How to Create an Urban Garden: A Beginner’s Guide

Why Urban Gardening?

Studies show that spending time with plants can reduce stress, boost mood and improve air quality. A bonus is that it’s a step toward sustainability, a good way to reduce your grocery bills and a doable action for shelter-in-place prepping.

1. Decide Your Urban Gardening Goals

Before diving into soil and seeds, think about what you want out of your garden.

• Kitchen Herbs: Basil, mint, rosemary and parsley are good cooking basics, easy to grow and have medicinal qualities

• Perennial Blooms: There are numerous shrubs and bushes that can be used for health, immunity and treatment such as echinacea, sage and arnica

• Edible Vegetables: Tomatoes, peppers, and chard are excellent options for beginners.

• Trees: If you have the space, a citrus tree and fruit trees are invaluable. if you are apartment or no-yard living, consider a dwarf tree or two in planters

Pro tip: Start small. Pick three plants that fit your space and time availability

2. Assess Your Space and Light

Urban spaces can have limited square footage, fluctuating sunlight and may lack privacy.

• Monitor sunlight: Spend a week noting how much direct sunlight your space gets daily. Most plants need 4-6 hours

• Creative spaces: Think vertically. Use walls, railings and stackable planters to maximize your planting area

• Privacy solutions: Consider installing screens or better yet...collaborate with neighbors for shared garden zones/crops or approach your city about an organizing a community garden

3. Choose Your Containers Wisely

• Material matters: Clay pots look great but dry out quickly. Plastic or ceramic pots retain moisture better

• Drainage is key: Ensure every pot has drainage holes to prevent overwatering

• Innovative options: Repurpose items like old buckets or crates to keep costs down

4. Pick the Right Soil and Plants

Soil choice can make or break your garden. Or take your garden from so-so to amazing!

• Potting mix over garden soil: Potting mix is designed for container gardening and promotes better drainage

• Beginner-friendly plants: Plant easy-to-grow cherry tomatoes, lettuce and herbs to build confidence and work up to "advanced" vegetables 

• Urban-friendly tips: If you’re in a windy high-rise, choose sturdier plants like rosemary. If you're in a very hot or very cold area, you may need to consider shade options or bringing plants indoors

5. Water Like a Pro

Overwatering is a more frequent mistake than under watering. These tips will help you to get it right:

• Morning routine: Water in the morning to reduce evaporation and avoid fungal growth

• Consistency counts: Containers dry out faster, so keep a schedule

• DIY tricks: Self-watering pots or adding mulch can help retain moisture

6. Fertilize for Flourish

Urban soil tends to lack nutrients, so feeding your plants is essential.

• Go organic: Compost, worm castings or fish emulsion are beginner-friendly fertilizers. Inexpensive and you can stock up easily

• Avoid overdoing it: Too much fertilizer can harm your plants. Follow the instructions on the package or read up on recommendations made by local gardeners

It may take a bit of practice but with time and effort, you'll be able to navigate the issues that gardening throws at you.

• Pests: Neem oil, ladybugs or DIY soap sprays can combat unwanted critters

• Pollution: Dust can settle on leaves, so rinse plants occasionally

• Weather woes: Use frost covers or heat shields for unpredictable conditions

• Information: Having a hard copy of a book like Sunset Magazine is invaluable especially during a power/internet outage

8. Create a Gardening Community

Gardening doesn’t have to be a solo endeavor. There are online and in-person options that suit you.

• Local connections: Join community gardens or local gardening clubs. The city usually has listings. Or gather a group of friends and neighbors and start a community garden

• Online forums: Explore neighborhood apps or forums where urban gardeners share tips and ideas. You can learn a lot!

• Shared harvests: Find your sure-thing plants and swap your crop with neighbors for something they grow that you don't

Urban Gardening Myths

• "I don’t have enough space": Even a windowsill can support a mini herb garden

• "Gardening takes too much time": A few minutes daily can keep your plants happy

• "Plants attract bugs into your home": Only if improperly maintained. Healthy plants don’t invite pests.

Get Growing

Urban gardening is an easy, inexpensive and rewarding way to start shadow prepping. It can be a solo venture or involve the whole family. Entertain the kiddos and get to know your neighbors. It's time to pick a pot (or space!) and let your urban garden journey begin today!

What’s your biggest challenge in starting an urban garden? Let me know in the comments below!