Ahead of Earth Day 2022, begin your journey of sustainable living by starting your own mini garden. Here are seven easy plants to grow in your humble garden
Every year, Singapore imports over 90 per cent of the fresh produce that is consumed in the country. The imported food comes from all over the globe, travelling hundreds, and even thousands of kilometres across the sea before finally reaching its destination. The carbon emissions and energy consumption of transporting these produces, as well as in the refrigeration of the stock throughout the transatlantic journey, significantly contributes to global warming. How can we circumvent this issue?
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Though it is impossible to completely avoid importing our food due to low land space, there is something we could do to mitigate the impact of importing food. Growing your own food is a simple solution to numerous salient environmental problems. This Earth Day, start living sustainably by growing your own food.
Starting your own mini garden is a great first step towards sustainable living. All you need are a few pots, a packet of soil, some fertiliser and you are ready to go. Below, discover some of the beginner-friendly plants that you can start growing at home.
1. Succulents
Succulents are extremely low maintenance plants that are very easy to grow in Singapore. Their tiny statures make them the perfect addition for houses with small spaces as they don't grow too large. These rugged plants can grow well even in the most extreme conditions. Indeed, succulents are the perfect plants for novice gardeners or those who want to get into gardening but may not have a green thumb. From ones with pulpy textures to ones with tiny spikes, there are over 180 succulent types to choose from. There will definitely be one that suits your liking.
How to care for it?
Make sure the succulent is not placed directly in sunlight. Succulents don’t require much water or sun. In fact, if you water your succulents too much, they may just end up drowning or bursting. Watering your succulent every 10 to 14 days is sufficient for it to grow well. Pro tip: Choose a pot with drainage holes when potting your succulent to allow for water to be drained easily.