How To Incorporate Kitchen Gardening Into A Busy Lifestyle

Welcome to the post-pandemic household where we have learned that hydroponics, indoor gardening, and horticulture are the trending lifestyles to keep safe and healthy. Despite our busy schedules, we understand the importance of being self-reliant. Somewhere between trying to find new hobbies or returning to ones we had but couldn't keep up with, kitchen gardening has gained traction because it checks all the boxes for good mental health, a healthy hobby, self-reliance, and the fruits of one's labor.

Woefully, our busy lifestyle doesn’t support the leisure of being able to attend to our daily work life and garden in our spare time. Rejoicingly, you don’t need to compromise on either one after a read through this blog. There are points that can help you manage your time better while reaping the benefits of a luscious and vibrant home decor.

• Easy Maintenance - Plan which low-maintenance plant you want to cultivate. As they are less reliant, the amount of time that is required to invest is less for gardeners. Some examples of such plants are herbs that need little watering and maintenance including basil, thyme, rosemary, and mint. Cacti, aloe vera, and jade plants are examples of succulents that can endure prolonged periods of dryness. Succulents are also drought-tolerant. Cherry tomatoes, lettuce, strawberries, perennial vegetables, and flowers such as petunias, marigolds, and geraniums require less water and give a high yield.
• Smart garden design - Crop maintenance, harvesting, and crop care may all be made simpler by planning a kitchen garden with efficiency and space in mind. These suggestions can enable a fruitful and low-maintenance kitchen garden while maximizing the available space. By growing plants on walls, trellises, or hanging baskets, you may make use of vertical space. This makes it possible to grow more plants in a smaller space. This makes it possible to utilize space effectively and also lessens bug issues. By planting several crops in the same space, intercropping effectively utilizes the available space. Putting lettuce or herbs between tomato rows is one example. Raised beds can be utilized to grow plants in an area that is condensed and well-drained, making crop maintenance and harvesting easier. To make it simpler to access all areas of the garden and minimize the need for step stools or ladders, place larger plants towards the back of the garden and smaller plants in the front. Last but not least, applying an organic mulch layer around plants can help them retain moisture, control weeds, and require less regular watering. 
• Time-saving techniques - To automate operations and increase gardening efficiency, use equipment like automatic watering systems, garden timers, and compost bins. Composting is a fantastic technique to cut waste and improve your garden's soil, which will make it simpler to grow wholesome plants. Soil moisture meters can help you to determine when your plants need water, saving you time and reducing the risk of over or under-watering. In addition to helping to produce a more stable microclimate, grouping plants together helps save time and energy since they can share water and nutrients. These procedures help streamline the gardening process. 
• Making use of technology - Numerous details about plants, such as watering schedules, sunlight needs, and nutritional requirements, can be found in gardening apps. You can also use some applications to monitor the development of your plants and create reminders for chores like fertilization and insect management. Making sure your plants get the proper amount of water at the right time with the help of intelligent irrigation systems. Even better, some systems can monitor soil moisture levels and modify watering schedules depending on current information and instead of using soil, hydroponic systems use water and fertilizers to grow plants. These systems can be controlled by computer, making it simple to monitor and modify growing conditions. They are frequently more effective than conventional soil-based gardens. 
• Herbs for busy lifestyles - Herbs are an excellent addition to any kitchen garden since they are simple to grow in a small space and may add flavor and nutrients to meals. Choose easy-to-grow herbs like basil, cilantro, parsley, rosemary, and thyme based on the kinds of herbs you enjoy using in cooking. The majority of herbs prefer healthy soil that drains properly and indirect sun. In the event that you don't have access to natural sunlight, think about growing your herbs on a sunny windowsill or under grow lights. The majority of herbs require frequent watering but avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. Salads, soups, sauces, and marinades can all be enhanced with fresh herbs to provide taste and nutrients. Recipes can help reduce sodium intake and enhance taste without adding extra calories if herbs are used in place of salt. 
• Planning for success - It's crucial to plan your kitchen garden in advance for a number of reasons, especially if your schedule is hectic. You can maximize your time and money while ensuring the success of your garden by setting reasonable goals. Pick a location that is convenient for you while also taking into account the space you have available. This will enable you to estimate the size, type, and cost of the resources you will need to invest in your garden. You should take into account the resources you have at your disposal, including equipment, soil, and water, as well as the amount of time you have each week to devote to gardening. This can assist you in establishing4reasonable garden objectives and figuring out what you can do given the time and resources at your disposal. Set attainable goals for your garden, taking into account your degree of experience. This can entail starting with a little garden and progressively growing its size and complexity over time. 
• Balancing work and gardening - It can be difficult to juggle the demands of a job and gardening, especially for people with busy schedules. However, by designating certain times for gardening and ranking garden duties in order of importance, a balance can be achieved. Identify the horticultural jobs that are most crucial and order them according to your schedule. Consider concentrating on duties like watering and fertilizing plants if you have a hectic week. These activities are necessary for their health and survival. Use technology to automate tasks, such as watering and lighting, so that you can spend more time on other important tasks. If you want to save time, delegate responsibilities to a partner or family member who enjoys gardening. For instance, you can divide up the work of planting and harvesting so that both of you can spend time in the garden. 
• Gardening as a stress-reliever - Having a kitchen garden as part of a busy lifestyle can reduce stress and enhance general well-being. Gardening has been proven to have several mental and physical advantages. As a relaxing and meditative pastime, gardening offers a chance to unplug from the strains of work and technology. According to research, gardening can benefit mental health by lowering stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. It is a physical exercise that can benefit overall fitness and health. Digging, planting, and weeding are examples of activities that can provide moderate to severe exercise and enhance flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular health. A kitchen garden can give you access to fresh, wholesome, and nutrient-rich produce. Being in the garden gives you a sense of success as you watch the results of your labor develop. Growing your own food gives you a sense of accomplishment and pride that can boost your mood, keep you motivated, and generally make you feel better. A kitchen garden can be incorporated into a busy lifestyle as a means to balance the needs of work and technology, as well as to relieve stress and increase well-being. You can benefit greatly from gardening and live a healthier, happier life by taking the effort to raise your own food.