5 TIPS FOR HAVING A GARDEN IN YOUR RV!
Do you love the RV lifestyle but miss gardening? Turns out you can have a garden on the go! Make your home on wheels a little homier with these tips on RV gardening.
1. Use containers
Container gardening is a great way to go (get it?). Container ideas include pots specifically made for RV gardens, old cans, plastic buckets, or canvas over-the-door shoe holders.
Your containers will need good drainage for your plants to thrive. Put stones in the bottom before adding soil. Speaking of soil, you’ll need to provide additional nutrients for your plants. If you’re willing to live with some wriggling, a resourceful RV trick is to make your own compost. Fill a container halfway with leaves and shredded paper. Add your leftover plant material and “green” food scraps, then add red worms. The worms will break it all down and turn it into fertile soil for your garden.
2. Create storage
Storage space for your containers is one of the biggest issues in RV gardening. One option is to create shelving on walls or in cupboards that can hold your containers. You can also install hooks for hanging planters beneath cabinets or from the ceiling. You can use suction cups attached to windows or walls to hold lighter-weight plants.
Your containers need good drainage for your plants to thrive. Put stones in the bottom in the bottom before adding soil.
3. Allow for mobility
RV life means you’ll be spending at least some of your time on the go, possibly traveling through different states. You’ll need to check state regulations on moving plants across state lines.
You’ll also need to make sure your containers are secure while you’re driving. Consider stowing larger containers in the base of your shower and smaller ones in your sink. They’ll hold each other in place and won’t spill should you have to make a sudden stop. Built-in shelves with holes to hold your containers are another good option. Secure hanging plants while you’re driving. When you’re parked, move your plants outside for some much-needed sunshine.
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4. Choose what to grow
Indoor plants can spruce up your new RV or used RV and may help purify the air. Aloe vera, jade, and snake plants add greenery, while kalanchoe and bromeliad plants add color with their vibrant blooms. Flowers such as snapdragons, violets, and petunias provide natural fragrance and color for your RV’s interior.
Craving fresh produce? No problem! Growing your own food is a healthy choice that can save you money during your RV adventures. Plus it’s fun to cook up a delicious dinner with ingredients you’ve grown in your garden. A vertical garden will fit nicely in (or outside) your RV. Tomatoes, peppers, beans, and herbs don’t take up much room and grow well inside an RV. An herb garden will also fit nicely over the sink in the kitchen area.
5. Save space
Save on space by growing different plants in the same container. Lettuce, pea shoots, and spinach grow well together. Another great combination is tomato plants, basil, and oregano. The plants share nutrients from the soil, and the herbs enhance the flavor of the tomatoes. Sun-loving herbs like thyme, rosemary, and marjoram also make good container-mates because they have the same light and water requirements.
Use these ideas to get going with your own RV garden. Even if you don’t garden at home, you might find the inspiration to hone your green thumb on the road.
by Laura Hatch
Laura Hatch is a journalist who enjoys traveling with her family and hiking around the country. She takes pride in her own kitchen herb and vegetable garden.
