Author: Maria | BSc Aquaculture, MSc Fish Nutrition
Introduction: Why Growing Something Small Can Change Everything
Wellbeing doesn’t come from one big decision. It grows slowly, through small, thoughtful actions repeated day after day. For me, gardening has always been one of those actions — a way to nourish both body and mind, even when space is limited.
I grew up learning how to grow vegetables and ornamental plants while living in small apartment units. We raised our own food wherever we could, sometimes using pots, other times a small shared plot. Alongside vegetables, we cared for chickens, rabbits, and fish. These early experiences shaped my belief in organic, sustainable living and taught me a simple truth: you don’t need a large garden to grow something meaningful.
Gardening made me a lifelong learner. Every space is different. Every season presents new challenges. And every project teaches you what works — and what doesn’t.
Gardening as a Lifelong Learning Process
I don’t consider myself an agricultural expert. I see myself as a learner because no two gardening situations are ever the same. Soil quality varies. Sunlight changes through the seasons. Weather patterns surprise us. Even the same plant behaves differently in different environments.
What gardening teaches us, especially later in life, is adaptability and patience. You learn to observe first, adjust slowly, and work with what you have available. That mindset alone is deeply beneficial for mental wellbeing.
For gardening enthusiasts — whether you are just starting or have decades of experience — challenges are part of the journey. And often, those challenges spark creativity.
When Space Is Limited: Rethinking What a Garden Can Be
Urban living can be demotivating for gardeners. We are used to seeing tidy vegetable rows planted directly in the ground. But what happens when you rent a home with no lawn, no soil, and no garden beds?
That was our situation when we moved into a rented two‑bedroom house surrounded entirely by concrete paving. The landlord’s garden and fruit trees were positioned above, out of reach. We could admire them — but not use them.
Rather than giving up, I surveyed the surrounding industrial area and discovered something unexpected: wooden pallets being thrown away as rubbish. I brought four or five home and began thinking about how to use them creatively.
That’s when the idea of vertical gardening was born.
Creating a Simple Vertical Garden Using Pallets
The concept was simple: grow leafy vegetables vertically, using minimal space and easily accessible materials.
I positioned the pallets against a side of the house that received morning sun until midday, followed by shade in the afternoon. This setup proved ideal — avoiding harsh midday heat while still providing enough light for healthy growth. Even during autumn and winter, when sunlight hours were shorter, the system continued to work.
Because plastic pots can be expensive and bulky, I chose small reusable planter bags. These lasted two to three years when handled carefully. While they are made from plastic, I saw this as the lesser of two evils: reuse them for as long as possible rather than constantly buying new materials.
The bags were attached securely to the pallets using a heavy‑duty staple gun. Once filled with soil, I planted spinach, kale, and lettuce — vegetables that grow well in compact setups.
The Advantages of Vertical Gardening in Small Spaces
This system had many unexpected benefits, especially for older gardeners or anyone wanting a low‑strain setup.
1. Reusing Community Resources
Wooden pallets are often freely available and unwanted. Reusing them keeps materials out of landfill and makes gardening more affordable. It’s a wonderful example of the saying: one person’s rubbish is another person’s treasure.
2. Flexible and Portable Gardening
Because the garden was not fixed in the ground, it could be moved if storms were predicted. It could also be repositioned seasonally to capture the best available sunlight. This flexibility makes gardening far less stressful.
3. Reduced Pests Naturally
Keeping plants off the ground significantly reduced slug and snail infestations. For extra protection, the pallet feet were placed in shallow containers filled with natural deterrents such as:
- Broken eggshells
- Coffee grounds
- Salt
Land mollusks strongly dislike these textures and substances.
4. Simple, Gentle Pest Control
Occasionally, aphids appeared. The key was acting early. Squashing them by hand or washing them off with water proved effective. Companion planting also helped — alternating vegetables with marigolds, mint, or chives discouraged pests naturally.
5. Easy, Back‑Friendly Harvesting
Vertical gardens reduce the need for bending or squatting. Harvesting was simple: snip mature leaves from the base using sharp scissors. This encourages continuous growth and avoids pulling plants out prematurely.
6. Feeding the Soil Naturally
Kitchen scraps can be used as fertiliser when chopped into small pieces (avoiding acidic foods). One of the most effective fertilisers I used was water from washing fish. It is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and trace nutrients, supporting:
- Healthy leaf growth
- Strong roots
- Beneficial soil microbes
A healthy soil microbiome leads to better yields and stronger plants.
7. Better Soil Aeration With Minimal Effort
Planter bags are naturally breathable. If the soil became compacted, a gentle squeeze of the bag loosened it, improving oxygen flow and nutrient uptake — essential for root health.
Small Gardens, Big Rewards
One unexpected benefit of this setup was producing tender, baby‑sized leaves. These are gentler on digestion and easier to prepare. They’re also more appealing for children — and for anyone who prefers softer textures.
There were also times when we harvested more than we needed. Sharing fresh produce with neighbours and landlords brought a quiet sense of pride and connection.
Gardening isn’t without challenges. But every problem becomes an opportunity to build resilience, creativity, and confidence.
What Gardening Teaches Us About Wellbeing
At About Health Supplements, we believe wellbeing follows the same principles as gardening:
- Small actions matter
- Consistency brings strength
- Natural support works best over time
Whether it’s growing food, staying gently active, or supporting your body with quality nutrition, health is something we cultivate — not rush.
Final Thoughts: Finding Your Own Sunny Space
You don’t need a large backyard or expert knowledge to grow something meaningful. What you need is curiosity, patience, and the willingness to begin.
Your sunny space might be a pallet garden, a pot by the window, or a daily habit that brings you calm and nourishment. Whatever form it takes, small, thoughtful choices truly add up.
And that, to me, is the real reward.
