Home garden: complete guide with local varieties

Q: Where can I buy seeds of local varieties?

In our online store, you will find a wide selection of seeds of traditional varieties from Mallorca, with a sowing calendar and detailed information sheets.

Creating a garden at home is one of the most rewarding experiences we can undertake. Not only does it allow us to enjoy fresh, healthy food grown by ourselves, but it also reconnects us with nature and provides us with a space to relax.

For us it is key to preserve agricultural biodiversity and promote the cultivation of local varieties, which is why we have created this complete guide to help you start your own vegetable garden at home, whether on a balcony, terrace or a small urban garden.

Growing a home vegetable garden does not require large areas of land or advanced knowledge. With a little dedication, the right materials and following some basic advice, you can enjoy the satisfaction of growing your own food. In addition, by choosing local varieties adapted to the Mediterranean climate, you will be contributing to the preservation of biodiversity and will have better results in your crops.

In this guide, we'll explain step by step how to create and maintain a vegetable garden at home, from choosing the space and materials needed, to selecting seeds of local varieties to grow according to the season. We'll also share practical tips for daily care and pest prevention in an ecological way.

Benefits of having a vegetable garden at home

Before we delve into the practical aspects, it is important to know the multiple benefits that having a vegetable garden at home brings us.

Healthy and environmentally friendly food

Growing our own food allows us to consume fresh, pesticide-free products with high nutritional values and properties. In addition, we reduce our ecological footprint by reducing the transportation and packaging of food.

Economic savings

Although the initial investment is high, in the medium and long term a well-managed home garden can mean considerable savings on the purchase of vegetables and aromatic herbs.

Benefits for physical and mental health

Gardening involves moderate physical activity and contact with nature, which has been shown to reduce stress and improve our emotional well-being.

In addition, it gives us the satisfaction of seeing something we have cultivated with our own hands grow.

Education and family connection

A home garden is an excellent educational tool for children, allowing them to learn about biology, ecology and food. It can also become an activity to do as a family.

Preservation of biodiversity

When we grow local and traditional varieties, we help preserve the genetic diversity of our crops, which is often threatened by intensive industrial agriculture. Furthermore, if we want to reproduce our own seeds from some of the crops, we will learn to know from which part of the fruit the seeds come and what is the crop cycle that the plants must develop to reproduce and produce seeds.

Planning the home garden

The first step to creating a garden at home is to evaluate the space you have.

It doesn't matter if you have a small balcony, a sunny terrace or simply a window; there are always options adapted to each situation:

Balcony: Ideal for growing in planters or vertical systems. You can use the railings to hang plants or install shelves to maximize space.
Terrace: It offers more possibilities, even allowing the installation of grow tables or large containers. You can create different zones according to the light needs of each plant.
Inside: If you don't have outdoor space, some plants such as aromatic herbs or even some vegetables can be grown indoors with good lighting.
Window: Sunny bottle jars are perfect for small pots with aromatic herbs or smaller plants.

Environmental conditions

Once the space has been identified, it is essential to analyze the environmental conditions:

Light: Most vegetables need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Observe how the sun hits your space throughout the day and throughout the different seasons.
Wind: On high balconies or highly exposed areas, wind can damage plants or dry out the substrate quickly. Consider installing windbreaks if necessary.
Temperature: Identify the maximum and minimum temperatures in your area to choose crops adapted to your local climate.
Access to water: Make sure you have easy access to water for regular watering of your plants.

Cultivation system

Depending on the space and conditions, you can opt for different growing systems:

Cultivation in pots and planters: The most versatile and accessible option. It allows you to move plants according to your needs and is ideal for small spaces.
Cultivation tables: They make the work easier and provide good depth for the roots.
Vertical gardens: They take advantage of the overhead space through structures such as shelves or recycled pallets.

In our online store you will find seeds of local varieties to grow at home

Materials for making a vegetable garden at home

Substrates and fertilizers

The substrate is essential for the success of your home garden, buy as local as possible and that has organic certification:

Universal substrate: Base for most crops, but usually needs to be enriched.
Composed: Add organic matter and nutrients. You can buy it or produce it yourself with organic kitchen scraps if you have space you can make your own compost. It is a very enriching process. There are different options for making compost, although it should be taken into account that it is usually acidic, so it is better to mix it with other substrates.
Worm humus: Excellent natural fertilizer rich in beneficial microorganisms.

A good mix for container gardens could be: 70% universal substrate and 30% compost.

Basic tools

You don't need many tools for a home garden, but these are the basics:

Gardening shovel: For transplanting and working in small pots.
Pruning shears: To harvest and perform maintenance pruning.
Irrigation system or sprinkler: Adapted to the size of your garden.
Sprayer: Useful for foliar irrigation or application of ecological treatments.
Garden gloves: To protect your hands during maintenance tasks.

Irrigation systems

Watering is one of the most important aspects of caring for your garden:

Manual irrigation: With watering can or hose. Ideal for small gardens where you can control each plant individually.
Drip irrigation: More efficient in water use. There are simple kits for balconies and terraces.
Automatic irrigation with programmer: Perfect if you can't water or to maintain constant watering.
Self-irrigation systems: Reservoir that allows the plant to absorb water according to its needs.

Selecting crops for your home garden

Factors to consider

Before choosing what to grow, consider these factors:

Available space: Some plants like zucchini or tomatoes need more space than aromatic herbs or lettuce.
Climatic conditions: Choose varieties adapted to your local climate.
Season: Each crop has its optimal time for planting and development.
Your culinary preferences: Grow what you actually consume.
Experience level: If you are a beginner, start with easier crops like lettuce, arugula or aromatic herbs.

Recommended crops for balconies and terraces

Aromatic plants: Basil, parsley, thyme, rosemary, mint. They take up little space and are very useful in the kitchen.
Leafy vegetables: Lettuce, spinach, arugula, onions.
Peppers: Especially the local varieties that have the smallest pepper, such as the vinegar pepper, the red pepper and the cortí cap pepper.
Tomatoes: Especially low-growing tomatoes, such as the ramellet de mateta tomato or the pear tomato.
Carrot and radish: For deep cossiols, you can grow purple carrots and Mallorcan radishes. Two very interesting winter varieties that are very tasty if picked when tender.

Recommended local varieties

Seed sowing calendar

At the Local Varieties Association we especially promote the cultivation of local varieties due to their multiple advantages:

Better adaptation to the climatic conditions of the area.
More resistance to pests and diseases.
Authentic flavors and unique nutritional characteristics.
Contribution to the preservation of agricultural biodiversity.

Some local varieties recommended for home or urban gardens include:

A balcony of aromatic plants is ideal for your home, here is a selection of ours aromatic flowers.
For tomato lovers, here you have all the types of tomato seeds that we reproduce.
To make a delicious salad, you have the choice of’summer lettuces and winter lettuces. You can also add spinach leaves.
For those who like to sow peppers and eggplants We have a very interesting selection.

And if you want, here are other seeds for your urban garden:

Ox heart tomato: A traditional Mallorcan variety, perfect if you have a little more space and can be potted.
“Three-eyed” lettuce: Adapted to the Mediterranean climate, this lettuce is heat-resistant and offers tender, crunchy leaves. Its cultivation is simple, making it ideal for beginners.
Purple eggplant: It has a very delicate taste. It is used for toasting, frying and filling.
Green leaf basil: It is consumed as a condiment. Very aromatic. It is ideal for cooking, widely used for pesto sauce.

A fundamental aspect for the success of your home garden is respecting planting calendars. Here is a basic guide by season:

Spring (March – April – May): It's time to sow most warm-season crops. Ideal for starting a home vegetable garden.

“Calàpot” melon: Dark green in color with black spots. White paste and medium texture.
White stone watermelon: Light green in color with darker green stripes. It has a lot of white, large seeds.
White kidney bean: It can be sown from the end of April to the beginning of July.

Summer (June – July – August): Time to keep the garden productive with quick sowing and autumn preparation.

Long pumpkin: Sowing can begin in mid-May until the end of June.
Cauliflower of Saint Anthony: The seedlings are planted between July and August and transplanted from August to September.
Mallorcan parsley: It is sown in rows or clusters from mid-August to mid-February. Although it is a crop that, if well watered, can be grown throughout the year.

Autumn (September – October – November): Ideal for leaf and root crops that prefer mild or cool temperatures.

Winter spinach: Sowing is direct from September to February and harvesting is between November and April.
White onion: It can be sown from October.
Purple carrot: It is sown between August and November by direct sowing.

Winter (December – January – February): It's time to plan crops, check seeds, prepare the soil and design the garden for spring.

These are the most important months for people who grow summer vegetables, it's time to plant tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and lettuce.

Tomato with a sprig of thyme: In this case, transplant when temperatures increase. Ideal for pots.
Padron pepper: In protected nursery, transplanted in May.
White eggplant: It is sown from mid-January to April. It can be transplanted in April and May.

Do you want to know more about who we are, what we do and how you can get involved?

Cultivation techniques for your home garden

Sowing and transplanting

There are two main ways to start your crops:

Direct sowing: Placing the seeds directly in their final location. Ideal for crops such as pumpkins, melons, watermelons, peas or beans
Seedlings and transplanting: Starting plants in small containers and transplanting them when they are sufficiently developed. Recommended for tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and most vegetables that have the smallest seeds.

For planting in seedlings:

Use specific trays or recycled containers with drainage.
Use fine and light substrate, specific for seedlings.
Sow at the recommended depth (usually twice the size of the seed).
Try to maintain constant humidity.
Sow in a warm and bright place, but without direct sun until germination.
Transplant when the seedling has 3-4 true leaves.

For transplantation:

Choose a cloudy day or transplant in the evening.
Water the plant well before removing the seedlings.
Place them at the same depth they were in the nursery (except for tomatoes, which can be buried deeper).
Water abundantly after transplanting.

Favorable associations

Crop associations consist of combining plants that mutually benefit:

Tomato + Basil: Basil repels insects harmful to tomatoes and improves their flavor.
Carrot + Onion: They protect each other from their specific pests.
Winter lettuce + Radish: Use of space (fast cultivation next to a slower one).
Beans + Corn: Beans fix nitrogen that corn takes advantage of.

Avoid unfavorable associations such as:

Tomato with potato or fennel.
Peas with garlic or onion.

Crop rotation

Even in a home garden it is important to practice crop rotation to:

Prevent the depletion of specific nutrients.
Reduce the incidence of pests and diseases.
Maintain the health of the substrate.

You can follow this basic rotation scheme:

Nitrogen-demanding crops: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, zucchini.
Leafy crops: Lettuce, spinach, cabbage.
Legumes: Beans, peas, broad beans (fix nitrogen).
Roots: Carrots, radishes, onions.

Maintaining the garden at home

Watering an urban garden

Watering is one of the most critical aspects of caring for your home garden:

Frequency: It depends on the climate, the season and the type of plant. In general, it is better to water deeply less frequently than little and often.
Moment: Preferably early in the morning or in the evening, avoiding the hours of maximum heat.
Method: Always water the soil, not the leaves, to prevent fungal diseases.
Quantity: The substrate should be moist but not soaked. In pots, wait until the top layer is dry to the touch before watering again.

Some plants such as tomatoes or peppers prefer spaced but abundant watering, while lettuce or aromatic herbs appreciate more frequent and light watering.

Organic fertilization

In a vegetable garden on the balcony, terrace or garden, organic fertilization is the healthiest and most sustainable option:

Homemade compost: If you have space, you can make your own compost with kitchen and garden scraps.
Worm compost: Excellent organic fertilizer, rich in nutrients and beneficial microorganisms.
Commercial organic fertilizers: There are multiple specific options for organic gardens.
Vegetable slurry: Preparations with nettles, comfrey or horsetail that provide nutrients and strengthen plants.

Apply fertilizers following these guidelines:

Incorporate compost into the substrate before planting or transplanting.
Reduce fertilization during winter or periods of lower activity.
Avoid excess nitrogen, which produces a lot of foliage but little production, and increases the incidence of pests.

Ecological control of pests and diseases

In a home garden it is essential to prevent and control pests and diseases in an ecological way, here are some recommendations:

Keep the plants well nourished and properly watered.
Promote biodiversity with flowers that attract beneficial insects.
Practice crop rotation and association.
Observe your plants regularly to detect problems in time.
Maintain good ventilation between plants.
Apply natural insecticides or chromatic traps.

Harvest and processing

Each vegetable has its ideal time to harvest:

Tomatoes: When they have developed their characteristic color but are still firm
Lettuce: Before they send out the flower stem (spike).
Zucchini: Young and tender, 15-20 cm.
Aromatic herbs: Just before flowering, when they have the highest concentration of essential oils.
Carrots and radishes: When they reach their full size but before they become fibrous.

To take advantage of harvest surpluses, you can preserve them in the following way:

Freezing: Ideal for aromatic herbs, peppers, green beans or spinach.
Dehydration: Perfect for tomatoes, aromatic herbs or fruits.
Pickles: For cucumbers, onions or carrots.
Preserves in oil: For dried tomatoes, eggplants or peppers.
Jams: For strawberries, tomatoes or sweet peppers.

The AVL catalog

The catalog of local varieties illustrates the different varieties of vegetables and legumes that the network of seed multipliers produces to offer to the population.

Find out in the catalog when to sow and when to harvest local varieties.

Start your vegetable garden: tips for beginners

If you are new to the world of urban and home gardens, start with:

Lettuce and other leaves: Quick, easy and with staggered harvests.
Radishes: Visible results in 3-4 weeks, very rewarding.
Aromatic herbs: Resistant, useful in small quantities and decorative.

Common mistakes to avoid

Excess irrigation: It causes more problems than lack of water.
Too small cosies: They limit the development of roots.
Too many plants together: They compete for resources and promote diseases.
Inadequate exposure: Insufficient sunlight or excessive wind.
Incorrect substrate: Too heavy or with poor drainage.
Excessive fertilization: It can “burn” plants or cause weak growth.

Additional resources

On our website you will find complementary resources for your home garden:

Local variety seed catalog.
Detailed sheets of each product with its sowing calendar in our seed shop.
Face-to-face training in agriculture.

Conclusion

Planting a garden at home is an adventure that combines learning, connection with nature and personal satisfaction.

It doesn't matter if you have a large space or just a mini garden at home, there are always possibilities to grow at least some of your own vegetables and plants.

Remember that the key is to start slowly, observe, learn from each experience and, above all, enjoy the process. Mistakes are part of learning, and each season your knowledge and results will improve.

We especially encourage you to incorporate local varieties into your home garden, thus contributing to preserving our agricultural heritage while you enjoy savoring the fruits of your land.

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Frequently asked questions about how to make a vegetable garden at home

What can I grow in an urban garden if I only have a balcony?

You can grow aromatic plants (basil, parsley, thyme), lettuce, spinach, radishes and low-bush tomato varieties. With pots and planters, even a small balcony can become a very productive vegetable garden.

When is the best time to start a garden at home?

It depends on the season and the crop. Spring is ideal to start, but you can also sow in the fall and even plan your garden in the winter. Check out our planting calendar to see what to plant in each season.

What are the easiest local varieties to start with?

For beginners, we recommend: three-eyed lettuce, tomato, purple carrot, Mallorcan radish and alfalfa. These are varieties adapted to our climate and easy to grow in small spaces.

What substrate do I need for my home garden?

A mixture of 70% universal organic substrate and 30% compost or worm castings is a good base. You can also add perlite or coconut fiber to improve drainage.

How can I water the plants if we are not home much?

You can use drip irrigation systems with a programmer or self-watering pots. They are efficient and perfect solutions for regular watering without having to always be on the lookout.

Where can I buy seeds of local varieties?

In ours online store, you will find a wide selection of seeds of traditional varieties from Mallorca, with a sowing calendar and detailed sheets.

Should I change crops every season?

Yes, practicing crop rotation helps prevent pests, improves the substrate and maintains the health of your garden. In addition, each variety has its optimal time to grow.