How to Start an Urban Garden
Environmental challenges abound and they can feel insurmountable. From climate change to biodiversity loss and even food security, you worry about today’s pressing challenges — but you feel driven to make a difference. The good news? Seemingly small activities can have an outsized impact. Urban gardening particularly promises to drive change.
Each small, lush sanctuary brings the magic of nature to the city’s heart while providing a steady supply of fresh fruits and vegetables. Plus, urban gardens are beautiful, meditative, and environmentally responsible. What’s not to love?
Urban gardening can be delightful, but many potential gardeners feel too intimidated to get started. Some assume that they lack the space, the tools, or the knowledge needed to start a successful garden. However, these challenges can be overcome, and the smallest spaces can give way to gorgeous gardens.
Not sure where to start? We’re here to help. In this guide, we will explain, what is urban gardening and what does it take to start an urban garden?
What Is Urban Gardening?
Urban gardening brings the intentional cultivation of plant life to the city setting. This term encompasses many approaches to growing plants, ranging from community and rooftop gardens to balconies and backyard plots. If you’ve ever grown or cared for plants in an urban environment, you’ve been involved in urban gardening.
The Benefits of an Urban Garden
Urban gardens are worth creating because they bring joy and life to cities. There is great intrinsic value to gardening, which is a delightful activity even if you never produce a single fruit or vegetable. As you think about the possibility of starting your own garden, consider these advantages:
- Health benefits. Urban gardens offer an affordable source of fresh produce, allowing gardeners to harvest organic fruits and vegetables that might be too expensive in conventional supermarkets. Gardening can also be an excellent physical activity which, although not typically intense, does get your body moving with all that weeding, pruning, and watering. Finally, gardening can enhance mental health, offering a much-needed source of stress relief. This deeply meditative pursuit can deliver respite, along with a space that comes to feel like a personal sanctuary.
- City beautification. While there are many ways to enhance the aesthetic appeal of urban environments, nothing adds beauty quite like plant life. Urban gardens can be downright stunning, providing a powerful contrast to the often-drab appearance of built environments. This can transform unused lots or unsightly corners into wonderfully lush spaces.
- Climate resilience. Urban gardening limits the need to dedicate extra land to resource-intense farms, and also limits transportation-based emissions. Beyond this, soil and vegetation capture carbon, even functioning as significant carbon sinks. Advocates argue that urban gardens can reduce the heat island effect, allowing heat to circulate instead of simply being absorbed by concrete or asphalt surfaces.
Starting an Urban Garden
Although urban gardening presents unique challenges compared to conventional gardening in suburban or rural areas, most issues can be resolved with a positive outlook and by taking time to understand your new setup. Beyond this, a little creativity can go a long way.
Remember, many plants can thrive in environments that may seem inhospitable at first glance. In reality, they just need a little nurturing. Follow these simple steps to get started:
Assess Your Space
First, determine where you will grow your garden. This depends on your current living space.
If you lack dedicated outside space, you might assume that a garden is out of reach. That’s not necessarily the case as you could grow a garden on your balcony, by your windowsill, or even on your kitchen counter. Potted plants can be surprisingly bountiful, and many plant lovers find great joy in container gardening.
Another option worth considering: community gardens. Often managed by schools, nonprofits, or community organizations, these delightful spaces are divided into individual plots, with members typically paying small fees to reserve these plots. Some apartment complexes even provide onsite access to garden plots.
As you evaluate potential spaces, be mindful of the various advantages and challenges associated with each setup. A container garden, while more accessible, may limit the usable space on your balcony. A community garden plot may call for an extra commute.
Other potential challenges relate to light levels, soil quality, or precipitation. Some areas are simply more conducive to growing plants. Decide if the benefits of a given space outweigh the potential downsides and do your research to find growing techniques well-suited to challenging spaces.
Choosing the Right Plants
Because your space and lighting may be limited, you will need to select plants strategically to ensure the best possible yield. Some hardy plants can thrive in almost any setting or situation, while others may call for a specific blend of circumstances that you might not be equipped to provide.
Of course, personal preferences also matter. You want to consistently feel motivated to visit your garden, and this is far more likely if it includes plants that you love, especially if those plants produce a bountiful crop of your favorite fruits and veggies. When in doubt, try these favorites:
- Cherry tomatoes
- Peppers
- Lettuce
- Peas
- Radishes
- Herbs
While many urban gardeners favor ‘practical’ plants that yield lots of fruits or vegetables, ornamental plants can also bring joy and beauty into your space. For maximum visual impact, select colorful flowers such as begonias or geraniums. Be mindful of native species and make an effort to choose plants from your region.
Tools and Supplies Needed
Once you’ve found the ideal gardening plot (or a substitute involving pots or planters), you’ll need a few extra supplies to get started. Again, a lot depends on the type of urban garden you want to grow, along with any restrictions related to your potentially limited space. In general, you can expect to seek out these essentials as you prepare your garden:
- Gardening tools. Don’t worry if you’re short on space as small tools can get the job done. A hand trowel is a must for digging and planting, along with a hand rake to break up compacted soil or manage weeds. If you don’t have access to a hose, consider investing in a small watering can. Some plants may require pruning shears for easy trimming. Don’t forget gardening gloves to protect your hands.
- Soil. Offering a healthy environment in which your plants can thrive, soil is a fundamental part of your urban garden. Choose carefully to set your garden up for success. This needs to strike a fine balance between draining and retaining water. Many urban gardeners favor peat moss for its aeration and supplement it with compost for additional nutrients. Lightweight perlite is an excellent option for boosting drainage.
- Seeds or seedlings. Another big decision: seeds versus seedlings. Seeds are more cost-effective but require a bit of work and patience. If you prefer a quicker and easier start, opt for seedlings. While your access to garden centers may seem limited, seedlings are often available at farmers markets or even sold directly by community gardens.
Conclusion: Becoming an Urban Gardener
Do you dream of starting a beautiful garden? You could have the makings of a wonderful urban gardener, and this simple hobby can make a world of difference in your life and in your community. Take this passion to the next step as you explore opportunities to promote food equity.
You could be a catalyst for positive change, and this journey could begin within the supportive environment of Unity Environmental University. Our Bachelor of Science in Food Equity and Health provides fascinating insights into the power of urban gardening, along with the knowledge and encouragement needed to take other measures that will improve both public health and environmental outcomes. Reach out today to learn more about this meaningful opportunity.
