Micro Food Gardening: Project Plans and Plants for Growing Fruits and Veggies in Tiny Spaces

by Jen McGuinness

Overview

Tiny plants are poised to take over the gardening world. And no category of tiny plants is as welcome and wildly embraceable as tiny edibles. Not only are they cute as a button, but they’re tasty and nutritious too! In Micro Food Gardening, author and small-space gardening pro Jen McGuinness, introduces you to a world of miniature edible plants and dozens of DIY projects for growing them.

Not everyone has room to grow a full-sized tomato plant or a melon vine that takes up more room than your car, but everyone has space for a micro tomato that tops out at the height of a Barbie doll or a dwarf watermelon with vines that won’t grow any longer than your leg. From miniature herbs and salad greens to tiny strawberry plants, baby beets, and mini cabbages, you’ll quickly discover that micro gardening offers a surprisingly diverse and delicious array of edible opportunities. Plus, with step-by-step instructions for a plethora of DIY micro food gardening projects, you’ll be up and growing in no time at all.
 
Whether you micro garden on a high-rise balcony, an itty bitty patio, a front porch container, or even in a basket on the handlebars of your bicycle, there are mini food plants ready to start cranking out fresh produce just a few weeks after planting.

Creative projects include:

• A window box of mini potatoes for a porch, deck, or fire escape railing
• A mini lettuce table that serves to both grow food and hold your beverage
• A compact “cake tower” of strawberry plants 
• A wine box spice garden
• A mini food fountain with herbs, veggies, and edible flowers
• A small-space omelet garden for cooking up the perfect breakfast

Plus, several indoor food-growing projects will have you enjoying homegrown micro veggies year-round, even in cold climates.

With advice on plant selection and care, project plans, full color photography, and growing tips, Micro Food Gardening is here to show you the joys of growing your own fresh, organic food, no matter where you call home.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780760369838
Publisher:	Cool Springs Press
Publication date:	04/20/2021
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	8.05(w) x 9.95(h) x 0.65(d)

About the Author

Jen McGuinness is a writer, editor, and photographer who began regularly writing as Frau Zinnie in 2011 on FrauZinnie.com. The website features Jen’s writing, photography, and personal gardening experiences in her Connecticut, US, garden, along with interviews with garden experts. She is a proponent of organic gardening methods and wildlife-friendly gardens.

Jen has worked in local journalism, nonprofit communications, a small business, and in corporate communications. She explored other interests along the way, earning two master’s degrees. Jen is an award-winning local journalist, earning recognition from the New England Press Association, the Connecticut chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, and the Awards for Publication Excellence.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Why Grow Micro Food? 7

Section 1 Setting Up Your Space 11

Starting Micro Food by Seed 14

Growing Plants That Others Have Started 17

Container Basics 18

Lighting 21

Watering 25

Soil Choice 26

Section 2 Micro Food Growing Projects 31

Lettuce Bicycle Basket 32

Edible Side Table 37

Hanging Gutter Garden 42

Baby Bok Choy Cups 48

Fingerling Potato Window Box 52

Edible Flowers 57

Mini Stir-fry Garden 62

Basket Root Garden 68

Strawberry Cake Stand 70

Micro Food Fountain 74

Repurposed Aquarium 79

Window Box Veggies 82

Wine Box Spice and Herb Garden 86

Taste of Italy 91

Melon Magic Trellis 94

Worm Bungalow 99

Rainwater Collector with Living Wreath 104

Cuke Tower 111

Mini Salsa Garden 115

Cherry Tomato Candy 118

It's All in Your Head 122

Thyme Chessboard 126

Shady Garden Bed 130

Cool Cookie Container Combo 134

Omelet Combo 138

Sprouts 143

Create Your Own Indoor Grow Light 148

Microgreens 152

Muffin Pan Basil 156

Windowsill Pea Shoots 160

Conclusion 165

Resourcess 168

Meet Jen McGuinness 170

Author Acknowledgments 171

Index 172

Editorial Reviews

04/05/2021

McGuinness, founder of the blog FrauZinnie, applies as much practicality as imagination to gardening in her clever, energetic debut. In 30 projects, McGuinness focuses on growing edible plants in small spaces, insisting that “a lack of land does not mean you cannot grow any food.” She advises readers on growing spaces: outdoors, look for a spot on a porch or balcony that’s protected from the rain but open to sun (and if natural light isn’t available, try a grow light); for indoors, find places for plants that aren’t accessible to pets. She also offers tips for buying seeds (they must be microvarieties) and choosing containers (whether plastic, terra cotta, or recycled coffee cans and glass jars). Her projects make use of a bicycle basket for lettuce, window boxes for fingerling potatoes, and coffee mugs for baby bok choy. Each includes well-illustrated instructions, as well as plant-specific tips for light and water requirements. McGuinness’s plan for microgardening is approachable, and her guidance cheerful: “Whether you live in an apartment... or a small home, there is a plant to fit your space.” New and experienced gardeners alike will find their imaginations spurred. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

"McGuinness, founder of the blog FrauZinnie, applies as much practicality as imagination to gardening in her clever, energetic debut."—Publishers Weekly

"The projects are fun and creative, and whichever ones you choose, this book will get you started growing your own tiny garden in no time!"—Gretchen Wagner, Seattle Book Review

From the Publisher