Working with Property Management to Start Your Home Garden

With gas prices on the rise and the recent trend toward local and organic foods, many people have been returning back to their own yards as a source of produce. Growing fruits and vegetables at home is not only a great way to eat fresh and healthy but can also be a relaxing and enjoyable pastime. For those who rent their homes, a goal of home-grown produce can sometimes seem unattainable. However, there are many ways to start your own mini-farm while staying within the guidelines of your home's property management.

You may be pleased to find that your property management is keen on the idea of a small, sustainable garden near your home. Some apartment complexes contain plots of land that serve as community gardens for their tenants. A space for tenants to grow their own vegetables can be viewed as a plus for those searching for a place to settle down. These areas provide a zone for friendly neighborly interaction and can help build a community spirit. If you live in a complex with some open space, consider suggesting a shared garden to your landlord.

If space for a full garden is limited, you may be able to use part of a flowerbed to grow smaller plants. A corner of a garden can easily hold small plants like peppers, cherry tomatoes, and baby carrots. Larger plants can also be grown in smaller quantities; try to look for those that yield fruit often instead of those that need to be harvested at the end of a season. Blueberry and blackberry bushes are also great sources of fruit that can blend in well with the other foliage around your house. Of course, you should approach your property management before making any major changes; try coming up with some ideas of plants that grow locally before asking permission.

If you don't have access to a flowerbed or your rental area is in an urban area without much green space, there are several ways to grow plants from containers and planters. One popular device allows you to grow tomatoes upside-down. Soil is suspended from a container hung from a pole, usually over a grassy area. A hole in the container allows plants to grow down and out of the bottom. The device is unobtrusive and easily removable. Many different types of vertical planters exist as well. These planters are designed for urban environments and provide several pots arranged vertically in one compact container. If you live in an apartment, window planters are an easy way to grow beans and peppers.

Wherever you live, a simple but satisfying option is a herb garden. Plants like cilantro, basil, and mint are very easy to grow and can add a fresh kick to your cooking. Most herbs are small and do not take up much space. Any of the spaces mentioned are suitable for these small plants, though planters and pots can often keep the fast-growing herbs from overtaking a garden or smothering a neighboring plant. Plus, maintaining a simple herb garden might convince your property management that you're a great candidate to upgrade to a larger garden.

There are many other ways to start a garden; it's only a matter of finding which work for you and your property management. Just get creative and start simple- your fresh veggies await you.