Gardens are an investment, not just in the purchase of plants and soil, but also your time and care. If you are renting the thought of making that investment and  then having to move on and leave it behind might be too much to bear.

So what about a working alterative: what if you could take your garden with you when you leave?

Today we are looking at a very flexible and feasible way to grow your own veggies and have a flourishing garden if you are renting, so that when you move, your garden can move with you. It’s not only better for you to consume your own veggies, you also get to exercise your green thumb and add a bit of greenery to your home.

The plants you choose and the plant boxes you grow them in speak volumes for who you are and how you live. To really express your personality we have come up with a number of ways you can make your garden grow, no matter where you are or how confined your living space.

The aim here is to have larger, lightweight containers and small to medium plants. It’s tempting to try for a garden made of a lot of small plastic pots and scatter them from one end of your home (or balcony) to the other, however it may not be the best long term solution. While it is possible to have a scattered garden in small pots there are some drawbacks, including more water use, higher maintenance and difficulty gathering them all up when you move.

Another one to be mindful of in advance is bigger plants. You can have one or two feature garden pieces, just remember moving large plants is stressful, for both you and the tree, especially if the plant becomes damaged in transit.

For veggies and flowing plants the best container is a polystyrene box. Your local greengrocer will be happy to supply some for you if your request comes with a purchase of a bushel of vegetables, a bunch of bananas and a smile.

Use a led pencil to punch a range of holes in the bottom for drainage and add some good quality soil and compost. Water well and allow to rest before you start planting.

Your mini farm can contain anything from zucchini and cucumbers to a number of lettuce varieties, herbs and spinach. Add some tomatoes (cherry or regular) and you have a summer salad ready to harvest. You might also like to consider edible flowers such as borage blossoms, pansies, violets and chrysanthemums, which offer beautiful bright colours as well as go well in salads and make incredible garnish.

If you do go for small pots to grow your herbs and flowers keep in mind that plastic is lighter and more portable than ceramic. You can use these cheap little planters indoors or outdoors for strawberries, small fruit trees, ferns, succulents and indoor friendly greenery, just make sure you have something under them to catch excess water.

A more attractive option for pots is felt. The lightweight and durable material is perfect for growing larger plants outside, including fruit or bay trees. Hanging felt pockets allow you to build a hanging garden that resembles a wall of colour and greenery. You can plant straight into the felt pocket or pot or use felt as an effective decorative cover for your plastic pots.

As with the plastic pots you will need to put a saucer underneath to catch run off to avoid water damage to floors, cabinets or stands.

Sack Garden

A Grow-Bag or hessian sack is the same concept as felt pots, only a little more rustic. Hessian material is breathable, allows light to filter in and allows water to drain out, making it perfect for growing potatoes or tomatoes. Like a polystyrene container, fill your sack with dirt and compost, plant your spuds or seedlings and place it in the sun to grow.

Grow-Bags often come with handles that make them even more portable. Hessian sacks are usually quite large so it will be handy to cut them in half to minimise the amount of soil you use (and therefore keep the weight down). You can also place them laying long ways, like a pillow, over an existing dirt patch, with a rectangle hole (or two) cut in the top for the plants to grow through.

Mobile garden bed

A raised mobile bed is also an option if you have more space. They can come in a range of sizes and styles that look a little like a small worktable with a deep top. Most have wheels, which allow you to move them around with ease.

Having a raised garden means you can tend to your vegetables and blooms without bending and have the full benefit of an established garden without having to dig for it.

Local nurseries can sell you a ready to go garden bed, or you can make your own from a kit.

You want your move to be simple, so that means keeping your garden simple too. Prioritise what you need so you only have the plants that you will actually make good use of and keep larger trees and plants to a minimum. Even while being careful with your space and plant use there are still multiple ways you can have a flourishing garden in your rented abode.

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