Urban gardening is revolutionizing city living. No longer are concrete jungles drab and lifeless. Now, individuals are utilizing urban spaces and filling them with thriving green spaces. This includes community gardens in vacant lots. In many communities, an urban community garden is addressing food inequities and promoting healthy eating, especially for young adults. For example, according to Eater Atlanta, the city has adopted this philosophy of urban gardening and now has over 150 gardens established to combat food deserts, provide fresh produce to residents, and create more environmental sustainability. In addition, in many cities, residents are taught how to create their own gardens, which helps improve well-being and mental health.
Residents are utilizing rooftops and balconies in non-traditional ways to create beautiful outdoor spaces full of lush plant life. If you don’t have a yard, you don’t have to miss out on having a garden. Here are a few ways that you can transform your urban outdoor dwelling into a beautiful urban garden.
Utilize Every Inch of Space
In an urban garden, choosing the right containers can make all the difference. Try to utilize vertical space whenever possible. Trellises, wall planters, and hanging baskets are all helpful in creating your urban garden. Raised flower beds can also be great if you don’t have a lot of free ground space. You’ll want to make sure that you have proper drainage in your containers. Choosing the right soil is also essential. Potting soil is better for containers. Keep in mind, shallow-rooted plants require at least 6 inches of soil depth if they are under 1 foot tall. Deeper-rooted plants need at least 1 foot of soil depth.
Choose The Right Plants
Most plants need 6-8 hours of sunlight. If your space doesn’t get that, you should opt for leafy greens and herbs. And your urban garden doesn’t have to be just one thing, like tomatoes. Experts say that tomatoes are hard to cultivate and are easily bought. Why not try something more creative like shiso, anise, papalo, or fresh coriander seeds?
If your space is small, you can also choose dwarf or compact varieties of plants. You can even plant things like microgreens indoors. You’ll want to keep an eye on watering your plants adequately, as containers can dry out faster than other gardens.
Follow The Experts
If you need inspiration for your urban garden, turn to the experts. You can follow Instagram accounts like Urban Gardeners Republic for beautiful urban gardening ideas. Just remember, even the experts don’t have all the answers to creating a successful urban garden. Sometimes, trial and error are required to get the right mix of plants that will flourish in your space.
Why Urban Gardening Matters
City life has forever been changed by urban gardening. It’s not just a trend. Creating outdoor green spaces can help create more peace and calm in fast-paced city life. In addition, urban gardening is addressing food inequities and helping to improve the environment. Hopefully, these tips and tricks will help you create your own urban garden and improve your quality of life.
Do you have an urban garden? Do you have any tips or tricks? Share them with us in the comment section.
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Teri Monroe started her career in communications working for local government and nonprofits. Today, she is a freelance finance and lifestyle writer and small business owner. In her spare time, she loves golfing with her husband, taking her dog Milo on long walks, and playing pickleball with friends.
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