June/July 2024
At the Carmel Farmers Summer Market, vendor Liz Ford, owner of Ginger Root, offers invaluable gardening tips tailored for everyone, whether they have spacious backyards or are interested in balcony and small-space gardening. As a master gardener, Ford’s expertise helps individuals maximize their gardening potential, regardless of their living situation.
CFM Market Manager Susan Bock spoke about the benefits of having Ford and her fellow master gardeners on-site at the summer market.
“Ford has partnered with the Hamilton County Master Gardeners [Association],” Bock shared. “They share a booth space, and I think it’s a real benefit to have the [master gardeners] there to answer people’s gardening questions. It’s a great resource!”
Recently, Ford gave a presentation at the summer market on urban gardening, and she actively blogs about gardening. She recently blogged about the recent change to Indiana’s hardiness zones, titled “It’s Getting Hot In Here,” which is available on her website at gingerrootplantco.com.
Small Space Gardening 101
Balcony or small space gardening offers a delightful solution for urban dwellers seeking to cultivate greenery and fresh produce despite limited outdoor areas. Transforming even the smallest balcony into a thriving garden sanctuary is a testament to creativity and resourcefulness. Utilizing vertical space with hanging planters or trellises maximizes planting potential, while compact containers allow for a variety of herbs, flowers or vegetables. The intimacy of such gardens fosters a deeper connection with nature, providing a peaceful retreat amidst bustling city life. With careful planning and attention to sunlight and watering needs, balcony gardening not only beautifies living spaces but also yields the joy of harvesting homegrown delights, making every inch of space a vibrant testament to nature’s resilience and beauty.
“Miniature herb gardens and small container gardens are perfect for a beginner gardener or for someone living in an apartment, condo or townhome,” Ford said. “They’re super easy to put together and are really easy to care for. It’s a great way to learn how to grow your own food in a very accessible way.
She added, “Another easy way [to grow] if you don’t have a ton of space is to get a five-gallon [food-safe] bucket. They have them at Lowe’s or Home Depot. You just need to drill a hole at the bottom for drainage, put potting soil in them and then put the plant in. You will need full or partial sun for the majority of these [plants], such as tomatoes and peppers. You can put one tomato plant and one basil plant in one five-gallon bucket and keep those in the bucket all season long, harvesting directly from the bucket. The buckets are not the most aesthetic-looking things, but you can spray paint the buckets and do different designs if you want to.”
Ford continued, “Another helpful thing with small space and balcony gardening is growing vertically instead of just horizontally. There are vertical planters you can grow herbs or strawberries in, and they grow very nicely.”
If you have a small area of land and want to create a modest yet purposeful garden, Ford offers a few tips to help you maximize your space for a bountiful harvest.
“The way to get started is to first determine what [you] like eating at home and then find a spot to grow [it],” Ford stated. “Again, the majority of plants need full or partial sun, so you want to make sure you have the right spot in your yard for it. I also do garden coaching if people want help. I come out and spend an hour with them and help them through all these steps. The Hamilton County Master Gardeners is also a great place for information. They have a great planting calendar on their website. Once you determine what you want to start [growing], like tomatoes or lettuce, their calendar lets you know when to plant it.”
Ford emphasized her passion for gardening education and her commitment to making it accessible to anyone interested in growing plants, regardless of their living space. She highlighted that having access to live plants has been scientifically proven to improve mental health while enhancing the overall ambiance of one’s home.
Gardening Is Healthy for the Body, Mind and Soul
“I’m very passionate about people having access to gardening education,” Ford said. “Something that I always try to push is that it’s a learning process. People say they have a brown thumb and can’t grow plants, and I say that you just haven’t killed enough plants to have a green thumb! If a plant dies, it will be fine. It’s more about the journey and joy of having plants. Gardening is a form of therapy for me. It’s a way to escape and slow down from my daily life. Gardening doesn’t have to be a stressful and intense thing.”
Ford concluded, “Plants are a great way to bring the outside … in. So, if you don’t have a lot of outdoor space, bringing plants into your home is great for your mental health. There’s a bacterium [Mycobacterium vaccae] that’s found in soil, and it makes people happy by triggering the release of serotonin in the brain. It’s been proven to make you happier when working with and just being around plants. I feel like I’ve experienced that as well.”
For more information on Ginger Root Plant Co., visit gingerrootplantco.com. For information on the Hamilton County Master Gardeners Association, visit hcmga.org.
Visit carmelfarmersmarket.com for a complete list of vendors and entertainment schedules.
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