Agri Kultuur October / Oktober 2014 | Page 57

where the produce we eat is grown and what chemicals were used in the process, home grown is the answer. By doing companion planting you are able to control pests the organic way. Marigolds and peppermint in the garden will help you to keep your veggies pest-free whilst using these deterrent herbs in your cooking as well. Variety: Your supermarket only stocks the most popular fruits and veggies while there are thousands of varieties to suit your taste and preference. Shopping around on the Internet will bring you into contact with a multitude of companies supplying a large array of vegetable seed. What to plant in your hanging garden Let’s look at which vegetables can be grown upside down: Tomatoes: One of the best known upside down vegetables. While any size tomatoes can be grown upside down, cherry tomatoes or alternatively your medium sized varieties tend to be easier to manage. (Also see our how to plant tomatoes upside down elsewhere in this edition) Cucumbers: In a hanging garden, any vining vegetable can be grown and cucumbers are often a popular choice. The smaller fruit varieties, again, do better. Eggplants: Do consider eggplants but opt for the smaller fruit varieties such as those from the egg shaped varieties or alternatively, miniature or slender Asian varieties. Beans: Do very well in hanging vegetable gardens upside down. Both runner and bush beans can be successfully grown this way. Peppers: Being closely related to tomatoes, peppers are excellent upside down vegetables - any variety, bell, hot peppers, jalapenos etc. Growing vegetables upside down can be an excellent solution for small areas. Now that you know what vegetables can be grown upside down, you can start an upside down garden and enjoy those tasty home grown vegetables and at the same time become food secure. Be adventurous, EXPERIMENT! Acknowledgements: http:// crazyhorsesghost.hubpages.com/ hub/5-Reasons-To-Grow-Your-OwnFruit-And-Vegetab Upside gardening containers vary in shapes and sizes. In this picture a healthy tomato plant has been planted in the bottom while strawberries are planted in the watering end – a good combination as both lend themselves to upside down planting. Cucumbers also grow wel upside down. However, stick to the smaller vine varieties to avoid breaking of the plant. Photo: www.4.bp.blogspot.com See how well these hot pepper plants do upside down Photo: www.cdn.instructables.com Photo: www.mg90.imageshack.us