Urban gardening for beginners
This guide on urban gardening for beginners will help you grow all the food you love and need outside your back door. With a bit of soil, sunlight, water, and a little effort, you can create a thriving garden right in your backyard… no matter where you live.
Start a backyard garden today with these tips, a few seeds, and warm sunshine, and before you know it, you’ll have a pantry of fresh canned food.
Growing Your Own Food: A Journey Worth Starting
Growing your own food is more than just a hobby—it’s a way to stock your kitchen with fresh, organic produce that lasts well beyond summer. For me, gardening was the first step into a fulfilling homesteading lifestyle. What began with a few tomato plants blossomed into a small, thriving farm filled with incredible food and animals.
There’s something special about a tomato you grew yourself. It looks brighter, tastes richer, and feels more rewarding in your hands. Even if you live in the city or a less-than-ideal space, this guide will help you discover creative ways to start your gardening journey.
Urban Gardening for Beginners
Urban gardening is a way to transform small spaces into a thriving garden of vegetables, herbs, and even fruits. Whether it’s an area of containers on your porch, a garden table on your balcony, or a raised bed in your backyard, growing your own food is more than a pastime. It fills a need for fresh organic food that you grew yourself.
The best part? You don’t need a vast plot of land to get started. With the right tools, a little creativity, and some patience, anyone can create a thriving garden anywhere.
Why Try Urban Gardening?
The best part of gardening is putting yourself back in the driver’s seat of the food you eat and how it is grown. Rather than investing a fortune in organic options, you can grow them, can them, and freeze them, giving you a supply that lasts longer than the summer.
What You’ll Need to Get Started
Before you dig in, here’s a quick rundown of what you need:
- Containers: If you’re short on ground space, you can grow in containers, raised beds, grow bags, or even repurposed items like buckets or wooden crates. Just be sure that whatever you use has drainage holes for extra water to drain out.
- Quality Soil: Healthy soil is the foundation of a good garden. Opt for nutrient-rich potting soil, especially for containers. I prefer to use a peat mix as it is very lightweight, making it a good option for container gardening.
- Sunlight: Most fruits and vegetables need about 6–8 hours of sunlight daily. Pick a sunny spot, like a balcony, porch, window ledge, or open backyard space.
- Water: Consistent watering is also important for a garden. Use a watering can, drip hose, or a spray wand.
- Plants or Seeds: Choose beginner-friendly options like tomatoes, herbs (basil, mint, and parsley), lettuce, or peppers.
- Fertilizer: Organic fertilizers can help enrich your soil for optimal plant growth.
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Steps to Start Your Garden
The best part of an urban garden is its similarity to traditional gardening. Other than where you are growing, the other steps are all the same.
#1. Evaluate Your Space
Take a walk around your home and look at your available area. Look at where the sun is most consistent and where you can set up containers or raised beds. Make sure it’s an area that you can easily access for watering, weeding, and harvesting.
#2. Choose Your Plants
Choose plants that are suitable for your space and the container you are growing in. If you’re new to gardening, start with easy-to-grow plants like herbs, salad plants, and leafy greens before moving on to more challenging ones.
#3. Prepare Your Soil
Good soil preparation will give your plants the best chance of survival. Whether you’re using a container or ground space, add potting soil mixed with organic matter, like compost or manure, to provide necessary nutrients for plant growth.
You can purchase bags of soil mix locally that are great for growing in containers. If you’re planting directly into the ground, add a layer of compost to your garden bed and mix well with the existing soil.
#4. Prepare Your Containers
The secret to growing a city garden is using the best containers for the plants you are growing. Be sure to choose containers with good drainage holes that are large enough to accommodate the root system of your plants. Fill them with potting soil mixed with organic matter.
- Tomatoes – One plant per five-gallon container or six plants in a 3×6 foot raised bed.
- Peppers – Two plants per five-gallon container or 12 plants in a 3×6 foot raised bed.
- Herbs – One herb plant per two-gallon container or several varieties in a large window box.
- Greens – Up to six plants per five-gallon container or a variety of greens in a larger raised bed or garden table.
- Root Vegetables – Carrots, radishes, and beets can be grown in containers or grow bags that are at least 12 inches deep.
- Vining Plants – One plant per five-gallon container. Use a trellis or support system for plants like cucumbers, squash, and beans.
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#5. Plant Your Seeds
Follow the instructions on your seed packets for proper depth and spacing when planting. Use markers so you remember what is planted and where. Water each seed lightly and keep it in a sunny, warm area.
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#6. Plant Your Seedlings
For transplants, gently remove them from their containers and loosen the root ball before planting them in your soil. Water each transplant well and keep it in a shaded area for the first few days to help it acclimate to its new environment.
Gradually move it into full sun over the course of a week.
#7. Water Regularly
Consistent watering is key to healthy plants, especially in hot climates. Water your plants daily, either early morning or late evening, to minimize evaporation. Not sure if it’s time to water? Try this simple test: stick your finger about 2 inches into the soil. If it feels dry, your plants are ready for a drink.
#8. Fertilize
Use organic fertilizers or compost to give your city garden a nutrient boost every few weeks. Avoid using chemical fertilizers as they can harm beneficial microorganisms in the soil and leach into nearby water sources.
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#9. Monitor for Pests
Keep an eye out for pests and diseases in your garden. Use natural pest control methods like ladybugs, praying mantises, or neem oil to combat unwanted insects. Remove any dead or diseased plants promptly to prevent the spread of illness.
#10. Harvest Your Produce
Once your plants start producing fruits and vegetables, be sure to harvest them regularly. This will not only keep your plants healthy and productive but also ensure that you are enjoying the fresh, delicious produce from your very own garden.
Creative Urban Gardening Ideas
No matter how much or how little space you have, as long as you have enough sun, there is a container you can use for growing.
#1. Hanging Basket
Hanging baskets are excellent for growing, allowing you to make the most of your space.
- Cherry Tomatoes:
- 1 plant per basket. Choose determinate or bush varieties for best results.
- Strawberries:
- 3-5 plants per basket. They cascade beautifully and are easy to harvest.
- Herbs:
- Basil, Thyme, Oregano: Plant 3-4 different herbs per basket, depending on their growth habits.
- Lettuce:
- 3-4 plants per basket. Opt for loose-leaf varieties that can be harvested continuously.
- Cucumbers:
- 1 plant per basket. Allow the vine and fruit to fall and grow naturally below.
#2. Tiered Growing Containers
Tiered containers are a great way to use vertical space and grow a variety of vegetables, especially in small areas.
Top Tier
- Herbs:
- Basil, Chives, Parsley: Plant 3-4 different herbs. They thrive in the top tier where they can get plenty of sunlight.
- Leafy Greens:
- Lettuce, Spinach: Fit 3-4 plants. These can be harvested continuously.
Middle Tier
- Radishes:
- 10-12 plants. They grow quickly and don’t require much space.
- Carrots:
- 6-8 plants. Choose shorter varieties that fit well in limited soil depth.
- Beets:
- 4-6 plants. They can be grown for both roots and greens.
Bottom Tier
- Strawberries:
- 4-6 plants. They cascade nicely and are easy to pick.
- Bush Beans:
- 3-4 plants. Compact and productive, perfect for the bottom tier.
- Peppers:
- 1-2 plants. Choose smaller varieties that don’t require staking.
These numbers are approximate and can vary based on the specific variety and growing conditions. Ensure each tier has adequate drainage and receives enough sunlight.
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#3. Window Boxes or Railing Containers
Window boxes and railing containers are perfect for growing a variety of compact vegetables and herbs.
- Leafy Greens:
- Lettuce, Spinach, Arugula: Plant 4-6 plants per box. These greens are ideal for continuous harvesting.
- Radishes:
- 10-12 plants per box. They grow quickly and don’t need much space.
- Carrots:
- 6-8 plants per box. Opt for shorter varieties that fit well in shallow soil.
- Herbs:
- Basil, Parsley, Cilantro, Chives: Plant 3-4 different herbs per box. They thrive in the sun and are easy to maintain.
- Strawberries:
- 3-5 plants per box. They cascade beautifully and are easy to harvest.
- Bush Beans:
- 3-4 plants per box. Compact and productive, perfect for limited space.
- Peppers:
- 1-2 plants per box. Choose smaller varieties that don’t require staking.
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#4. Garden Table
Gardening tables, also known as raised garden beds or planter tables, are fantastic for growing a variety of vegetables, especially in small spaces. Here’s a quick guide on what you can grow and how many plants typically fit in a standard gardening table (about 3×6 feet):
- Leafy Greens:
- Lettuce: Plant about 10-12 plants.
- Spinach: Fit around 8-10 plants.
- Kale: About 6-8 plants.
- Root Vegetables:
- Radishes: Plant 20-30, as they require less space.
- Carrots: Fit around 15-20 plants.
- Beets: About 10-12 plants.
- Herbs:
- Basil, Parsley, Cilantro: You can plant 8-10 of each, depending on your preference.
- Fruiting Vegetables:
- Tomatoes: 2-3 plants, as they need more space and support.
- Peppers: About 4-6 plants.
- Bush Beans: Fit around 8-10 plants.
- Others:
- Onions: Plant about 15-20, as they can be spaced closely.
- Garlic: Similar to onions, about 15-20 plants.
Growing enough food for your family is no longer limited to the size of your yard; now, you can grow everything you need using the space you have available.
Urban gardening for beginners will get you well on your way to becoming a small-space gardening pro before long. Get ready for fresh veggies and enough leftovers to preserve, filling your pantry with jars of sauce for the winter months.