The Heads Up On Growing Veg, Without The Crippling Back Pain

That excruciating, pulsing ache that radiates out from your back after a hard day of gardening and growing vegetables. For some, it signifies a job well done, but it can make others question why they have been compelled to work so hard in the first place. Especially, if their back is problematic anyway. So, if you are one of the poor souls that fall into the latter category and would like the result of a healthy vegetable garden without the crippling back pain, keep reading for some useful advice.

Raised beds

One way to minimise the bending and hard work associated with growing your own crop of vegetable is to put in raised beds. These are vegetable beds that sit on top of the natural ground level, instead if under it, as is traditional. The idea is that there is less of distance to bend when tending and planting, and so saving your back.


To make your own raised bed, you first need to delineate the areas that they will cover. So use string and garden cane to map out the area. Then you need to install wooden scaffold board around the edge of this shape and fix it at the corners. Many people do this by inserting a strut at each corner and nailing each board to it where it meets. Then all that is left is for you to fill the space with soil.

To save money here, you can use materials dug out of other places in the garden.  Although topsoil and compost purchased from the garden centre will work fine too. Remember too that the higher the beds, the more soil you will need to fill the volume of the space. Although higher bed do mean less bending and are so much easier on the back.



Greenhouses are also a great way of growing some fabulous vegetables without causing crippling back pain. Especially ones like these Elite High Eave Greenhouses, as they are tall enough to stand up fully straight in when you are working, even if you are tall!

You also have the advantage of being able to work on shelves in the greenhouse, instead of the floor. So save your back, as well as ensuring that your plants get the perfect amount of sunlight and heat to start off strong.


Lastly, in a similar vein to raised beds, you can also use plastic, or wooden tubs and barrels for planting veg. Root vegetable like carrots and parsnips grow especially well in these types of containers.

Their main advantage over raised beds is that they don't take up so much room. So are perfect for those with smaller gardens that want to minimise the back breaking work associated with planting, tending and harvesting veg.

It is worth noting too that you can grow other types of fruit and vegetables in these barrels such as lettuces. However, as they are so deep, it's probably not the best use of space. So choose a shallow window box and house it on a plant shelf for access that is easy on your back instead.

Size Doesn't Matter: Practical Tips For Growing Food In A Small Space

Many people mistakenly think they need a large garden, or even farmland, to grow food. This isn’t true, as it is possible to yield a sizeable harvest in the smallest of spaces. So, if you don’t have a garden, or you don’t think your land is big enough to grow food, we have some ideas you may find useful.

Use the space you have

So you don’t have a garden? Fear not, there are other spaces where food can be grown. Planters can be hung on balconies and fences, and you can also affix them to the walls on the exterior of your home. You could grow fruit from vines, such as grapes, by lining them around mailbox or fence posts. You might also place pots and planters on your windowsill. So, despite your lack of garden space, you can utilize other areas around your home.

Buy a greenhouse

You may not have a garden, but if you have a yard space outside your home, greenhouses are perfect. They can come in all kinds of sizes, from around 4 feet to 12 feet, so you could feasibly buy something that can be accommodated in your space. A greenhouse can be used to grow crops all year round, so even during the colder months, temperature controlled heaters can be used to maintain food and plant growth.

Remember to fertilize

When gardening in a small area, such as a planter or a raised bed, your crops will deplete the nutrients in the soil faster than they would in a larger area. So if you have tried this idea, but given up because you don’t think it’s practical, you have probably failed to fertilize sufficiently. There is advice here on how to fertilize container plants, including using compost teas, that will help you get the most from your small-scale gardening.

Attract pollinators

Pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, are essential to a garden’s success. Through cross-pollination, they fertilize plants and food crops, encouraging growth. Therefore, always mix flowers in with your vegetables and herbs, as the scent and bright colours will invite the pollinators in to get about their business. You should also think about planting edible herbs, such as dill and basil, which will also attract our insect friends.

Maximize your space

If you only have a small amount of space, you don’t want to plant any varieties that will leave little room for anything else. So, if you only have a square foot of soil, forget about cauliflower and broccoli in that area, as not only do they take up space, but they only yield one harvest. Instead, plant those foods that won’t take up a lot of space, and have higher yields. For example, carrots, onions, radishes, and lettuce, are perfect for those of you growing in small pieces of land or containers.

Grow miniature fruiting trees

You can grow miniature fruiting trees on a small patch in your garden, or in a container, allowing you to have your quota of fresh fruit without having to grow an orchard. Nearly every fruit imaginable can be grown, from apples to peaches, so you can buy according to taste. For a faster yield, buy at least two, as this will allow them to cross-pollinate.


Great things do come in small packages, so don’t let your lack of space put you off from growing food. Let us know if you have ideas of your own.