and growing food in pots and containers.
- Veg in One Bed is a super book by young Welsh gardener Huw Gardener. He can show you how to grow all your own food, in just one raised bed, no digging required (which also protects earthworms). By using a store-bought raised bed or a homemade one (or use old wooden pallets if they are free from toxic paints and nails), you can grow your own food, using the tips in this beautifully illustrated book. Start plants off on a windowsill, and also find veggies to swap.
- Kitchen Garden Revival is a book to take your backyard veggie patch into a work of art. From design to harvesting, Nicole Burke of landscape company Rooted Garden and Gardenary (an online kitchen garden education company) shows how to reduce your food miles and grow food for the family table. Make easy-to-maintain raised beds laid out in a geometric plan and find seasonal growing guides.
- Growing Good Food is a book by regenerative farmer Acadia Tucker, who shows how to build carbon-rich soil, to help reduce climate change, by capturing greenhouses gases. She offers draft plans for gardeners who have no or little space, with tips to prep soil, plant food and raise the most popular fruits and vegetables.
- Grow Bag Gardening is a unique book on how to grow oodles of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers, with no heavy lifting or digging required. Just use these eco-friendly fabric planter bags, to grow plants with minimal space and care. Grow bags are perfect for urban gardeners, you can even grow food on rooftop gardens, balconies or patios. They fold flat for easy storage and are frost-proof, so no lugging heavy pots indoors for winter.
