Urban Edible Gardening 101: How to Grow Food in Small Spaces (Balcony, Patio, Apartment)

Your Backyard Farmer
Sep 22, 2024,

"Did you know that 55% of the world’s population now lives in urban areas, making urban edible gardening more pertinent than ever? If you’ve got a small balcony, patio, or windowsill, you can join this growing movement and start producing fresh, chemical-free food. With techniques like container and vertical gardening, you can maximize every square inch of your limited space. Imagine harvesting your herbs, leafy greens, and cherry tomatoes from your apartment. Therefore, how do you begin transforming your urban space into a thriving garden? Let’s investigate the fundamentals.

Our Quick Highlights

- Use container gardening and vertical gardening to maximize space on balconies and patios.
- Select compact, fast-growing plants suitable for small spaces, like herbs, leafy greens, and cherry tomatoes.
- Ensure 6-8 hours of sunlight exposure and proper drainage for optimal plant health.
- Incorporate organic gardening practices and companion planting to enhance productivity and sustainability.
- Utilize self-watering systems and moisture monitoring to maintain consistent soil moisture."

Learn more:
https://yourbackyardfarmer.com/urban-edible-gardening/

#SolarPunkSunday #UrbanGardening #GrowYourOwn #GYO #GrowYouOwnFood #GardeningInSmallSpaces #ContainerGardening #Gardening

#PleasantvilleNY - #SeedLibrary

#MtPleasantPublicLibrary

"#GrowYourOwn garden with the help of our Seed Library—a collection of quality, regional flower and vegetable seeds that you can 'check out' for free at the Main Library.

What is a Seed Library?

A Seed Library is a collection of flower and vegetable seeds that you can 'check out' for free. Some Seed Libraries include seeds that have been saved by library patrons, or seeds donated from nurseries. We might have those sources one day at Mt. Pleasant Library, but for now we have seeds purchased from quality regional seed producers in #Maine and #AccordNY.

The purpose of a Seed Library is to encourage #SustainableGardening and #biodiversity by providing free access to seeds. These initiatives empower community members to grow their own food; learn #SeedSaving skills; preserve local, rare, or #HeirloomPlant varieties; and reduce reliance on #CommercialSeedCompanies. This helps combat seed #monocultures that threaten the world's food supply.

How does our Seed Library work?

- Go to the Gardening Special Collection at the Main Library and browse our Seed Library binder which includes details about each type of seed we offer.
- Help yourself to up to 5 seed packets per visit.
- Fill out a short form listing which seeds you took and if there are any seeds you want to request so that we can keep our Seed Library well stocked.
- Go and plant a garden!

What kind of seeds do we have?

- Vegetables, such as Amish Paste Organic Tomato, Marketmore and 76 Organic Cucumber
- Herbs, such as Genovese Basil
- Flowers, such as Purple Stem Asters, which are a great source of nectar for #bumblebees and other #pollinators in the #HudsonValley, and #SpottedJoePyeWeed, which is a native, locally sourced perennial that supports #butterfly populations
Check out our Seed Library binder for the full list of seeds we offer!"

FMI:
https://www.mountpleasantlibrary.org/index.php/collections/seed-library

#SolarPunkSunday #SeedSharing #BuildingCommunity #LibrariesRule #GYO #GardeningForPollinators #SeedLibraries

Problems with the carrots last year?
🥕 Forked roots = stony or unrotted soil.
🥕 Split roots = uneven watering after a dry spell.
🥕 Woody heart = lack of water.
For a perfect harvest, ensure loose soil and water consistently! #GYO #GardeningTips

Grow guide here:https://vegplotter.com/grow-guides/carrot

SOLVED! I just ordered this for just under £110 inc delivery: https://getcomposting.com/products/cloudburst-200-litre-water-butt-double-kit?variant=43275621073127

Thanks to @amberfirefly for pointing me to the site, I don't think this particular option was council subsidised, but it was the best price for a reputable product I've seen in a half hour of looking so DONE.

UK #gardening #allotment #gyo folks - I am looking for a decent sized waterbutt with a wide and easy to remove lid, good for dipping watering cans into.

Where should I buy this from?

I want one a bit like the one shown here (which is so badly cracked I am just not going to bother trying to repair it). The brand on this is "Blackwall", which I haven't been able to find online so far.

Spent some time at the #CommunityGarden today. Planted some #BlackBeans and #Potatoes, and pulled up some weeds (the flowers should be popping up after all that rain). Had a cool conversation with my neighbor who is a selectboard member and who helped get the garden going again, and told him what a great job he is doing. I mean, #composters, #rainbarrels, making the #CommunityCenter an #EmergencyShelter, supporting #DatacenterMoratoriums and #SmartGrowth. What more could one ask for in a town rep!

#SolarPunkSunday #BuildingCommunity #CommunityGardens #GrowYourOwnFood #GYO