There’s nothing like a lovely summer’s day on a narrowboat: doors flung wide open, the sound of nature filtering in, and the feeling that life is in full bloom. So what better way to ice the cake — or top the bolognaise — then stepping outside to gather your own home-grown salad?
narrowboat garden – katherine carlyon | unsplash
It can be easy to think that there’s no way you can have a garden on a narrowboat and for many, this can be a source of frustration and compromise. But the truth is, it’s entirely possible to grow at least a few items by cleverly utilising space. Think potatoes in buckets on the back deck, salad leaves and radishes in roof-mounted planters, even raspberry canes or cherry tomatoes planted into pots on the bow.
growing potatoes – javier albuja | unsplash
When I first moved onto a narrowboat 15 years ago I enlisted my husband to whip up some planters for the roof that I painted pink for a hint of colour! Filling them with a mix of soil, compost and gravel, I was able to create a healthy environment where our summer salad leaves flourished. Not to mention, I also flourished on sunny evenings sat on the roof surrounded by the bounty.
If you’re looking for tips on how to accompany your homegrown food with a tipple, check out this post:
A Guide to Drinking on your Narrowboat Adventure
Get all the family involved
The great thing about gardening on your boat is that everyone can get involved, even little kids. Let them have their own planter or a few flowers in a tray to tend, give them a tiny watering can and you’re away. Allowing children time to nurture their own plants develops patience, not to mention fills them with a sense of awe when they get to see the magic of the earth in action.
Make your own natural, organic, liquid plant feed
nettles – paul morley | unsplash
When my daughter was small we’d head off into the fields together — armed with gloves — to collect nettles. We’d put them in a bucket with water and my daughter loved the job of stirring every few days until, at around 3-4 weeks, this nitrogen, calcium and magnesium-rich ‘tea’ was ready to add to the garden. Mix one part tea to ten parts water and your greens will be thriving in no time at all…just remember to use a sealed container because this stuff pongs!
Want to know more about why gardening can be good for kids?
RHS website: Wellbeing benefits of gardening for children
If you’re inspired to get started then have a think about what you like to eat and see how you can incorporate these ingredients into your mini garden. Home grown rocket for your pesto will certainly jazz up your pasta, or why not truly savour a small harvest of potatoes by throwing them into a MediterraneanPotato Salad, not to mention nurturing a One Pot Herb Garden will ensure you’ll have all the trimmings like fresh mint, rosemary, and basil.
organic strawberry & potato salad dish – rocky scotty | unsplash
So what’s stopping you? There’s no time like the present to start your garden and who knows, by next year you might find yourself buying a butty boat for a garden extension!
pot plants | alice elgie
Alice Elgie is a wandering writer who splits time between a narrowboat on the waterways of England, a cottage in France, and a camper on the open road: slowintotheseasons.substack.com
Credits: Potatoes javier albuja on Unsplash, Narrowboat garden Katherine Carlyon on Unsplash, Nettles Paul Morley on Unsplash, Potato strawberry salad Rocky Scotty on Unsplash
