Solutions for the temporary garden

Solutions for the temporary garden

BAM! And summer is here. After a long and cold spring, we are completely in summer moods and are having heavenly temperatures. We live outdoors again and see nature explode. A relief for the usually green-loving Tiny House resident! We can enjoy ourselves in the garden again. But if you are living in a temporary Tiny House location, what can you do with your tiny house garden?

Trees, shrubs and perennials are investments that you will not easily make when you live in a temporary location. Temporary is sometimes only two years, sometimes five. It becomes a different story when you have a ten year permit. But sometimes you are also not allowed to plant trees on your plot, which may be laid down in the rental contract or the user agreement. Sometimes there is even sanitized soil in which you are not allowed to grow vegetables. What to do with your gardening aspirations? Not to worry, there really are plenty of options left.

Focus on annuals and biennials

If you have limited time, annuals are the way to go. They are cheaper than perennials and better yet, you can easily sow most of them yourself! If you have a spot in your garden where you can sow directly in the soil, that’s best, but you can also sow indoors. Then you must have some space in a sunny spot in your Tiny House. Or you use a mini-greenhouse that you put outside. Obviously, you buy organic seeds and plants, to help feed rather than poison the insects you so desperately want. Right?

Gardening in containers and pots

The great advantage of potted gardening is that you can take your beloved plants with you to your next place when you move your Tiny House. You can still plant a surprising amount in pots, as long as the pot is big enough. You can even grow vegetables in pots or containers if you wish. You can also move a flower pot so that your plants can be sheltered when needed. You can put those cherry tomatoes that don’t like rain very much under a shelter when there is a downpour. A disadvantage of pots is that the soil dries out faster, so you have to water more often. Also remember that plants in pots need nutrition. Fresh potting soil only lasts a few weeks, after that you have to add fertilizer regularly.

Even trees can grow in a pot!

Do you dream of owning an apple tree but you’re not allowed to plant trees on your lot? There are also small varieties that you can easily put in a large pot or tub. Patio apple trees are a good example. Even these small trees give a few apples every year and they bloom briefly but beautifully. But also think of fruit bushes, such as a blueberry or currant bush in a large pot.

A temporary garden with low impact

If you want to quickly transform a bare spot into a green paradise, even if your house is on tiles or sand and you lack fertile soil, this is a tried and tested method. Determine the shape of your garden (for example with rope or with bamboo sticks) and lay down root cloth. Set off the mold with an edge of stones and deposit garden soil in it. A mix of garden soil and potting soil or compost is even better, then there is more nutrition in the mix. You can immediately start planting and sowing and enjoy the emerging greenery. When you move and you have to return the place as you found it, you can easily clean up your temporary garden.

Are your green fingers starting to itch? Get started then!

Pictures: Lisette Geel, BlueMonque, Natasja Oosterloo