Urban Gardening Ideas

Many people think that living in an urban environment can deprive them of the joys of gardening. There are ways to make urban gardening work. Urban gardens can brighten up small patios, window sills and balconies. Starting an urban garden can provide beauty to a city home.

Container Garden

Container gardens work well in urban areas because containers are not permanent. Before starting a container garden, ask the landlord if he minds containers on the balcony or terrace. Use terra cotta pots to assist in maximum moisture drainage. Plant one type of vegetable per pot to guarantee the plants have room to grow. Lettuce, radish and strawberries work well in shallow pots.

Hanging Garden

To give space to a small area, create a hanging garden. Tumbler tomato vines prefer to grow down instead of up and can produce a large yield of tomatoes. Other plants such as cucumbers and some squashes grow on a vine that can be trained to grow downward.

Community Garden

Many urban areas are hosting community gardens. The garden is located in the center of the community and residents take turns tending the plants, planting new seeds and harvesting the fruit. The fruits of the garden are shared amongst the entire community. There are many websites dedicated to tracking community gardens in different locales.

Roof Garden

The roof may be the only free space available to start an urban garden and it gets plenty of sun. Build large raised gardening boxes as planters. Install drip irrigation systems to ensure the plants get plenty of water. Also, create shade for the plants so they are not in direct sunlight.