Interested in an off-the-grid lifestyle? Then you need to make off-grid gardening part of your plan!
Yes, it can be challenging to grow plants and crops without electricity and commercial or inorganic products.
But, the sense of achievement and pride that you can experience knowing that you’re self-sufficient and doing your part is like no other.
Ready to go on this adventure? Here are my top 8 tips for a successful off-the-grid garden:
1. Invest in Renewable Energy Sources
Because you’re running an off-the-grid garden, you’ll need to give up using conventional electricity.
But since you may still need to power some of your garden lighting, tools, and systems, consider setting up a renewable energy source.
You’ll stay true to your self-sufficiency and environmental-friendly values while enjoying the convenience of a bill-free personal source of energy!
Examples include solar panels and wind turbines, which are readily available now more than ever!
2. Incorporate a Waste-free Watering System
You need to establish a self-sustaining yet reliable water source for your garden. It also needs to deliver efficient irrigation with minimal waste.
Luckily, you have multiple options in this area.
You can dig a well and collect water from underground, or use rainwater harvesting systems to collect rainwater. For example, set up a gutter network that directs rainwater into barrels for storage.
You can also install a drip irrigation system, which effectively hydrates plants’ roots while minimizing weed growth and reducing evaporation. Soakes hoses and drip tubing work best for such irrigation layouts.
Another option is self-watering containers that hold water below the soil. They then operate via capillary action to let the plants control the drawing of water.
3. Maximize Your Space Efficiency
You might experience the inconvenience of limited gardening space when living off the grid, but don’t worry, I have a couple of hacks to work around it!
First, you have to get into vertical gardening. This is the best way to make use of all that above-ground space. Plus, it looks incredible!
Vertical gardens feature pots hanging from the ceiling or mounted on walls. It also includes plants climbing on fences or trellises.
The second tip is to start container gardening using buckets, pots, tires, or any container that can support plants. This way, you can take advantage of the extra space on your balcony or porch.
4. Don’t Overlook Mulching
While it can be a bit time-consuming, mulching is fantastic for hindering weed growth, retaining soil moisture, boosting nutrient levels, and reducing soil erosion. All these benefits contribute to the health and productivity of your crops.
You can make organic mulch using wood chips, leaves, and/or straw.
5. Implement Natural Methods for Pest Control
To reduce the environmental strain of your off-the-grid garden, switch from chemical pesticides to natural, organic pest control techniques.
You can use row covers and other physical barriers to keep pests away from your plants.
You can also grow certain plants that help repel pests. For example, basil, lavender, thyme, lemongrass, mint, and marigolds.
You can also attract beneficial insects that prey on pests, such as ladybugs, soldier beetles, and lacewings.
Additionally, you can use pesticidal neem oil and soaps, or apply repellant onion and garlic sprays.
6. Turn Waste into Compost
Making compost is an ideal way to transform waste, such as yard clippings, food scraps, and other discarded organic material into a natural fertilizer for your plants.
Compost beefs up the soil with extra nutrients that enhance the growth speed and size of crops.
7. Plant the Right Seeds
Choose crops that would do better in an off-grid setting to ensure you can achieve self-sustenance. These include:
- Low-maintenance plants such as carrots, kale, sage, thyme, and potatoes.
- High-yielding plants such as artichokes, berries, asparagus, chives, oregano, and mint.
- Drought-tolerant plants such as peppers, tomatoes, figs, eggplants, and watermelons.
- Space-efficient plants such as beans, cherry tomatoes, radishes, beets, lettuce, spinach, and dwarf varieties of veggies or fruits.
8. Master Your Harvesting Game
Not only is it enough to know the best harvesting methods for your crops, but you also must study when to apply them.
Technique and timing will ensure you receive the most flavorful and nutritious yield. Harvesting young is the way to go for some veggies, while waiting longer may be the right call for other fruits.
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.