Written by Benedict Vanheems – October 9, 2024
Time is a precious commodity, especially when balancing life’s demands. Growing a productive vegetable garden might seem like a time-intensive endeavor, but with strategic planning and a few smart techniques, it’s entirely possible to grow substantial harvests with minimal effort. Here’s how I manage to feed my family with just 78 minutes of gardening per week.
Effortless Potato Harvests
Potatoes are a reliable staple in my garden, and growing them in containers simplifies the process even further. Fill large pots with quality potting mix, enriched with organic fertilizer, and plant a couple of seed potatoes at the bottom. Keep the soil well-watered, and watch your potatoes thrive.
When the growing season ends, simply remove the foliage and store the pots under cover. Harvest only when needed by tipping out the contents—a convenient, no-fuss method.
Smart Crop Selection
Choosing the right plants and varieties for your environment saves time and boosts productivity. For instance:
- Sweet Corn: I planted a variety suited for cooler summers, ensuring a healthy harvest even during a less-than-ideal growing season.
- Grafted Tomatoes: Resistant to blight and vigorous in growth, these plants produced an abundance of disease-free fruits with little intervention.
Investing just 30 minutes in winter to browse seed catalogs can set the stage for a thriving garden, all while enjoying the cozy anticipation of spring.
Revitalizing Potting Mix
Reusing potting mix saves money and trips to the garden center. Revive it by removing roots and debris, then mixing in organic fertilizer. Bag it for future use, and remember to rotate crops to prevent pests or diseases.
Harvest Frequently
Frequent picking of crops like beans encourages plants to produce more, meaning fewer plants are needed overall. A couple of short harvesting sessions each week ensures a steady supply of fresh vegetables with minimal effort.
Continuous Planting
Replanting immediately after harvesting keeps the soil productive and minimizes weeds. Add compost or organic matter to replenish nutrients before planting the next crop. For tough stems like broccoli, chop them up to speed up decomposition.
Quick and Simple Weeding
Spend a few minutes each week weeding with a hoe to keep beds tidy. Mulching with organic matter once a year not only suppresses weeds but also enriches the soil, saving you time in the long run.
No-Dig Gardening
Eliminate the labor of digging by adopting no-dig gardening. Lay down cardboard and pile on compost to create clean, fertile beds. This method reduces weeds and preserves soil health while saving hours of back-breaking work.
Efficient Watering Techniques
In my greenhouse, homemade terracotta ollas cut watering to just once a week. These buried pots gradually release water into the soil, extending the time between waterings. A thorough soak using a water barrel speeds up the process and ensures deep hydration.
The Beauty of Perennials
Perennials like asparagus, Jerusalem artichokes, and fruits (blueberries, raspberries, and apples) require minimal care. Once established, they provide reliable harvests with little more than occasional pruning and mulching.
Natural Pest Control with Flowers
Flowers around the vegetable garden attract beneficial insects that pollinate crops and prey on pests. Self-seeding plants like nasturtiums and poached egg plants require little maintenance, while annuals like marigolds need only light care to keep blooming.
With thoughtful planning and a few efficient techniques, you can cultivate a bountiful garden in under two hours a week. These simple practices prove that growing your own food doesn’t have to be time-consuming—it’s all about working smarter, not harder.
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