Living in an urban environment doesn’t mean you have to give up gardening. It just takes a little bit of knowledge and planning to create a garden in what little space you have. If you can find a place for your plants, you can grow them.
Designate a Location
Urban dwellers are limited when it comes to growing plants. Depending on the location of your home or flat, you may wonder where to place your plants. If you have a window or loft area, this is a good location.
Even if you don’t have a lot of sunlight, it’s possible to find plants that will thrive. Rooftop access will give you even more options when it comes to planting. Be sure to also take wind into consideration so protection offered by fencing panels is good. Wind may dry out the foliage or damage the stem. Use fencing to create a windbreak.
If you have a trellis, make sure it’s properly secured so it won’t blow away from an unexpected gust of wind.
Pick the Right Containers
If you’re gardening in an urban area, you’ll need plenty of planting containers. Choose containers that are large and deep enough for your plants to grow and thrive. Make sure the pots have a hole on the bottom for drainage. The weight of the containers is also important.
Don’t buy something that is too heavy for you to move if the weather changes. You may also want to match your containers to the rest of your home decor. Self-watering pots are available if you are worried about over or under-watering your garden.
Consider the Soil
The soil in an urban environment is often not ideal for planting. It often contains too many rocks and not enough nutrients. Invest in a high-quality potting mix. Fertilising is also important.
A fish emulsifier will make sure your garden is properly fed during the growing season. Compost is also another organic fertilizer that is appropriate for your urban garden.
Watering Plan
All plants must receive an adequate amount of water. Not enough water may lead to dry leaves or blossom drop. However, too much water causes its own problems, including root rot and insect infestations.
As stated previously, self-watering containers are the best solution. Simply fill the attached reservoir, and the plants will absorb moisture as needed. If you’re relying on a watering can, make sure the soil stays moist, without getting soaked. You need to allow an area where your pots can easily drain if needed.
Choose Your Plants Wisely
While you may be tempted to grow everything, you probably won’t have enough space. Steer clear of plants that tend to overtake gardens, such as pumpkins. They don’t fare well with other plants and may compete for space.
You need to make sure the plants you choose will grow harmoniously with the surrounding crops. Root vegetables, like carrots, are also not the best choice. They won’t have much room to grow in a potted environment, which may stunt their growth.
Herbs can grow pretty much anywhere, including in small containers. Tomatoes, peppers, and beans grow quickly and provide an impressive yield.
Despite freelancing to make a living, her love is "all things home."
Deborah grew up in a family that grew a large vegetable garden and a fruit orchard, helping her parents pull weeds and can home-grown foods as part of her childhood. In fact, she had no idea that she could purchase veggies and fruits in pre-packed steel cans until she went to college and made a food run.
Today, she lives in Bertie County, North Carolina, an agricultural rural area with more chickens than people. She lives with her husband and two rescue pets a sweet toy fox terrier and a cat who showed up one day and moved into the house. Together, they enjoy DIY projects, furniture refinishing, gardening, and canning.
This blog celebrates all things home.
