Just because you live in an apartment or in a townhouse with very limited yard space doesn’t mean you can’t grow a successful garden. Urban gardening is becoming quite popular with city dwellers, and they aren’t just growing houseplants. Even in extremely small spaces and with limited sunlight, you can create a garden rich with vegetables, herbs, and even fruit. With a little innovation, the right supplies, and some determination, you can turn your window sill or balcony into a garden you can be proud of.
Examine your urban gardening space
Before starting your garden, there are several things to consider. First, how much sunlight do you get inside? Next, how much room do you have to devote to your garden space? Do you have space to spare for larger containers, or is it necessary to use small ones? Discovering the answers to these questions will help you determine the plants that will grow best in your environment. When you have very little space to work with, choosing what to grow your plants in is critical. You can plant herbs in hanging baskets on a balcony or inside near a window. Mason jars lined up on a window sill make excellent containers for single plants. If you have access to a small deck, shipping pallets make for the perfect vertical growing space. Over-the-door shoe organizers with rows of pockets are a wonderful solution to little space. No matter what your limits are, there are many plants you can enjoy growing inside. The following are some suggestions for easy-to-grow herbs, veggies, and fruits for urban gardeners.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes actually grow very well indoors, and are a popular choice for urban gardens. They grow best in a 5-gallon container in front of a south-facing window that receives approximately 12 hours of sunshine per day. Remember to spike them, and you should water your tomato plants about 2 to 3 times a week.
Mint
Extremely easy to grow, mint is perfect for growing indoors. Simply plant in a container no smaller than 8 to 12 inches, and water once a day. You should keep it near a window that gets lots of morning sun, and just watch it flourish.
Strawberries
Surprised? Urban gardeners can most definitely grow this delicious fruit indoors! As long as you have an area that gets at least 6 hours of sun a day and water daily, you can harvest these berries from late spring through early autumn. Sixteen inch wide hanging baskets are ideal containers but do need a sand/soil mixture.
Scallions
No need for soil — these little onions are so easy to care for all you have to do is bundle several cut-off onions with a rubber band and lay in an inch of water. Just set in front of a sunny window and change the water everyday.
Other great plants for urban gardens include salad greens, garlic, basil, radishes, cilantro and rosemary. To stay organized, mark your plants with clothespins, craft sticks or small rocks with the name of your plant.
