A box vegetable garden is a great solution for people who don’t have the opportunity to start a normal vegetable garden. Growing vegetables in boxes on a balcony or patio is very similar to growing them in the ground. How can you start your own box vegetable garden?
What do I need to know about the vegetable box?
Growing vegetables in crates has become a very popular solution. Such crates for a vegetable garden are usually created from pallets or boards. You can also buy ready-made hothouse crates in stores. Vegetable garden in boxes is ideal for people who have little space in the garden, but have a balcony or terrace.
Before setting up a box vegetable garden, there are some important things to consider:
whether the plants to be grown in the boxes are suitable for such cultivation;
where the box will be placed – the plants need plenty of light;
the soil should be suitable for the vegetables you are growing.
Advantages of a box vegetable garden
the soil in the boxes warms up faster, so you can sow vegetables and harvest faster,
only new fertile soil is poured into the boxes, so the plants grow better;
organic vegetables;
savings in the household budget.
Making your own vegetable crates
Making a vegetable crate yourself is not difficult. Remember that the length of the box should not exceed 140 cm, and its height is a very individual matter. In small gardens, it should be min. 20 cm high. Between the boxes should be a minimum of 30 cm wide, so that you can move between them without problems.
>> See also: Useful garden tools for beginners
The paths between the boxes should be weeded and sprinkled with bark, gravel or wood chips. This will not only make the path look nice, but also less overgrown with weeds.
DIY crate making
To make a vegetable box will be the best boards with a thickness of 2 cm, which should not be impregnated. The boards should be joined together using strips and screws.
Vegetable garden on your patio or balcony
Important considerations when growing vegetables on a terrace or balcony are:
the bottom of the box should be protected with foil and the box should be in a sunny place;
the plants in the box should be provided with adequate drainage, for example: with expanded clay or other stones;
the soil should be adapted to the requirements of the vegetables grown;
when growing vegetables in boxes, remember to water them regularly;
if the balcony or terrace is small, the soil should be adapted to the requirements of the vegetables;
if the balcony or terrace is small, make sure the vegetable garden is practical and aesthetically pleasing, e.g. by sowing plants in even rows.
Setting up a vegetable garden step by step
Make or buy a box for the vegetable garden.
If the box will be located on a balcony or terrace, then you need to line the bottom of it with foil, on which you will spill stones that will act as drainage. Boxes for planting vegetables in the garden do not have a bottom of wood, so you need to put a metal mesh on the ground, which will protect vegetables from rodent attacks.
The inner boards of the box should be protected with a bucket membrane.
Lay black and white newspaper on the bottom of the box, which will be covered with sticks or straw and then covered with compost.
Pour the pre-mixed soil and peat into the box.
Use slats to divide the beds, through which you can keep the crops in order.
Which vegetables can be grown in a box?
You can actually grow all vegetables in crates. Only vegetables that have similar growing requirements should be grown in one box. The best vegetables to grow in crates are:
dill,
arugula,
chives,
parsley,
radishes,
butter lettuce,
cherry tomatoes.
Care of the vegetable garden in boxes
The height of the box should be matched to the size of the root system of the plants that you plant in them. Vegetables that have extensive roots should be planted in higher boxes. For cucurbit crops, the crate must be very wide. Remember that vegetables grown in crates require regular fertilization and watering.
Choosing the right windows is quite a challenge. On the market you can find many models made of different materials
In connection with this in recent years more and more popular began to enjoy the wooden windows, but this does not mean, however, that those made of PVC went completely away. They still have many advantages which speak for their purchase and installation. What are they? Here we discuss them
Why are PVC windows the most popular choice?
The popularity and ubiquity of PVC windows results first of all from their relatively low price - in comparison with other materials. At the same time they still provide very good parameters, for example those related to thermal insulation or soundproofing. In addition they look good regardless of the architectural style in which the building was constructed and are available in many colors to choose from to make it easier to match them in terms of style to the facade of the building or its surroundings. That's why they still haven't fallen out of the market in spite of high competition from wooden windows.
4 main advantages of PVC windows
The above mentioned advantages of PVC windows are not the only ones. Apart from that you can also enumerate their four most important features, which speak for the purchase of just such models
High resistance
PVC windows are extremely resistant to various atmospheric factors. They are not destroyed under the influence of high and low temperatures or intense sunlight falling directly on their surface. Additionally, thanks to the fact that the material from which they are made does not absorb moisture, they are also resistant to mould and mildew and prevent the development of insects
Long lasting durability
Another advantage of PVC windows is their durability, which can be up to 50 years, thanks to which replacing windows with just such models can solve the problem associated with this element of the building structure for the entire generation of the family
Excellent tightness
In addition, PVC windows are also characterized by excellent acoustic insulation, or the ability to suppress sounds from outside the building. Therefore, they are recommended for installation in particular where there are busy traffic routes behind the window, playgrounds or other places generating high levels of noise. This parameter is also not without influence on the thermal insulation of PVC windows, which affects the reduced inflow of air from outside. This feature is extremely important especially during the heating period, because it has a positive effect on heating bills
Easy care
The last of the key advantages of PVC windows is the fact that in order for them to present themselves impeccably, apart from occasional cleaning of frames, they do not require almost any care, in comparison with wooden models, which should be painted protectively. Moreover, their cleaning itself does not require the purchase of specialized agents either. All you need is warm water with dishwashing liquid, a soft cloth and glass cleaner to restore their original splendour and cleanliness
How to take care of PVC windows?
In spite of the fact that after being installed in buildings PVC windows require almost no user's interference in their construction in order to fulfil their task efficiently, sometimes there are situations in which they need some attention. Such an eventuality may be a slight lowering of the window frame in the first year of its use. However, then it is enough to adjust them with a wrench to be able to enjoy their full functionality again
To sum up, PVC windows are one of the best choices in case of buildings located in noisy neighbourhoods as they provide excellent acoustic insulation. Moreover, they don't require any complicated maintenance or upkeep and are guaranteed to last up to 50 years. All this combined with a low price makes them worth taking an interest in, choosing window fittings not only for houses but also for public buildings
