There’s something about gardening that makes us slowdown, disconnect, and escape the concrete jungle around us.  However, when you think of renting, maintaining a garden may feel farfetched.  It may take a bit of creativity, but there’s no reason you can’t have a touch of gardening in your life.  Whether you are a renter in a tiny apartment in the city or in a house in the suburbs, gardening is a favorite pastime that you don’t have to sacrifice.

Two of the biggest challenges in gardening in a rental are space and cost. Renters don’t want to sink their time, money and sweat into someone else’s property. Understandable! You also may find yourself short on green space to plant in. My absolute favorite solution when facing renter obstacles but lusting for a bit of fresh air and dirt under their nails…container gardening.

Container gardening is as simple as it sounds, growing your garden in containers versus in the ground.  Container gardening is ideal if you want to create a garden without leaving your investment behind when your lease is up.  Consider using large flower pots, half-wine barrels, galvanized buckets, or grow bags as options. You can even add wheels to the bottom of many for ease of use. When it’s time to move you either empty your containers and use them to start over at your new rental or move them while planted if it’s a short trip. 

 

When you own a property, you inherit the soil. Good soil needs be created over time by working and amending the soil. This can take a lot of time and effort. More time and effort than most renters have on their lease.  If your a renter and really want to test your green thumb with a tomato plant or some herbs, container gardening is there way to go.  It provides a great alternative in that you can fill your containers with balanced soil from your local nursery that is ready to plant in and will provide a good start for your plants.

 

Make sure you use a sturdy container that is at least 6” deep. Something this size would work for smaller plants like herbs and lettuces. For larger plants like berries, peppers, and tomatoes you will need a larger container. Do a little research into what you want to grow to find out the appropriate size container. Many plants come in “container varieties” that don’t require the space other varieties do. 

Ensure there are holes in the bottom of the container to allow for drainage. If there aren’t holes, you will need to drill some before you fill the pot to allow the plant to drain.

 

 Plants need sun! Most fruits and vegetables need full sun which is 6+ hours a day. Make sure you put your containers in a sunny spot. If you don’t have an adequate amount of sun you may need to tweak what you intend to plant to have success.

Do your research. Certain vegetables and fruits grow in certain times of the year depending on where you live. For example, if you live in Texas, strawberries aren’t going to grow in the middle of the summer. It’s just too hot! So, to stave off disappointment do a little research about what grows well in your area. Herbs are always are good start as they are forgiving and useful in the kitchen. I even like to cut a bunch of them and place them in jars on my counter. Think basil or rosemary…they smell wonderful and are a great substitute for flowers.

If you are a new gardener, don’t loose hope. You are likely going to kill some plants! Like any new hobby, it takes time to learn the ropes, what does or doesn’t work, and what you enjoy growing. Personally, I don’t grow squash anymore because while I love to eat it, I can’t seem to grow it without attracting pests that kill it and some of my surrounding plants. So, rather than feeling frustrated about it, I let it go and plant something else more enjoyable. 

Considering planting some flowers alongside your fruits, herbs, and veggies. For one, it is beautiful and they attract mutually beneficial insects that help each other. 

Most importantly, have fun with your garden! While there are some basic guidelines to follow (ie: water, soil, sun), a lot of gardening is what works for you and what you like growing. As you transform your rental into a home, don’t be afraid to make it your own space and to have fun with it!