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Urban Container Gardening In The Philippines

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Introduction on how to start Urban Container Gardening in the Philippines: Plants are grown in containers such as pots instead of in the ground with container gardening. It is recommended for urban areas where having a garden is not possible. Its space-efficient design makes it ideal for setting up a garden wherever you like. Using old containers around your house for your container garden is a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly way to grow your plants. Common for people with yards, small patios, or balconies. Growing plants for food or beauty in different types of containers – buckets, old tires, raised beds, window boxes, kiddie pools, barrels, and shoes – is known as container gardening. Creating container gardens for urban birds is also a great idea. You can strengthen the bird population at your home by growing plants they can eat, such as berries, that benefit birds who live in urban areas. There are many types of plants you can grow in an urban environment. The plants produce flowers, berries, and other products. In urban areas, people cultivate vegetables, herbs, and fruits primarily for food. Thus, urban farming is traditional farming but in a different location. Because urbanization is increasing and more people want to do their farming where they live, urban gardening is becoming an increasingly popular alternative – a departure from the traditional idea that crops can only be grown in the countryside.

A guide on how to start urban container gardening in the Philippines, tips, ideas, techniques and secrets

Growing Tomatoes In a Container
Growing Tomatoes In a Container (Image source: pixabay)

The Philippines, however, is still in its “seedling” stage, compared to other more developed countries. Therefore, the number of choices available in more advanced countries is far greater than those in the Philippines if I search online for organic or garden suppliers. As well, the Philippines lacks good quality garden supplies and a variety of seed varieties. The supply of hybrid seeds suitable for urban settings is limited, particularly dwarf varieties best suited to pots. Most organic fertilizers and pesticides are not yet available in retail stores, but a few suppliers of good-quality organic fertilizers. The majority of neighborhood garden suppliers specialize in landscaping services and ornamental plants. To obtain gardening supplies, I drove to Quezon City, about one hour from home.

Requirement for urban container gardening in the Philippines

  • Space, area, or land
  • Water
  • Containers
  • Labor
  • Quality seeds
  • Gardening or farm tools
  • Organic or inorganic fertilizers and pesticides
  • Choosing the correct container and pot for your seeds is essential. Among other options, you can use old boxes or water gallons.
  • Individuals living in condominiums or apartments can perform roof, alley, veranda, or terrace maintenance.

The best way to start urban container gardening in the Philippines

In case if you miss this: How To Grow Organic Spinach At Home.

Best way to start urban container gardening
Best way to start urban container gardening (Image source: pixabay)

Grow only good plants: Since you don’t have a lot of space, every plant counts. Choose edibles or medicinal plants whenever possible. According to our rule of thumb, if you water it, it has to be edible. Plants that have little use of water, time, or space are a waste of these resources.

Know your environment: Have you got enough space to grow a veggie garden, or do you live in a Highrise with little soil access? You can grow food in containers if you do not have access to soil, on your patio, roof, balcony, or even inside if you have enough sunlight. When you have a patio or balcony, combine low plants with creeping ones (in all directions). It is even possible to grow plants in hanging pots.

Growing what you need to know: Planting in the right place will determine what you grow. Videos and tutorials on YouTube and the Internet will probably not help you. Most of these how-to videos are not available in cold climates. Also, seed packets are not available everywhere. If you want to use a plant that works well for your area, recommend asking fellow gardeners or visiting a local nursery with surplus seeds. There are several easy vegetables that you can grow in the tropics, including:

String beans- Plant them along a trellis so that the beans can climb it. Please provide them with at least ten hours of sunlight per day and weekly watering.

Leafy greens- Pechay, Talinum, Sweet potato tops, Kangkong, Saluyot, and mustard leaves are among them. An easy-to-grow variety is an Arugula. It can be grown in a small kitchen garden or backyard in containers or beds. You must have good soil, plenty of organic matter, twice-weekly watering, and full sunlight.

Lettuce-If your soil is healthy and rich in organic matter, it will thrive. Additionally, twice a week, watering is necessary. If possible, place them under full sun, though they would also do well under some afternoon shade: select hardy and heat-tolerant lettuce varieties like loose-leaf varieties and oak leaf lettuce.

Herbs-Mint, Thai and holy basil, flat-leave parsley, tarragon, Italian oregano, coriander, and lemongrass thrive in any climate and do not require high elevation. A legume is a soil feeder (grass) that has nitrogen-fixing properties (it converts nitrogen from the atmosphere into nitrogen in the soil). Despite being the easiest legume to grow, mung beans make excellent cover crops. Besides fixing nitrogen, pigeon peas (radios) are also suitable for enhancing soil fertility. The plant’s leaves, flowers, and pods are used for animals as well as edible peas. Bees are also attracted to their flowers.

Sweet potato-Root crops like this are beneficial for multiple crop beds or small gardens. You don’t need to use overly much fertilizer on sweet potatoes (they are heat-loving). However, if you allow them to grow like vines on the ground, you might end up with too much of them. They are also generally free of diseases. In addition, you can use them as mulch and ground cover. If you do, make sure you give them enough space.

Plants in containers: Your seedling will grow into a bit of sprout if you place it between your index finger and middle finger. Support the cup by turning it over, then gently remove it from the cup. Keeping the hair upside down, loosen the roots a little if they look jumbled. Set it in the hole, fill the space around it with soil, then pack it down gently.

Fill the containers with soil: It’s time to start planting! Once you have all the materials and your plants ready to go into their containers, you can start planting! Our containers use Good Dirt. You can find why here, but fill the container with soil when it’s time to plant. Into the 20-gallon containers was put two bags of Good Dirt soil. Both bags were filled at the same time.

Establish healthy and productive soils: Soil health directly affects how healthy your crops are. To build soil quality and structure, you will need both compost and mulch. Your beds will be teeming with life if you give every microbe, bacteria, worm, and fungus room to thrive. In addition to preventing soil erosion and weeds from taking root, mulch provides food for all kinds of living organisms. Healthy soil will nourish plants with the nutrients they require. As a result, healthy plants will produce large yields of nutritious food. Composting all of our yard and kitchen waste, mulching and rotating crops to prevent erosion, not tilling, and not using pesticides and herbicides are some practices we use.

Compost: You should not waste anything, and you should not want anything. So much time to yourself, try composting your kitchen scraps or garden trimmings. You can use this to fill your raised beds or to use as soil. As a mulch or a fertilizer, you can also utilize this compost. Compost piles are easy to build if you follow a few basic instructions. While this may seem straightforward, it is one of the most valuable resources you will ever have.

Gather seeds: Seed savers or neighbors with good calamansi bushes may be willing to share their seeds with you. A friend who has beans may also be willing to share her seeds. The supermarket may also sell seed packets, or nurseries and markets might sell plants and seedlings. If you cannot get seeds or seedlings, you can save seeds from what you eat, such as squash seeds or even cuttings from green onion stalks. Even if you can’t get your hands on any seeds or plants, you can prepare for the future by starting your compost pile and building raised beds.

Start small: Plant just what you need, and don’t feel overwhelmed by too many plants. You can start small with potted plants or a small bed. It is normal to make mistakes, but it is how you will develop your gardening skills. Please don’t fear being lazy, forgetting things, or having the wrong knowledge sometimes. Learn to accept mistakes, and have patience with the weather changing. Make sure you keep what is working, but don’t grow weak plants.

Ferns: Shaded gardens benefit from these plants. Plant them in a slightly too deeply shaded area of your garden to hide rough, unsightly patches if you have any. However, they grow well in moist soil in slight to deep shade. Underplanting them is excellent, or use them as a focal point.

Dwarf Sansevieria Snake Plant: We know that most plants require extra care when it comes to lighting. Dwarf Sansevieria Snake Plants are an exception; they can adapt to most conditions, regardless of light levels. It is ideal for placing it in your bedroom since it mainly emits oxygen during the night. The vegetation is excellent because it brings positivity to your life, resulting in increased productivity, happiness and joy, and better wellbeing.

Pittosporum: With its often pleasingly crinkly leaves, it will make a lovely addition to your garden. Low hedges, measuring up to 1.5 meters high, can be used as excellent, shrubby borders. These plants grow best in part shade or little sun.

Peace Lily: The plant is excellent if you don’t have time but still want a healthy home. The white-flowered plant will purify the air and absorb mold spores. As a result, your breath will be fresher and healthier. Furthermore, peace lilies can still stand with water, which fits into a busy lifestyle.

Aubergine: There is a supermarket vegetable, sometimes considered exotic, that is quite simple to grow. The plant takes up little space and can be grown in a container just over 8 to 9 inches deep, or it can be grown in the ground (if your soil is suitably suited).

Spinach: During the summer, spinach needs 6 hours of direct sunlight. During the winter, it can do with fewer hours of direct sunlight. Nevertheless, it is good to put these kinds of vegetables on small caddies that can be moved around as the sun moves through the day. Spinach is a fast-growing crop, and if you grow it in a container, you get to the leaves before any four-legged creatures do.

Golden Pothos Plants: Gold pothos plants are another excellent air purifier because they remove carbon monoxide from the air. If your days are filled with staring at screens all day, then planting golden pothos will help ease your eye fatigue. When caring for it, let it dry and not water it every day; let it rest for a few weeks after you last watered it.

Acer: Plants of the Acer genus grow well in urban settings as well. Plant them in containers because they do not need repotting, and they grow slowly. They are great for smaller gardens. Sunlight or partial shade is acceptable for these plants. A few of these will brighten your garden with color and take up little space.

Spider Plant Chlorophytum Comosum: This spider plant can be a good starting point for newbies who do not have much experience planting since it requires no-fuss care. It can grow in a low-light environment without needing to be watered daily. Spread positivity in your gardening by placing spider plants.

Sansevieria Bacularis: A good pick for a newbie planter is Sansevieria bacularis. A bright environment will allow this tropical plant to flourish. Air-purifying plants prefer a dry environment to too much water, requiring little attention, as lighting is the only variable.

Trachelospermum (Star Jasmine): Growing this plant vertically instead of horizontally will increase its growing space. Star Jasmine grows well in full sun or partial shade but protects it from cold, dry winds. Its glossy leaves remain attractive throughout the winter.

Urban container gardening helps the Philippines overcome the food crisis 

A lot of food can be grown on a small amount of land. As cities have grown and populations have increased, food security has become increasingly challenging. As populations grow, more mouths need to be fed, and as agricultural lands are converted for urban development, more people suffer from hunger and poor nutrition. Yet, despite our lack of food production, some are dreaming up ways to solve the problem. Through its Sustainable Food Systems unit, the World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) works to promote food security in the Philippines. The projects under this unit promote all-natural agriculture in rural areas to fight poverty. An essential component of the unit is urban container gardening, which holds the promise of food security for everyone. Container gardening refers to the practice of growing crops in temporary containers or modular planters in places without agricultural land.

In urban container gardening, crops can be grown in tight spaces and vertical structures with trellises and good and compact irrigation, similar to hydroponic gardening, but also at a lower cost.  In addition to combating plastic pollution, the practice can also recycle waste materials like old plastic bottles.  Food security is dependent on reliable access to food. So what better way to provide that than to grow your food.?” asks the Sustainable Food Systems Program of WWF Philippines. Urban farming allows you to choose what to grow and eat and provides a healthy and stable food supply – key points to achieving good nutrition. What role does urban container gardening play in today’s world? It’s a cheap innovation with plenty of potentials, but what can it achieve?  Over a billion tons of food are wasted each year by the United Nations, despite 820 million people going hungry every year. Two out of five Filipinos are food insecure, according to Social Weather Station. In urban container gardening, consumers gain control over healthy food decisions and decrease the number of food deserts. “It’s about democratizing agriculture. We want households to be self-sufficient and capable of producing their food,” There is not enough land to grow food in urban areas. As a result, many families live far away from food sources, which is a top problem in food security. As a result of urban gardening, however, the production-consumption gap has been shortened. Family members can now grow and eat food they grew themselves. “Everyone deserves enough to eat. Urban container gardening makes agriculture accessible and doable for everyone”. In times of food insecurity, urban container gardening stands as a sign of hope as the modern world continues to press down on us. You can create this hanging or vertical effect by attaching old plastic bottles to walls or ceilings with nylon or ropes.

The importance of urban container gardening in the Philippines

  • Since food is essential to human existence, urban container gardening offers a steady source of income. The practice of bartering, or exchanging goods or services without using money, is also becoming popular nowadays; people exchange their vegetables, fruits, plants, and seedlings for the things they need.
  • Growing food in an urban environment can be difficult due to the lack of space, but it is possible with materials as close to nature as possible. Additionally, regardless of the market situation, food would be produced and available reasonably quickly. For example, it takes just 20-21 days to grow veggies like pechay, while producing fruits takes only two or three months. After they are ready, you can have vegetables anytime without having to leave your home.
  • It would help if you had little capital and could earn alternative income – The crisis takes its toll on communities, especially those who have lost their jobs or those who earn lower profits. Your urban container garden can yield nutritious foods as well as extra money if you sell the extras you harvest.
  • As well as promoting food security and safety, since you are growing your food, you will have direct access to fresh vegetables, fruits, and meat at any time without going to the market. As a result, your family will have access to food, and you will be able to save or earn more money. Recently, it has provided opportunities for exercise and a deeper connection to urban container gardening.

Commonly asked questions about urban container gardening in the phi lippens

How about this: Steps of Seed Germination.

Questions about urban container gardening
Questions about urban container gardening (Pic credit: pixabay)

1. What are the reasons for the need for urban gardening improvement in the Philippines?

Gardening provides Filipinos with an outlet to relieve stress, whether brought on by work, home, or school or simply by the more significant traffic problems that plague these urban areas. Moreover, many of us have adopted healthier lifestyles by choosing organic foods.

3. What do I need to do to start an urban gardening business in the Philippines?

  • Grow only helpful things.
  • Know your terrain.
  • Know what to grow.
  • Build excellent and healthy soil.
  • Compost.
  • Gather seeds.
  • Start small.

3. How does urban gardening work in the Philippines?

Planting crops in portable or modular pots and containers in urban settings is an example of container gardening.  Plastic waste is also used to make containers because old plastic bottles are recycled.

4. Is it possible to grow carrots in urban container gardening in the Philippines?

Carrots were first cultivated in Central Asia, with Afghanistan as their primary source. However, the vegetable is commonly grown in the highlands of the Philippines. Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Nueva Vizcaya, Davao del Sur, Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Bukidnon are the main production areas.

5. What is the best location for urban container gardening in the Philippines?

Having good drainage, good airflow, and an area with loose, rich soil are all essential for an ideal vegetable garden location. In addition, it would be ideal to have easy access to tool storage and equipment, as well as a nearby source of water.

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Author: Jagdish

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