Home Gardening Made Easy

Make your own mini home garden using terracotta pots

Why choose terracotta pots?

They are environmentally healthy because they are naturally made and biodegradable. They are also lighter in weight so moving them or hanging them for home decor is easier. They can also last long, if handled properly (like avoiding damage from freezing temperatures).

Grow your own vegetables in homemade compost

Vegetables like tomatoes, lettuce, spinach and chillies grow well in small pots. You can also go the extra mile and make your own compost from kitchen waste.

How much compost do you need?

For pots or containers:

Pot/container Size

i. Small (6-8 inch) for herbs, lettuce.

ii. Medium (10-12 inch) for spinach, chillies.

iii. Large (14-16 inch) tomato, eggplant.

Amount of Compost

i. 1-2kg (about ⅓ pot)

ii. 3-4 kg

iii. 5-6 kg

Mix

i. 1 part compost+ 1 part garden soil+ 1 part sand

ii. 40% compost+ 40% garden soil + 20% sand

iii. 50% compost + 30% soil + 20% sand

NOTE : Never use pure compost, always mix it with soil and sand. Pure compost can be too rich and may “burn” roots.

How to make homemade compost?

Materials:

1. Kitchen waste; peels of fruits, shells of eggs, vegetable scraps, tea leaves, coffee grounds, fresh grass, green leaves.

2. Compost bin or container (2).

3. Soil

4. Water spray bottle

Procedure:

1. Prepare the Bin:

○ Drill small holes on the sides and bottom for air.

○ Place the main container inside a similar container (to collect seeping water).

2. Add Waste in Layers:

○ Add a layer of brown waste (dry leaves/paper).

○ Then add a layer of green waste (vegetable peels, fruit scraps).

○ Sprinkle a handful of soil.

○ Repeat this layering until the bin is nearly full.

3. Maintain Moisture:

○ Spray water lightly after every few layers, make sure the materials are damp.

○ Don’t over irrigate, it can cause odor.

4. Turn the Compost:

○ Every 5–7 days, mix the compost using a stick or spade. This adds oxygen and speeds up decomposition.

5. Wait and Observe:

○ Composting takes 30–45 days depending on temperature and moisture.

○ It’s ready when it looks dark brown, crumbly, and smells earthy.

Tips

Don’t use meat, dairy, oily food, peels of citrus fruits as they are slower to compost and attract insects.
If it smells bad, add dry leaves or mix more often.
If the compost is dry, spray water accordingly.

Alina Khalid Nafees

The Leaf Project Executive

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