By Umar Nsubuga
As urban spaces continue to expand, finding sufficient land for farming in cities has become increasingly difficult. However, innovative techniques like sack gardening are allowing urban farmers to maximise small spaces and grow fresh, organic vegetables.
Goretti Bagaya, a passionate vegetable grower has been practising sack gardening for years and attests to its many benefits.
Sack gardening is a simple but effective method of growing crops in containers such as sacks, which can be easily placed in any available space, from balconies to small backyards.
She says sack gardening can be a game-changer if you can grow a variety of vegetables right.
Bagaya explains that one of the main benefits of sack gardening is that it optimises the use of vertical space.
“In urban areas, where land is scarce and expensive, sack gardening gives you the flexibility to grow crops in a small space,” she says.
By filling sacks with a mix of soil, compost, and organic manure, she says one can grow vegetables such as spinach, kale, and tomatoes, all while conserving water and space. The sacks, stacked in rows, allow her to create a mini-garden that yields enough produce to supplement her catering business.
Water conservation is another key advantage of sack gardening.
Gideon Zakke, an agronomist explains that with proper drainage holes at the bottom of the sacks, water is absorbed efficiently by the roots, preventing wastage.
Bagaya uses a simple drip irrigation system, ensuring that her crops receive the right amount of water without over-irrigating.
“In sack gardening, every drop counts. You don’t have to water as much as you would in an open field, and that’s very helpful in the dry season,” she shares.
For urban farmers like Bagaya, sack gardening offers a way to grow food organically without relying on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Bagaya uses compost made from kitchen scraps and organic manure to enrich her soil, ensuring her vegetables are fresh and healthy.
She also practices integrated pest management by planting pest-repellent herbs like basil and marigold in some of the sacks, which helps keep harmful insects away from her crops.
The flexibility of sack gardening is another reason Bagaya encourages urban farmers to adopt this method.
“You can move your sacks around to catch the best sunlight, and if you are renting and need to move, you can easily carry your garden with you,” she explains.
This mobility is particularly useful for people living in congested areas or those with limited permanent space. Even with limited sunlight or uneven surfaces, sack gardening can be tailored to work for different conditions by adjusting the number and placement of sacks.
Zakke highlights the financial benefits of sack gardening as well. The start-up costs are low, as sacks are affordable, and many farmers can repurpose old sacks that are no longer in use. Moreover, sack gardening allows for a quick turnover of crops.
“Because the environment in the sacks is controlled, you can grow crops faster, which means you can plant and harvest several times in a year,” Zakke notes.
