Urban gardens are garden found many times on the roofs or within small patches of back yard in city environment or urban area. For those that live in the city starting an urban garden may very well be the best way for them to obtain the fresh garden produce they are looking for.
Just because you live in a city is no reason to deny yourself the pleasures of home grown vegetables. You can start an urban garden no matter where in the city you live, even if you don't have a yard. This guide, how to start an urban garden will have you utilizing your green thumb.
You don't need an acre in the country for a garden. City dwellers use all types of solutions to exercise their green thumbs, including planting in [community gardens]], using vertical gardens, and creating a garden on a rooftop. The simplest type of urban garden, however, is a container garden, which can be planted indoors or outdoors.
Urban Depression Garden
This video illustrates one couple's attempts to feed themselves primarily from their urban garden for one year. The have 500 square feet of growing space, and use lattices to extend the garden vertically. The garden has tomatoes, squash, beans, peas, herbs, and other vegetables. Their goal is to can 500 quarts of vegetables, as well as freezing "a bunch" of their produce.
Step 1: Select a Location
Most vegetables require 6 hours a full sun a day. If you don't have a location that meets these requirements, you can supplement with grow lights, place the containers on wheels, so you can move them during the day, or choose vegetables that will do well in the conditions you have.
Step 2: Select Your Vegetables
- When selecting vegetables for your urban garden, consider the amount of light and space you have, as well as what your family likes to eat.
- It makes no sense to plant zucchini, if no one in your household will eat it.
- Vegetables like chard and kale can be cut back and used, and will continue to grow throughout the season, providing a continuous supply of vegetables for your table.
Step 3: Select and Fill Your Containers or Plot.
While many urban communities don't accommodate land to actually plant a garden some do. Many times this will come from empty lots or vacated property where a structure is or has been removed. It is best to check around with other members of the community to find what is offered and amount of space allowed per person.
When planting an urban garden in a vacant lot be sure to remove any debris found like broken glass, cans, tires or other things that might prevent your garden from thriving. Be sure to carefully mark each item planted and irrigate as directed per each plant.
The containers should be large enough to accommodate the roots of the grown plant comfortably. In most cases, this will require a container with a 12-18 inch diameter. Check the seed packet for the distance between rows, and use this to select a container. Fill it with good quality potting soil, that has been mixed with a water retaining substance.
Plant the seeds according to package directions. If you'd like to speed up the process, you can start with seedlings purchased from a nursery.
