10 Weird Intensive Gardening Methods That ReallyWork

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There are so many different ways to garden that it would be hard to even list them all.

We put together this grouping of ten different intensive gardening methods that make the most out ofyour gardening space, so that you can grow the most food possible with the least amount of hassle.

Have you tried any of these methods? If so, leave a comment at the bottom and tell us about yourresults!

Tire gardening

Do you appreciate the rugged appeal of recycled tires in your garden? Or, do you want a cheap (read:free), shapeable container garden? The steps are simple: carefully cut off the outer rim of a tire using autility knife. Once you’ve formed that flexible “O,” you can maneuver the tire tread inside out if youprefer to have the smooth, slick innards visible.

By stacking treads on top of one another, the tires become excellent containers for growing potatoesand other rooted plants since the structure provides much-needed growth room. The black surface isideal for plants that need warm growing conditions.

Used tires are easy to come by and can be molded into non-circular shapes. Simply lodge somewooden logs in the tire to create the desired shape. Check out these step-by-step instructions withphotos: http://www.tiregarden.net/

Mittlieder method

The Mittlieder method creatively–and affordably–combines soil-based gardening with hydroponicgardening. This method takes advantage of space, time, and resources and works with both soil bedsand raised beds. Apartment dwellers can enjoy this method as much as commercial farmers.

So how does this method differ from other gardening techniques? Plants must be fed 16 essentialnutrients, as determined by Dr. Mittlieder himself. In addition, while the soil type isn’t a major factor ingardening, soil distribution is essential for proper irrigation, which he believes to be centralizedwatering, as opposed to drip irrigation. Plant spacing is also more liberal in the Mittlieder method.Finally, pruning vegetable plants is essential, yet often ignored in other gardening techniques.

For a quick-start guide, see this site: http://growfood.com/

Square foot gardening

The Square Foot Gardening method can be started using only a frame and some dividers. Picture abox divided into smaller squares, each measuring 1-foot by 1-foot. The square foot gardening methodfocuses on the number of seeds that can be planted within each square box based on the size of theplant. For example, one tomato plant might occupy its own square while oregano can be planted 4times within a square. Carrot seeds, on the other hand, can be planted 16 to a square. Not sure howbig your plant will be? Check the back of your seed packet for spacing information.

Want tips on ideal soil composition for your square foot garden? Visit:http://squarefootgardening.org/square-foot-gardening-method

Keyhole gardening

Keyhole gardens provide adequate growing conditions in less-than-adequate environments. Keyhole

gardens are named after their shape: they are typically round beds with a pie-slice-shaped aisle foreasy access, all built around a circular center compost. These types of garden beds provide the best ofseveral worlds: raised beds allow for regulated soil conditions, the compost center permits richnutrients to re-enter the soil through recycling, and soil stays nourished via water poured into thecompost pile, essentially drought-proofing your crops.

Keyhole gardens are easy to build and can be customized to your liking. Use decorative brick, old woodscraps, cinderblocks, netting, tree logs, or even thick plastic. The framing possibilities are endless anda little composting knowledge is needed. See our own more detailed description of how to make andmaintain a keyhole garden.

Aquaponics

Who says soil is necessary for gardening? Aquaponics is one of two soil-less gardening methods wehighlight. This is an organic gardening system that uses fish waste to nourish plants. This doesn’tmean your plants are submerged, however. A variety of systems exist, including simple trays in whichplants sit: their bottoms are hydrated and fertilized by the aquatic ecosystem. Kits are available forpurchase and because you get to choose the type of fish involved, children are curious aboutaquaponic gardening.

Just like a normal fish tank, your aquaponics system will need monitoring and occasional testing, sodon’t forget to include your gardener tot in these duties. For an overview of aquaponics and greaterstarter tips, head to Oregonlive.com.

Window Farms

Perhaps you’ve seen one in a window already: a vertical cascade of hanging vessels–typically halvedsoda/water bottles–home to soil-less leafy green plants and herbs. The method is simple enough.Plants grow out of the bottle while an air pump (such as those used in fish tanks) circulate liquidnutrients that gently flow down the structure. Sunlight is necessary, but for windows that don’t receiveenough light, hanging LED lights will work.

It goes without saying that this method of gardening is ideal for residents with no patch of grass to claim

as their own; the method is also dirtless. But first-floor residents beware: you are sure to get curious by-passers peering into your personal space, so consider a privacy curtain. Read about one woman’swindow farm initiatives here.

Straw Bale Gardening

You don’t need to live on acres of land to utilize a straw bale garden. Even a small bale (discretelyplaced, if you prefer) will provide high yields and require little maintenance. Bales are great raisedbeds: straw collects/disburses moisture and is compostable, which means over time your plants willgain nutrients as the straw decomposes. Plus, the bales retain heat to extend your gardening seasoneven further.

Here’s how it’s done. Before placing your bales, lay some fabric to inhibit weeds from sprouting upthrough your bale. Lay bales side-by-side if you have more than one, making sure the strings stretchacross the sides, not the top. For two weeks, soak and fertilize the bales so they are ready for crops.Finally, plant your seedlings.

Modern Farmer gives more detailed instructions for creating straw bale gardens.

And for all things straw bale? Check out http://strawbalegardens.com/

Straight-from-the-soil-baggardening

This method should by no means be consideredthe lazy way. It’s the ingenious way! Soil baggardening can be customized to the amount ofspace you have available. You can even start asoil-bag garden near a window that gets full sun.If you’re a beginner and just want to test yourgreen thumb, go out and pick up one 40-poundbag of top soil.

Instead of spreading that soil in a raised bed or container, simply lay it flat. You’ll cut off the entire top ofthe packaging, exposing a window of pre-ready soil for your plants. You might think the next step is tooeasy: plant seedlings at the appropriate time (found on the back of the seed packets).

This method is more than just convenient. You’ll have practically no weeds and, if you choose tocontinue your gardening adventures, over time the bag will etch an automatic bed outline in your lawn.

For more information, Mother Earth News has a detailed article.

Lasagna gardening

It’s as delicious as it sounds: a method of layered vegetable gardening that reduces your workload.Lasagna gardening actually offers a reprieve from mismanaged gardening. This method is ideal if youhave let your gardens go wild or have just inherited an unkempt yard.

The lasagna gardening method actually encourages neglect…sort of. Instead of taking the time to clearout unharvested crops, resilient weeds, or dead plants, simply compact them and place a compostablebuffer on top: cardboard boxes, newspapers, straw, manure, leaves, or grass will do. Not only will thiseliminate unsightly terrain, but you’ll notice that plants you smooshed to smithereens will actuallypersevere over time. Top off your layered garden with additional seedlings to get an amalgamation ofcrops: no digging, tilling, or weeding required.

Learn more with these articles over at Mother Earth News and Organic Gardening Magazine.

Ruth Stout no-work garden

The second unusual gardening method in our list to be named after a person: the Ruth Stout no-workgarden. This method follows the same basis of the last two methods: less digging, soil preparation,weeding, and tilling. Ruth herself used just one fertilizer (cottonseed or soybean meal) and didn’tbother maintaining a compost pile.

Her trick? She kept a thick layer of vegetable mulch on her vegetable and flower gardens. Potentialmatter includes hay, straw, leaves, pine needles, weeds, garbage and even sawdust. As the mulch rots,soil is enriched and more mulch is added. Her one caveat is to start with an area that has at least an 8”-thick layer of mulch in order to prevent weeds.

Here, Ruth explains her method herself at Mother Earth News.

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