How to make a home vegetable garden? 6 tips to create one

Living in Mérida is more than just buying a house — you’ll have to adapt your lifestyle to the harsh climate…

A home vegetable garden? Learn how to make your life in Mérida more sustainable by setting up a garden and taking on the hot weather.

Life in Mérida has its advantages, and for many one of them is its tropical climate. In this city the heat can be extreme and top 36ºC. These temperatures can affect plants and stress them.

To get through the hot weather it’s important to apply some maintenance tips in your garden so that Mérida’s heat isn’t an obstacle and your crops can grow healthy. We know them!

Create your own home vegetable garden

6 tips for your garden and, even better, for a home vegetable patch

A novel we recommend reading: The Private Lives of Trees, Alejandro Zambra.

1. Watering. If you want to change your lifestyle in Mérida, start with your garden and add a small vegetable patch. If possible, water your pots twice a day, once early in the morning and once at night. If the plants are in the sun, move them to a shady spot.

   Smart watering. Obviously, in hot, dry climates plants will need more water to stay healthy and productive. But it’s important to use smart watering techniques to make the most of every drop.

   Drip irrigation systems are a good option if you can’t water daily.

2. Compost. Having a high level of organic matter, or compost, mixed into the soil helps it retain more water and helps plants better tolerate the heat.

3. Weeding. Weeds can steal water and nutrients from your plants. Make sure to keep your soil weeded. To avoid overheating, it’s best to do this task early in the morning or at night.

4. Fertilisers. You might think the best way to cope with Mérida’s heat is to fertilise your crops to strengthen them. However, this only makes things worse, because plants will need even more water to process that product. So, for now, it’s better not to use any kind of fertiliser.

5. Harvesting. Don’t forget: fruiting and pod-producing species should be harvested quickly to save the plant energy.

6. Tomatoes, beans and peppers. When temperatures rise above 32ºC, many plants start to struggle. Some, like tomatoes, protect themselves by curling their leaves — a natural response that reduces water loss.

   Other plants, like beans, may also drop their flowers or simply stop producing new ones while they try to cope with the heat.

5 sustainable crops for hot climates

• Sweet potato. This crop is perfect for hot climates and can be used in many dishes. Tip: after planting, watch the plants and keep the soil moist until they form vines and start spreading across the ground. In about 90 days you can start gathering your harvest.

• Peppers. Peppers are easy to grow during the warm summer months. Slightly sweet and not at all spicy, they’re enjoyed in stews, salads, sandwiches and many recipes. Depending on when they’re harvested, they can be yellow, orange, red or green.

• Aubergine. Globe-shaped Mediterranean aubergines are the best choices for a garden in a warm climate. While growing them, make sure to water daily so they don’t get stressed.

• Cucumber. Did you know? It needs moist, nutritious soil and plenty of sun to produce abundantly.

• Courgette. Squash and courgette grow best in warm-climate environments. As your plants mature, apply this tip: cover the stems with soil to protect against damage.

Do you like the Mérida lifestyle? Start with a home vegetable garden!

You may also be interested in: 10 ways to care for your home garden in Mérida.