Urban Gardening

Urban Gardening Tips for Food and Flowers:

Urban gardening refers to the practice of cultivating and harvesting plants within cities and towns. It involves utilizing whatever space is available, including roof tops and balconies to grow various types of plants, ranging from vegetables and herbs to flowers.

Urban gardening encourages creative use of limited space, whether it's converting a small balcony into a thriving herb and vegetable garden or transforming a small yard into garden oasis with fresh food and flowers.

Urban gardening has numerous benefits:

1. access to Fresh Produce
2. herbs
3. fruits
4. teaching garden for small children
5. reducing reliance on store-bought food.

Here are some Vegetable, Fruits, Herbs and Flowers options to consider for Urban Gardening:

1. Herbs:

Herbs are perfect for urban gardens because they can be grown in small containers or even on windowsills. Popular choices include basil, parsley, cilantro, mint, thyme, and rosemary. Herbs also attract beneficial insects to your garden.

2. Leafy Greens:

Leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, kale and Swiss chard are well-suited to urban gardening because they can be grown in compact spaces and harvested continuously. I plant Swiss Chard just for the colour. :)

3. Tomatoes:

Many varieties of tomatoes are suitable for for urban spaces. Bush cherry tomatoes, patio tomatoes and determinate varieties are particularly well-suited to smaller gardens. If you can only find undetermined tomatoes, you can still use them, except you might have to trim them back to keep them small and bushy.

4. Peppers:

Bell peppers, chili peppers and sweet peppers can thrive in containers, providing a colorful and flavorful addition to your urban garden. Peppers enjoy warm and sunny conditions.

5. Microgreens:

I like growing these during the winter months. They are incredibly nutrient-dense and can be grown indoors with minimal space and equipment. Popular microgreens include lettuce, arugula, kale, radish, broccoli and sunflower shoots. Sometimes I use my extra veggetable seeds and sowed them for micro-greens.

6. Strawberries:

Strawberries are well-suited to urban gardens because are relatively low-maintenance and they can be grown in hanging baskets, vertical planters or small containers. They make a perfect fruit for those with limited gardening space.

7. Radishes:

Radishes are fast-growing root vegetables that can be planted in containers or small raised beds.

8. Beans:

Bush beans are compact, bushy plants that produce an abundance of tasty pods in a relatively small space . Poles beans can be grown vertically making them well-suited to urban gardens with limited space.

9. Cucumbers:

Compact bush varieties of cucumbers are ideal for urban gardens, as they can be grown vertically on trellises. Cucumbers require ample sunlight.

10. Carrots:

Carrots can be grown in containers or raised beds with loose, well-drained soil. Harvested baby carrots add sweetness and crunch to salads and snacks.

11.Green Onions:

Green onions or spring onions, are easy-to-grow vegetables that thrive in containers or small patches of soil. They can be harvested continuously by cutting the green tops as needed.

12. Beets:

Beets grow well in containers or small garden plots. Both the roots and greens of beets are edible, providing a double harvest from a single plant.

Fruit trees:

Dwarf fruit trees:

1. I have 2 apples trees, cherry, peach and pear espaliered on my fence. The trees create a bit of privacy from the neighbours as well.

Bushes and Vines:

1. I have blueberries and grapes.

Best flowers for urban gardens:

Here are some flower choices that thrive in urban environments:

1. Marigolds:

Marigolds are popular choices for urban gardens due to their vibrant colors, easy care requirements, and ability to repel pests. They come in shades of orange, yellow, and red, adding cheerful blooms to containers, borders, or window boxes.

2. Nasturtiums:

Nasturtiums are versatile flowers that thrive in urban gardens, producing edible flowers and peppery leaves that can be used in salads and garnishes. They have a trailing habit, making them perfect for hanging baskets or cascading over edges of containers.

3. Pansies:

Pansies are cool-season flowers that bloom profusely in spring and fall, providing a splash of color to urban gardens when many other plants are dormant.

4. Dwarf Sunflowers:

Dwarf sunflowers are compact varieties of sunflowers that are well-suited to urban gardens with limited space. They produce cheerful blooms and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Dwarf sunflowers can be grown in containers on balconies, patios, or rooftops.

5. Petunias:

Petunias are popular annual flowers known for their long-lasting blooms and wide range of colors. They are heat-tolerant and drought-resistant, making them ideal for urban gardens exposed to intense sunlight and dry conditions. Petunias thrive in containers, hanging baskets, or window boxes.

6. Lavender:

Lavender is prized for its fragrant blooms, drought tolerance and ability to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. It thrives in sunny, well-drained locations and can be grown in containers, raised beds, or along garden borders.

7. Zinnias:

Zinnias are easy-to-grow annual flowers that bloom in a wide range of colors, shapes, and sizes. They are heat-loving plants that thrive in urban environments with full sun and well-drained soil.

8. Geraniums:

Geraniums are classic flowering plants known for their colorful blooms and aromatic foliage. They are drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, making them suitable for urban gardens with limited watering capabilities. Geraniums are commonly grown in containers, hanging baskets, or window boxes.

9. Cosmos:

Cosmos are tall, airy flowers with delicate foliage and daisy-like blooms that attract butterflies and other pollinators. They are easy to grow from seed and thrive in urban gardens with full sun and well-drained soil. Cosmos add height and movement to flower beds, borders, or wildflower meadows.

10. Salvia:

Salvia, also known as sage, is a versatile perennial flower with spikes of colorful blooms that attract hummingbirds and bees. It thrives in urban gardens with hot, dry conditions and well-drained soil. Salvia adds vertical interest.

Urban gardening irrigation:

Urban gardening irrigation is the process of supplying water to plants grown in urban environments, such as rooftops, balconies, or small garden plots. Effective irrigation is essential for ensuring that plants receive an adequate and consistent supply of water, especially in urban areas where space and resources may be limited.

Here are some common methods of irrigation used in urban gardening:

1. Hand Watering:

This is my favourite.
Time consuming, but it gives me a chance to check my plants health. This method allows for precise control over the amount and distribution of water, making it suitable for small-scale urban gardens or container plants.

2. Drip Irrigation:

Drip irrigation is a water-efficient method that delivers water directly to the root zone of plants through a network of tubing and emitters. This system can be customized to suit the specific needs of different plants and can be installed in containers, raised beds or garden plots. To me, even though this works, it's hard to camouflage the tubing and in raised beds, it just gets in my way.

3. Soaker Hoses:

Soaker hoses are porous hoses that release water along their entire length of the bed, providing gentle and consistent watering to plants. They can be laid on the surface of the soil or buried slightly below the surface to deliver water directly to the root zone. I have my soaker hoses on water timers.

5. Self-watering Containers:

Self-watering containers have built-in reservoirs that provide a constant supply of water to plants through capillary action or wicking mechanisms. These containers are ideal for urban gardening as they minimize the need for frequent watering and help prevent overwatering or underwatering.
On my large pots I taped the drainage hole. Drilled drainage holes 8" from the bottom of the pot. Then I filled the bottom of the pot with plastic recycling and inserted a PV pipe to the bottom of the pot where the recycling is and use the pipe to keep the bottom of the pot watered.

6. Rainwater Harvesting:

Rainwater harvesting involves collecting and storing rainwater for later use in irrigation. This sustainable practice helps conserve water resources and reduce reliance on municipal water supplies. You can buy nice rain barrows or just use a large garbage can to collect rain water.

7. Mulching:

Mulching is a practice that involves covering the soil surface around plants with a layer of organic or inorganic material, such as wood chips, straw, or plastic sheeting.

13. Companion Planting:

3 Companion planting involves growing different plant species together in close proximity to benefit from their mutually beneficial relationships. Some "companion plants," can help conserve water by shading the soil, reducing evaporation and improving soil moisture retention.
Hydrogel crystals, also known as water-absorbing polymers, are water-absorbent materials that can help improve soil moisture retention and reduce the need for frequent irrigation. This can help maintain soil moisture levels in urban gardens, particularly during hot, dry periods when water availability may be limited. These are specially helpful in container gardens and hanging baskets.

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