Introduction

STARTING YOUR VEGETABLE GARDEN

Exposure

Size

Containers

Geotextiles

Terracotta

Wood

Plastic

Alternatives

Size and layout

TOOLS

COMPOST

PREPARING YOUR CONTAINERS

GROW OR BUY?

Growing plants from seeds

The advantage of tubers and pods

ACTIVIST SEEDS

Preserving variety

Organic seeds

SOWING

When to sow?

Soaking the seeds

How deep to plant seeds

How to sow

Keeping the seedlings warm

Germination

TRANSPLANTING

When to transplant

How to go about it?

Transplanting bare root plants

Damping off

A garlic decoction

OTHER TECHNIQUES I USE

Cuttings

Layering

Volunteer seeds

CREATING ABUNDANCE ON A BALCONY

Permaculture as a source of inspiration

Production

Not wasting

Collecting and stocking energy

Making the best use of resources and renewable energy

Using self-regulation and accepting feedback

Start with the big picture and then focus on the details

Integrate rather than separate

Practicing diversity

Using slow solutions on a small scale with patience

Observe and interact

Every element of the system must fulfil several functions

Your imagination sets the bar

THE VEGETABLE CYCLE

Hardy perennials

Perennials

Biannuals

THE CLASSIFICATION OF PLANTS

A VARIETY OF CHOICES

Annual varieties

Fast-growing or precocious varieties

Vegetables that produce quickly

Perpetual vegetables

Seeds and staggered plantings

Polyculture

Companion Planting

How I use density in planting

How I optimize space

How I grow all year round

WATERING AND CONSERVING WATER

Manual watering

Densification of crops

Surface straw mulching and composting

Irrigation pots: Ollas

Rain

FERTILE CONTAINERS

Surface composting

Lasagna

Earthworm composting

Salvaging compost

Manures

WELCOMING BIODIVERSITY

The diversity of vegetable plants

Honey-producing plants

Pests, predators, and other offenders

Birds

Earthworms

I GROW MY OWN SEEDS

Autogamy and Allogam

Hybrids

How do you make your own seeds?

The viability over time of vegetable plants

GROWING WITH THE SEASONS

My seed calendar

Month by month

Gardening together

Conclusion

Resources

Acknowledgements

Credits