by Mary Hudson

Spring has arrived in all its glory and we are all home sheltering in place thanks to the Covid-19 virus.  As a result, we now have a bit more free time to do things around the house. Since the ground is warming and the sun is out, this is the perfect time to plant a vegetable garden.

When I moved into my current home, I found that downsizing meant not only downsizing my house, but my garden as well. I inherited lots of roses, but there was precious little space for a vegetable garden.  I managed to create a spot for one raised bed by getting rid of a small lawn, but there still wasn't enough room for everything I wanted to plant, and I definitely was not going to take out the roses. What a dilemma! A “crafty” friend of mine came up with an idea to build some small vegetable boxes that could be attached to a fence outside my kitchen window that has sun all day long.  I started both the beets and carrots from seed. I didn't start them indoors. 

I just sowed the seeds directly into the boxes and attached some drip lines from my existing irrigation.  Fortunately, we had a mild winter and most of the seeds sprouted.  I also had to protect the little seedlings from the birds by netting the boxes. After thinning a few times, I'm now taking great delight seeing the beets and carrots grow outside my window. 

Of course, I won't have a huge crop, but certainly enough for a family of two. I plan to harvest in a month or two and do it again. This has been a satisfying and attractive solution to my small space garden. My advice…don't let limited space stop you from having your very own vegetable garden.  Nothing tastes better than something that you've picked from your garden for dinner. 

Resources:

Roses: http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/PLANTS/rose.html

Lawn removal: http://ipm.ucanr.edu/TOOLS/TURF/RENOVATE/comremtrf.html

Lawn removal: http://sonomamg.ucanr.edu/Lawn_Replacement/Grass_Removal_Methods/

Lawn alternatives: http://sonomamg.ucanr.edu/Lawn_Replacement/Water-Wise_Lawn_Alternatives/ 

"Gardening on small and large lots" -authors Sara Malone and Sandy Metzger :http://sonomamg.ucanr.edu/Feature_Articles/The_Challenge_of_Garden_Size/

UC Master Gardeners Tulare County, tips for successful container gardening: https://ucanr.edu/sites/UC_Master_Gardeners/files/139278.pdf

Hanging baskets and window boxes: https://ucanr.edu/sites/UC_Master_Gardeners/files/287091.pdf

UC ANR California Garden Web: http://cagardenweb.ucanr.edu/Vegetables/

"Plant a European Window box at Home" Author: Janet Hartin  Pub. Sept 2, 2019: https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=31223

During Napa County's shelter in place directive that protects everyone's health and safety, Napa Master Gardeners are available to answer garden questions by email: mastergardeners@countyofnapa.org. or phone at 707-253-4143.  Volunteers will get back to you after they research answers to your questions.

Visit our website: napamg.ucanr.edu to find answers to all of your horticultural questions.

Photo credits: Mary Hudson