How To Start An Urban Garden?

30 Sep How To Start An Urban Garden?

In the hustle and bustle of city life, it’s easy to forget about nature. But what if you could grow your food? What if you could have a little slice of nature in the comfort of your home? If so, we’ve got some ideas for how to start an urban garden.

What Is An Urban Garden?

An urban garden isn’t just a tiny plot of land. It’s more than that. An urban garden is wherever you decide to grow your produce. Urban gardening is all about using space that might be otherwise overlooked – like on rooftops or porches. It also involves reusing items that would usually get tossed out – like old tires! These are just a few ways to start an urban garden without any special equipment or skills.

What Are The Benefits Of Having An Urban Garden?

There are lots of reasons why you might want an urban garden. Let’s discuss a few of them:

1. Great way to reduce your carbon footprint

Urban gardens make use of recycled items and reclaimed spaces. They also use less water and fertilizer than traditional farms.

 2. The benefits of growing your food

Whether you’re looking for fresh veggies to add to your grocery list or just want a fun project for the kids – urban gardening is an exciting adventure that makes excellent use of your time and space!

3. It saves you money

You’ll save money on your grocery bill by growing your produce. You can also sell some of the food you grow, which will give you an additional source of income. 

What Are The Steps To Starting An Urban Garden?

1) Do your research

There are many great books, websites, and YouTube videos that provide helpful advice for those interested in urban gardening. Do some research to find out what kind of crops grow well in your area, which conditions are optimal for plant growth, and how to prevent common plant problems.

2) Define your space

Take the time to measure how much space you have and how big you want your garden to be, whether it’s an alleyway, a complete rooftop, or a fire escape. A garden isn’t “too little,” but the space you have determines what kinds of plants you can cultivate and in what way. It’s also crucial to note what sort of elemental (sun, wind, or rain) exposure your yard receives daily because this will influence the plants you may successfully cultivate.

3) Prepare your space

Let’s say you want to grow some tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers on your porch? But what about the soil? If you have a rooftop garden, are there any drainage issues? Make sure you have the proper supplies on hand before you start planting. You can pay a visit to a local garden shop like the Kel Lake Garden Centre in Kelowna and talk to the experts there to gain some valuable insight and precious tidbits of information that can help you get on the right path.

4) Pick your plants

Let your imagination run wild with this portion of your urban garden; you may make it anything you want it to be. You have a wide range of alternatives open to you, but there are some rules to keep in mind. To begin, only plant the plants you have room for. Don’t overcrowd your plants, and don’t expect to grow too much. Start small and work your way up.

Second, choose and plant foods that you would actually want to eat. Vegetables and herbs are at the heart of most urban gardens. This is a great way to increase sustainability and your intake of fresh produce, so don’t waste it on something you’re just going to leave on the plant. Some city gardeners create gardens for easy stir-fries with components for their favorite foods, such as peppers, green beans, snap peas, and Thai basil. Although gardens are supposed to be beautiful, the purpose they serve is what matters most.

5) Pot your plants

When it comes to actually put your potted garden in place, you must follow a few procedures. To begin, make sure your pots have holes on the bottom to allow for drainage. This is crucial because it’s easy to overwater plants, and you’ll wind up with many dead ones if you don’t have a way for surplus water to escape.

Second, potting plants require particular soil. If the plants are not planted in the ground, you’ll need potting soil specially prepared to include the proper nutrients for them. Finally, you’ll need to purchase fertilizer, which should be organic if at all possible.

6) Water your plants

Proper watering is another essential part of urban gardening. Just because you’re growing food in pots, don’t leave this step out! The most common problem with balconies and window sills is exposure to excessive sunlight or wind. If it’s too hot or dry outside, these elements can easily take a toll on your plants without water.

Are You Ready To Start Your Urban Garden?

If you are passionate about urban gardening or have always wanted to try it, but the thought of all that hard work has kept you away from getting started, there is no better time than now. Let us help with your garden by providing everything you need for a successful start-up kit and ensuring that every plant in your arsenal will thrive in our region’s climate. Contact Kel Lake Garden Centre today to get set up right away.