Craft An Idyllic Urban Veggie Garden on Your Rooftop or Backyard

City life is great; there’s lots of action, culture, things to do, and new people. One of the downsides can be that you likely don’t have quick access to land for a veggie garden in the same way you might in a more rural area. Not to worry, though! We have you covered with tips on how to create a simple, small, urban garden. 

Gardening is not only a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and give back to the environment. It’s also very meditative and something many people find great for improving mental health and destressing. Putting your hands in the earth (even if it’s earth you brought up in a bag) is healing, connective and a great way to let your mind relax while giving your hands something to do. So, throw on those gardening gloves and watch your thumb turn green along with your plants!

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Where To Plant Your Garden

There are some key considerations to think about before deciding where to put your garden that will impact how successful your plants are. In an urban environment, your options are likely a patio, rooftop, or a small backyard. Each has similar considerations:

• Wind - This should be an easy one for you to identify - if your spot feels windy to you, it likely will to your plants, too. Luckily, they live a bit closer to the ground than you do and may benefit from being shielded by the wind from a fence or ledge. 

• Sun - Most veggies need a hearty amount of direct sunlight to grow. While some thrive in partial shade or indirect sunlight, you’ll likely want to place your garden in a location that gets lots of sun.

• Water - If you can place your garden in a place that gets rain, all the better for you because you’ll have to hand water less. Keep in mind that if your plants get rain, they might be vulnerable to the wind, as well. 

• Drainage - Your garden will need lots of water, but too much water causes roots to rot and will kill your plants. This means that wherever your garden goes in, you’ll need to make sure it can drain properly. If you’re planning on putting it on a patio or rooftop, you’ll be able to use the built-in drainage. If you have some backyard space and are planning to dig in a veggie patch, make sure that you put a layer of sand or gravel at the very bottom to make sure that your garden can drain adequately.

• Soil - Good soil is key! The best idea is to go to your local garden center and tell them what type of plants you want to grow and what your setup will be. The experts there will be able to point you towards the right soil. 

What To Grow

There is a huge variety of types of vegetables that you can grow in an urban garden, regardless of where you live. Make sure you think about what you like before you get too excited about growing a crop of something you don’t like or won’t use. This sounds like a no-brainer, but there are a lot of really common garden veggies that you’ll see on seed racks and in garden stores that might not be a regular part of your diet. Lettuce is a great example - it’s easy to grow a lot of, but if you’re not a daily salad person, you’ll find yourself with an overabundance of lettuce and become that person who’s always trying to foist lettuce on unsuspecting friends. 

So, choose wisely from this list of easy-to-grow garden vegetables!

• Peas

• Beets

• Carrots

• Lettuce

• Kale

• Swiss Chard

• Cucumbers

• Green beans

• Potatoes

Tip: Some veggies that seem common in grocery stores are trickier than you might think to grow at home. Tomatoes, for example, need tons of sunlight, heat, and water to grow. If you’re planning to be away at all during the growing season, you’ll need to have someone tending them daily. Garlic is another example of something that might seem simple but needs quite specific tending and growing conditions to get a healthy crop.

What You’ll Need

You can get started with a few essentials and add on more as you go or in future seasons. Keep in mind that you don’t have to start with a big setup; you can grow a pot of carrots and go from there! There are tons of online resources for first-time vegetable gardeners; take advantage of those but don’t get overwhelmed. At its core, gardening is beautifully simple. Also, if you are renting a property, it is better to go for potted plants in case you need to move your garden at some point, especially if it’s a long distance move.

• Seeds - most vegetables are best when started from seed as opposed to transplanting.

• Rich soil - good soil can be a make or break factor for the success of your plants. Make sure you get the right blend.

• Pots, raised beds, or tools for digging a veggie patch

• Gloves - Gardening gloves are different from typical work gloves because they fit tighter and have a tacky, rubberized finish that allows you to grip and feel your plants better.

• Pruning shears

• Trowel

When To Start

When to start your seeds and plant depends heavily on where you live. Generally, you’ll do most of your gardening activity during the summer months, but when you can start and how long your growing season is dictated by what growing zone you’re in. The easiest way to find out when to start is to consult an online almanac or head to your local garden store and ask the local experts.

Now you know the steps and what you need to start an urban garden. Soon you’ll be enjoying veggies that you grew yourself and enjoying your new hobby. Beware though, gardening is addictive!

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