Fight Tension, Boredom with a Container Garden
2020-05-05
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1From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle Report.
2Research shows that growing fruits, vegetables and other plants can make us happier and relieve tension.
3Working with dirt and plants can be fun.
4Also, when we garden, we are outside, getting sunshine, fresh air and exercise.
5Best of all - a garden gives us healthy fruits and vegetables to feed our families.
6This can increase our sense of independence.
7Every time we bite into a sweet tomato or a fresh green bean, we can say happily, "I grew this!"
8That's right. But not all of us have space, time or money for a large garden.
9Well, you can garden in small spaces with containers.
10Container gardening is an easy way to grow vegetables when you lack the space.
11Even on a balcony or rooftop, you can still garden in containers.
12If you do not have money to buy containers, look around your home or neighborhood.
13You can start your garden in just about anything.
14Do you have buckets, baskets, cloth bags or boxes? You can use all of them!
15Before starting, decide on a place.
16How much sunlight will it get?
17Do you have safe access to a rooftop?
18Is it protected from the wind?
19Are you able to easily water the plants?
20All these things are important.
21In your containers, you can control the soil and the amount of water, but not the sunlight.
22So, find out which plants can grow in the light conditions you have.
23The website Gardeners.com says that most vegetables need at least six hours of sunlight every day or full sun.
24However, some plants can grow in partial shade.
25This means direct sunlight for about three to six hours.
26Here is a rule of thumb: If you eat the fruit or root of the plant, it needs full sun.
27This includes tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, squash, potatoes or carrots.
28If you eat the leaves, it can grow in partial sun.
29This includes broccoli, cauliflower, beans, beets, kale and salad greens.
30Some herbs, such as mint, cilantro and thyme, grow well in partial sun.
31When growing in containers, the soil depth is important.
32For example, potatoes and carrots need a deeper container than other vegetables.
33Plants that do well in containers do not have very deep roots.
34However, you will have to research which plants grow well in your area of the world.
35In small spaces, do not forget about growing upward. You can buy or build a lightweight, ladder-like structure for your plants to grow up.
36Plants that grow up nicely are peas, beans, cucumbers and tomatoes.
37Another way to use a small space is to grow down in hanging baskets.
38If your baskets are not very deep, pick plants with shallow root systems.
39Strawberries and many kinds of herbs can grow very nicely in a small hanging container.
40Just remember: With smaller containers or hanging baskets, you will need to water them more.
41With container gardening, you can grow different plants in the same pot.
42This saves room. And some plants may grow better when paired with another plant.
43However, not all plants grow well together.
44Some compete for the same nutrients.
45Also, do not grow plants in the same pot if they have very different water and soil needs.
46These plants grow well together:
47Beans, carrots and squash
48Eggplant and beans
49Tomatoes, basil and onions
50Lettuce and herbs or
51Spinach, chard and onions
52These groupings may not work so well:
53Carrots with dill or fennel
54Tomatoes or squash with potatoes
55Onions or garlic with beans and peas
56If wind is a problem where you live, remember to protect the plants.
57Wind can damage parts of the plants.
58It can also dry them out.
59Choose a location for your garden that has shelter from a building or make your own wind protection.
60Grouping plants together can help, too.
61Your garden will need a regular supply of water.
62So, try to water your plants at the same time each day unless there is rain.
63It is best to water early in the morning.
64 Watering at night can cause problems.
65However, if you can't water in the morning, water in the late afternoon or early evening.
66And put the water directly on the dirt.
67Also, try not to water during the hottest part of the day.
68The water may evaporate too fast.
69Also, water droplets on leaves can burn them.
70Regular garden dirt will not work as well for container gardens.
71The perfect mix is made up of peat moss, vermiculite or perlite and compost.
72Styrofoam, rice hulls or sand can be used instead of vermiculite or perlite.
73This soil-free mix delivers water, fertilizer and air to plant roots more quickly.
74It also drains well.
75If water sits on the roots, you may get root rot.
76Also, when growing in containers, plant food, such as compost, is especially important.
77Some plants just won't grow without it.
78Okay, so you have chosen your location and your plants.
79Now, you are now ready to start growing!
80Here's how to start your garden.
81Make a soil-free mix for container gardening:
82Step 1. Wear a mask. The materials are dry. They may irritate your nose and eyes as you mix them.
83Step 2. Mix equal parts of peat moss, compost and perlite or vermiculite together with a small amount of wood ash if you have it.
84If you are using sand, do not use as much because sand is heavy.
85Step 3. Choose a container. Anything that will hold the mix and let some water out can be a container garden.
86You can even use a cloth bag. Use cardboard around the sides and bottom to help it stand up.
87Step 4. Fill the container with your mix. Water it well.
88Step 5. Start seedlings or buy small plants.
89To grow from seeds, use any small container, such as egg cartons or milk boxes.
90You can even use a cardboard toilet paper roll.
91Simply close one end, put the mix inside, wait for it to grow, then plant it in the ground.
92Step 6. Label the plants. You don't want to forget what you planted!
93You also can make signs for your garden, reminding you when to water and when to fertilize.
94You can use your phone to keep notes and reminders.
95If you like notebooks, like I do, you can keep a record of what you plant.
96Step 7. Plant the seedlings. When seedlings have a second set of leaves, you can put them into the larger container.
97Leave some space between the seedlings so they have room to grow.
98Water and put in a place that gets some sun.
99I hope you have lots of fun with container gardening. I do!
100Gardening is fun! And we hope you can grow some tasty and healthy food for your meals.
101And join us again next week for another Health & Lifestyle report from VOA Learning English.
102I'm Jill Robbins.
103And I'm Anna Matteo.
1From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle Report. 2Research shows that growing fruits, vegetables and other plants can make us happier and relieve tension. Working with dirt and plants can be fun. Also, when we garden, we are outside, getting sunshine, fresh air and exercise. 3Best of all - a garden gives us healthy fruits and vegetables to feed our families. This can increase our sense of independence. Every time we bite into a sweet tomato or a fresh green bean, we can say happily, "I grew this!" 4That's right. But not all of us have space, time or money for a large garden. 5Well, you can garden in small spaces with containers. Container gardening is an easy way to grow vegetables when you lack the space. Even on a balcony or rooftop, you can still garden in containers. 6If you do not have money to buy containers, look around your home or neighborhood. You can start your garden in just about anything. Do you have buckets, baskets, cloth bags or boxes? You can use all of them! 7Research your location. 8Before starting, decide on a place. How much sunlight will it get? Do you have safe access to a rooftop? Is it protected from the wind? Are you able to easily water the plants? All these things are important. 9Pick the right plants. 10In your containers, you can control the soil and the amount of water, but not the sunlight. So, find out which plants can grow in the light conditions you have. 11The website Gardeners.com says that most vegetables need at least six hours of sunlight every day or full sun. However, some plants can grow in partial shade. This means direct sunlight for about three to six hours. 12Here is a rule of thumb: If you eat the fruit or root of the plant, it needs full sun. This includes tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, squash, potatoes or carrots. 13If you eat the leaves, it can grow in partial sun. This includes broccoli, cauliflower, beans, beets, kale and salad greens. Some herbs, such as mint, cilantro and thyme, grow well in partial sun. 14Pay attention to the container depth 15When growing in containers, the soil depth is important. For example, potatoes and carrots need a deeper container than other vegetables. Plants that do well in containers do not have very deep roots. However, you will have to research which plants grow well in your area of the world. 1620.5-23 cm (8-9 in) 17Grow up! 18In small spaces, do not forget about growing upward. You can buy or build a lightweight, ladder-like structure for your plants to grow up. Plants that grow up nicely are peas, beans, cucumbers and tomatoes. 19Another way to use a small space is to grow down in hanging baskets. If your baskets are not very deep, pick plants with shallow root systems. Strawberries and many kinds of herbs can grow very nicely in a small hanging container. 20Just remember: With smaller containers or hanging baskets, you will need to water them more. 21Grouping 22With container gardening, you can grow different plants in the same pot. This saves room. And some plants may grow better when paired with another plant. 23However, not all plants grow well together. Some compete for the same nutrients. Also, do not grow plants in the same pot if they have very different water and soil needs. 24These plants grow well together: 25Beans, carrots and squash 26Eggplant and beans 27Tomatoes, basil and onions 28Lettuce and herbs or 29Spinach, chard and onions 30These groupings may not work so well: 31Carrots with dill or fennel 32Tomatoes or squash with potatoes 33Onions or garlic with beans and peas 34Wind 35If wind is a problem where you live, remember to protect the plants. Wind can damage parts of the plants. It can also dry them out. Choose a location for your garden that has shelter from a building or make your own wind protection. Grouping plants together can help, too. 36Water 37Your garden will need a regular supply of water. So, try to water your plants at the same time each day unless there is rain. It is best to water early in the morning. Watering at night can cause problems. 38However, if you can't water in the morning, water in the late afternoon or early evening. And put the water directly on the dirt. 39Also, try not to water during the hottest part of the day. The water may evaporate too fast. Also, water droplets on leaves can burn them. 40Dirt and Fertilizer 41Regular garden dirt will not work as well for container gardens. The perfect mix is made up of peat moss, vermiculite or perlite and compost. Styrofoam, rice hulls or sand can be used instead of vermiculite or perlite. 42This soil-free mix delivers water, fertilizer and air to plant roots more quickly. It also drains well. If water sits on the roots, you may get root rot. 43Also, when growing in containers, plant food, such as compost, is especially important. Some plants just won't grow without it. 44Okay, so you have chosen your location and your plants. Now, you are now ready to start growing! 45Here's how to start your garden. 46Make a soil-free mix for container gardening: 47Step 1. Wear a mask. The materials are dry. They may irritate your nose and eyes as you mix them. 48Step 2. Mix equal parts of peat moss, compost and perlite or vermiculite together with a small amount of wood ash if you have it. If you are using sand, do not use as much because sand is heavy. 491. Peat Moss 505. Equal amounts of materials 512. Compost 526. Add small amount of wood ash 533. Perlite 547. Wear a mask to mix the dry materials 554. Wood ash 568. Mixed materials 57Step 3. Choose a container. Anything that will hold the mix and let some water out can be a container garden. 581. Place mix in container 592. Water it 60You can even use a cloth bag. Use cardboard around the sides and bottom to help it stand up. 61Step 4. Fill the container with your mix. Water it well. 621. Cloth bag 632. Line with cardboard 644. Plant seedlings 65Step 5. Start seedlings or buy small plants. To grow from seeds, use any small container, such as egg cartons or milk boxes. You can even use a cardboard toilet paper roll. Simply close one end, put the mix inside, wait for it to grow, then plant it in the ground. 66Step 6. Label the plants. You don't want to forget what you planted! You also can make signs for your garden, reminding you when to water and when to fertilize. You can use your phone to keep notes and reminders. If you like notebooks, like I do, you can keep a record of what you plant. 67Step 7. Plant the seedlings. When seedlings have a second set of leaves, you can put them into the larger container. Leave some space between the seedlings so they have room to grow. Water and put in a place that gets some sun. 68Paper tube 69Cut a milk box in half 70Fold in one end 71Both sides can be used 72Fill with mix 73Milk box seed starter 74Put in seeds 75Egg carton with mix 76I hope you have lots of fun with container gardening. I do! 77Gardening is fun! And we hope you can grow some tasty and healthy food for your meals. 78And join us again next week for another Health & Lifestyle report from VOA Learning English. 79I'm Jill Robbins. 80And I'm Anna Matteo. 81Anna Matteo and Jill Robbins wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor. 82________________________________________________________________ 83balcony - n. a raised platform that is connected to the side of a building and surrounded by a low wall or railing 84shade - n. an area of slight darkness that is produced when something blocks the light of the sun 85rule of thumb - noun phrase a method of procedure based on experience and common sense 86root rot - n. any of various plant diseases characterized by decay of the roots and caused especially by fungi 87peat moss - n. a type of moss that usually grows on wet land and that is used by gardeners as a fertilizer or for growing plants in pots 88compost - n. a decayed mixture of plants (such as leaves and grass) that is used to improve the soil in a garden 89perlite - n. volcanic glass in round pellets 90vermiculite - n. material made from baking the mineral mica 91ash - n. material left after something has burned 92seedling - n. a young plant that is grown from seed 93label - v. to write a word or name on something