- FAQs for first time gardeners
- About the Planty Garden
- What is a Planty Garden in a nutshell?
- Hi, I'm Jelle
- What can Planty Gardening do for you?
- What is a Planty Garden exactly and how does it work?
- The Planty Gardening system
- Growing vegetables in your Planty Garden
- Sowing in your Planty Garden
- About where to put which vegetables and crop rotation
- Plant, sow, or pre-sow?
- Harvesting as long and efficiently as possible
- Mistakes beginners make in the vegetable garden
- What isn't a Planty Garden
- Square Foot Gardening: the starting point for Planty
- Why not grow a regular vegetable garden?
This is background info you don't need to know when you use our app.
View the MM app
- FAQs for first time gardeners
- About the Planty Garden
- What is a Planty Garden in a nutshell?
- Hi, I'm Jelle
- What can Planty Gardening do for you?
- What is a Planty Garden exactly and how does it work?
- The Planty Gardening system
- Growing vegetables in your Planty Garden
- Sowing in your Planty Garden
- About where to put which vegetables and crop rotation
- Plant, sow, or pre-sow?
- Harvesting as long and efficiently as possible
- Mistakes beginners make in the vegetable garden
- What isn't a Planty Garden
- Square Foot Gardening: the starting point for Planty
- Why not grow a regular vegetable garden?
FAQs for first time Planty gardeners
New to Planty Gardening? Welcome 🙂
You probably have some questions. I've summed up the most common ones here.
You probably have some questions. I've summed up the most common ones here.
You'll discover a lot of the answers yourself once you have your own Planty Garden. You learn as you go.
But maybe you want to know more before you get started. You're not the only one 🙂
But maybe you want to know more before you get started. You're not the only one 🙂
Looking for a quick intro to Planty Gardening?
Then take a look at these pages first:
Like the idea?
Then sign up for our newsletter. You'll get tips to start you off right. The first newsletter is all about the 3 mistakes everybody - and especially every beginner- makes.
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After that, I'll send you a kind of mini-crash course on the Planty way of growing.
You'll understand why we do what we do, how we do things differently from most vegetable growers, and how we skip the unnecessary, unfun stuff.
You'll understand why we do what we do, how we do things differently from most vegetable growers, and how we skip the unnecessary, unfun stuff.
Frequently Asked Questions from beginners
Still have a question? We've got you covered. Here are answers to the most common questions we get from first-timers.
FAQs and answers:
Unlike a regular vegetable garden, you can start a Planty Garden pretty much anytime.
How is that possible? I lay it all out on this page.
How is that possible? I lay it all out on this page.
You can find a whole series about the app in the Planty library. Why we made it, how to use it, and more.
Head to the knowledge base to read about the app
Head to the knowledge base to read about the app
Head to our detailed FAQ just for the app. I'm sure you'll find the answers you're looking for there.
No, it's not always necessary. In fact, most vegetable varieties can be sown directly into your garden box.
But if you want to sow your own tomatoes, there's no way around it.
Read here about pre-sowing, when to do it and when not to.
But if you want to sow your own tomatoes, there's no way around it.
Read here about pre-sowing, when to do it and when not to.
About our way of growing:
That's an important part of our system's success. If you want to read about that, start here:
Read all about the Planty way to grow.
Read all about the Planty way to grow.
In a Planty Garden, you don't sow in rows but in square vegetable patches. The plants are sown in the right spot and at the right distance from each other. They have just enough room to grow. It doesn't get more efficient than that 🙂
It will if you work with the Planty Gardening system and products: that's what it is made for.
But if you grow in a traditional vegetable garden. the app won't help you much.
Read more about the app.
But if you grow in a traditional vegetable garden. the app won't help you much.
Read more about the app.
That's none of our business 😉 You don't have to worry about that in a Planty Garden.
Why? Because we put all sorts of different plant families in 1 garden box. And we (almost) never sow the same thing twice in a row in the same square patch.
Why? Because we put all sorts of different plant families in 1 garden box. And we (almost) never sow the same thing twice in a row in the same square patch.
Yes, it is. Because our soil mix is so airy and nutritious, the plants don't have to grow big roots to find nutrients and moisture. So, a layer of 15 to 20 cm of soil mix is enough for almost all plants.
Compare that to a regular vegetable garden: you need your soil at least 30 cm deep, or even 45 cm deep.
Compare that to a regular vegetable garden: you need your soil at least 30 cm deep, or even 45 cm deep.
About the mix, seeds, and other products:
No. Really, it's just not the same. I can give you countless reasons for this: all your plants grow well in the MM-Mix, it's easy to work with, and you don't have to water your plants nearly as often as you do with other soil mixes.
But the most important reason is this:
You grow a lot of vegetables in a small area in a Planty Garden, so you need to use a soil mix that is made specifically for that.
You can read more about using soil mix to grow in small spaces here.
But the most important reason is this:
You grow a lot of vegetables in a small area in a Planty Garden, so you need to use a soil mix that is made specifically for that.
You can read more about using soil mix to grow in small spaces here.
Yes, it is. You can leave this soil mix in your garden box indefinitely and never have to replace it - unlike potting soil.
The plants do use up some of the nutrients, so once in a while you give it a nutrient boost. That's easy to do: just add a few tablespoons of our natural plant food. It's made to restore that perfect nutritional balance to your mix. You don't have to mess with other fertilizers. How great is that?
The soil mix will become more compacted after a year or so. That's because the compost and fibers in it eventually decay. But instead of removing all of it and replacing it, just top it off with fresh soil mix. For a 120x120 cm garden box that comes to about 1 bag of soil mix every year and a half.
The plants do use up some of the nutrients, so once in a while you give it a nutrient boost. That's easy to do: just add a few tablespoons of our natural plant food. It's made to restore that perfect nutritional balance to your mix. You don't have to mess with other fertilizers. How great is that?
The soil mix will become more compacted after a year or so. That's because the compost and fibers in it eventually decay. But instead of removing all of it and replacing it, just top it off with fresh soil mix. For a 120x120 cm garden box that comes to about 1 bag of soil mix every year and a half.
No, you don't have to. But if you do, we can guarantee you'll have a successful vegetable garden.
If you don't, the only thing you really can't do without is the MM-Mix. But you can build the garden boxes yourself if you want.
If you don't, the only thing you really can't do without is the MM-Mix. But you can build the garden boxes yourself if you want.
You can start with any garden box, it doesn't really matter. Even the biggest box should work out just fine. But if you're not sure whether you're going to like it, or if you really doubt you can handle it, just start small.
For example with an MM-Airbak. It grows 4 types of vegetables in 4 square patches at once (60x60 cm). You can start for as little as €59. That includes the soil mix.
For example with an MM-Airbak. It grows 4 types of vegetables in 4 square patches at once (60x60 cm). You can start for as little as €59. That includes the soil mix.
Because we don't think they're the best match for growing with our system. They are either:
- difficult to grow
- take up a ridiculous amount of space
- always attract aphids or other pests
- are not meant for the local climate
- need to stay in their patch for a looong time
- or barely produce anything
And sometimes even all of the above.
The Planty Gardening app was designed to work perfectly with the seeds we've selected - the MM-Seeds. We chose these seeds because we know they are all easy, tasty, and fun to grow. Many other vegetables don't check those boxes.
We know exactly how these plant varieties grow too. That's important, because every stage of each plant's life is outlined in the app: Robbin made more than 1000 illustrations of them 🙂
We don't include vegetables we haven't tried out ourselves.
We test a number of new varieties every year and invite you and other Planty gardeners to try them out too. If we're all enthusiastic, it goes in the app and our seed shop. That's how new seeds make the cut.
We know exactly how these plant varieties grow too. That's important, because every stage of each plant's life is outlined in the app: Robbin made more than 1000 illustrations of them 🙂
We don't include vegetables we haven't tried out ourselves.
We test a number of new varieties every year and invite you and other Planty gardeners to try them out too. If we're all enthusiastic, it goes in the app and our seed shop. That's how new seeds make the cut.
No, but all of them are 100% natural. That's very important to us.
Take our seeds: they're not officially organic, but unofficially so. They aren't certified organic, but they come from growers who work in a purely natural way and don't use pesticides.
So, the seeds are unprocessed and don't have a coating that is harmful to insects. They're not genetically modified either (non-GMO). This is super important. You grow your own vegetables for a reason, right? 🙂
We could apply for an organic label for the soil mix and nutrients without a problem. All the ingredients in them have SKAL approval, it's the combination of them all together that doesn't.
So why don't we have an organic label?
Applying for organic certification is complicated and ridiculously expensive. Many seed growers can't handle those costs.
And a label like that does not say all that much either. For example, our soil mix and nutrients are purer and more responsibly sourced than many products with a certificate.
Plus, we would have to make our products much more expensive, and we don't want that. Not for us and definitely not for you.
Take our seeds: they're not officially organic, but unofficially so. They aren't certified organic, but they come from growers who work in a purely natural way and don't use pesticides.
So, the seeds are unprocessed and don't have a coating that is harmful to insects. They're not genetically modified either (non-GMO). This is super important. You grow your own vegetables for a reason, right? 🙂
We could apply for an organic label for the soil mix and nutrients without a problem. All the ingredients in them have SKAL approval, it's the combination of them all together that doesn't.
So why don't we have an organic label?
Applying for organic certification is complicated and ridiculously expensive. Many seed growers can't handle those costs.
And a label like that does not say all that much either. For example, our soil mix and nutrients are purer and more responsibly sourced than many products with a certificate.
Plus, we would have to make our products much more expensive, and we don't want that. Not for us and definitely not for you.
Yes. The houseplants we have at home do great in our MM-Mix.
But because our soil mix is different from the potting soil most houseplants are grown in, be extra careful with plants that you've had longer than a year. When repotting to a larger pot, leave the existing soil and only add our soil mix to top off the pot. That way the move is easier on your plant.
You can also use our MM-Plantfood to give houseplants a nutrient boost. But be super frugal with it: most houseplants hardly need any.
Cuttings can be put directly on the soil mix too: better than potting soil. Just watch how they grow 🙂
But because our soil mix is different from the potting soil most houseplants are grown in, be extra careful with plants that you've had longer than a year. When repotting to a larger pot, leave the existing soil and only add our soil mix to top off the pot. That way the move is easier on your plant.
You can also use our MM-Plantfood to give houseplants a nutrient boost. But be super frugal with it: most houseplants hardly need any.
Cuttings can be put directly on the soil mix too: better than potting soil. Just watch how they grow 🙂
About your garden and plants:
A lot of sun is not a problem. In spring and fall it's actually a big advantage.
Only in the middle of summer, when it's really sunny, dry, and hot for days on end do you need to take action.
Just need to give your vegetables extra water and provide shade during the hottest part of the day - especially there are leafy vegetables like lettuce.
Personally, we just move the parasol over so the garden box is in its shadow. But I've seen others use sheets attached to the trellis for fuller coverage.
Only in the middle of summer, when it's really sunny, dry, and hot for days on end do you need to take action.
Just need to give your vegetables extra water and provide shade during the hottest part of the day - especially there are leafy vegetables like lettuce.
Personally, we just move the parasol over so the garden box is in its shadow. But I've seen others use sheets attached to the trellis for fuller coverage.
Close to home, in the sun, preferably a little protected from the wind, and not too close to trees and bushes.
Here's more on how to find the best location for your garden box, what areas won't work, and what else to keep in mind.
Here's more on how to find the best location for your garden box, what areas won't work, and what else to keep in mind.
Close to home, in the sun, preferably a little protected from the wind, and not too close to trees and bushes.
Here's more on how to find the best location for your garden box, what areas won't work, and what else to keep in mind.
Here's more on how to find the best location for your garden box, what areas won't work, and what else to keep in mind.
That's up to you. A garden box on legs - our garden tables - work the same way as the garden boxes that rest on the ground.
A table is ideal if you like gardening sitting or standing. Or if you have difficulty bending over or are in a wheelchair.
A bonus feature is that snails, slugs, cats, or rabbits have a tougher time reaching your plants.
But there are also some drawbacks:
A table is ideal if you like gardening sitting or standing. Or if you have difficulty bending over or are in a wheelchair.
A bonus feature is that snails, slugs, cats, or rabbits have a tougher time reaching your plants.
But there are also some drawbacks:
- A garden table is more expensive, just because of the material. We use quality stainless steel legs so the tables will be sturdy and last for years.
- You have to water your plants a little more often than a garden box that's resting directly on the ground. The bottom of the garden table has holes in it to drain excess water faster.
- If you place a trellis on your garden table, you'll soon have to use a ladder to harvest your beans 😉
No, a lot of seeds can be sown much earlier because they're resistant to cold. Some can even handle a little frost.
Maybe you're thinking of plants that die when the temperature drops below freezing. Like tomatoes and other summer vegetables that you first pre-sow indoors.
After mid-May, the chance of late frost is almost zero. That's when you can let the pre-sown plants get used to the outdoors.
You can find more info on that here.
Maybe you're thinking of plants that die when the temperature drops below freezing. Like tomatoes and other summer vegetables that you first pre-sow indoors.
After mid-May, the chance of late frost is almost zero. That's when you can let the pre-sown plants get used to the outdoors.
You can find more info on that here.
Sure, you can also buy young plants from the garden center, I do that myself sometimes in early spring.
But most species can be sown directly outside in your garden. Read more about that here.
Sometimes self-sowing isn't practical. For example, I prefer to buy most of my herbs.
But most species can be sown directly outside in your garden. Read more about that here.
Sometimes self-sowing isn't practical. For example, I prefer to buy most of my herbs.
You probably need fewer than you think. A Planty Garden yields 5x as much per square meter as a regular vegetable garden where the plants are in the ground.
You can read exactly how many garden boxes you need here.
You can read exactly how many garden boxes you need here.
That shouldn't be a problem, as long as you grow the shorter varieties on the south side and the taller ones on the north side. If you don't, your plants will be in each other's shade.
If you're adding a trellis, attach it on the north side. If you can't and have to attach it on the west or east side, at least place the plants that need the most sun (e.g. tomatoes) on the south side and the rest behind them. Peas and beans can manage with a little less sun.
If you're adding a trellis, attach it on the north side. If you can't and have to attach it on the west or east side, at least place the plants that need the most sun (e.g. tomatoes) on the south side and the rest behind them. Peas and beans can manage with a little less sun.
I certainly don't recommend that.
In a garden box on top of the ground, you can separate the mix from the substrate by putting a weed cloth along the bottom.
If you dig a hole, it's much more difficult to keep the soil mix separate, even if you use a weed mat. There's a good chance you'll scoop next to it and.
Without the height of the box, you'll also stand on the mix more often, and that's not great. Footballs and basketballs will roll into the mix sooner. A garden box provides a barrier to crawling animals. Plus, without clear sides, it's tougher to divide into clear square patches.
What you can do is bury a garden box partially in the ground. But even then you should preferably have the edges stick out above the ground around it.
In a garden box on top of the ground, you can separate the mix from the substrate by putting a weed cloth along the bottom.
If you dig a hole, it's much more difficult to keep the soil mix separate, even if you use a weed mat. There's a good chance you'll scoop next to it and.
Without the height of the box, you'll also stand on the mix more often, and that's not great. Footballs and basketballs will roll into the mix sooner. A garden box provides a barrier to crawling animals. Plus, without clear sides, it's tougher to divide into clear square patches.
What you can do is bury a garden box partially in the ground. But even then you should preferably have the edges stick out above the ground around it.
If you use your own compost, it usually doesn't contain enough nutrients. To supplement it you can use our MM-Plantfood, although it's difficult to say how much.
With regular compost, I would first use half the usual amount. With worm compost a little less: for example a quarter.
Then watch it for a while. If you notice your plants turning yellow or not growing enough, then add a little extra.
Note: don't ever use more than the prescribed amount, because too many nutrients can be just as bad as too little.
With regular compost, I would first use half the usual amount. With worm compost a little less: for example a quarter.
Then watch it for a while. If you notice your plants turning yellow or not growing enough, then add a little extra.
Note: don't ever use more than the prescribed amount, because too many nutrients can be just as bad as too little.
Vegetable garden boxes come in all shapes and sizes. Small and large, cheap and expensive, sturdy and busted. And made from all kinds of materials.
But not all containers are suitable for a Planty Garden.
For example, I sometimes see those plastic elevated garden boxes on legs. They look nice enough, but they're not the right size, are too deep and don't have good drainage. And the material doesn't allow the soil mix - or the root ball of your plants - to breathe properly.
A real Planty Garden box must meet a number of criteria.
But not all containers are suitable for a Planty Garden.
For example, I sometimes see those plastic elevated garden boxes on legs. They look nice enough, but they're not the right size, are too deep and don't have good drainage. And the material doesn't allow the soil mix - or the root ball of your plants - to breathe properly.
A real Planty Garden box must meet a number of criteria.
Still have a question?
Can't find the answer here - or in the rest of the knowledge base?
Then you can always contact us directly.
Then you can always contact us directly.
I'm sure you'll get the answers you need. That's what we're here for 🙂
Enjoy your Planty Garden!
Enjoy your Planty Garden!
Planty system
- FAQs for first time gardeners
- About the Planty Garden
- What is a Planty Garden in a nutshell?
- Hi, I'm Jelle
- What can Planty Gardening do for you?
- What is a Planty Garden exactly and how does it work?
- The Planty Gardening system
- Growing vegetables in your Planty Garden
- Sowing in your Planty Garden
- About where to put which vegetables and crop rotation
- Plant, sow, or pre-sow?
- Harvesting as long and efficiently as possible
- Mistakes beginners make in the vegetable garden
- What isn't a Planty Garden
- Square Foot Gardening: the starting point for Planty
- Why not grow a regular vegetable garden?
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