Have ever thought about how to start a sustainable urban garden? Let's face it, we live in the concrete jungles with very little greenery and lush plants in the cities. But thanks to urban gardening, it's not possible to bring in nature to the modern life we have today. A lot of people don't really know where to start with the urban garden. That's why there is guidance to make the process less intimidating and easier.
Space Assessment
The first thing you need to consider about how to start a sustainable urban garden is the space. Do you have the space? It's true that urban setting often doesn't provide sufficient spot for such a garden, but it doesn't mean that your gardening project would be impossible.
When you want to assess the space, think about these things:
- Wind (and its patterns). It's crucial as you want to pick the ones that are strong enough against the winds. Choosing delicate plants will only lead to damage. You also need to consider the proper placement. That's why you should know about the wind patterns.
- The sun. You need to observe how much sunlight the space gets in a day. This also determines the type of plant that you can have within your urban garden.
- Soil quality. It won't be a problem if you have good and rich soil. But if it's poor, you may have to consider container gardening or even raised beds instead of the urban garden.
- Outdoor space direction. This is related to sun exposure that your garden can get.
Plants Type
If you think that all plants are the same, then you need to learn more about gardening. The right plant types are crucial because it will determine whether your urban garden will be a success or a failure. Thinking about sun exposure is crucial, but there are also other factors to think about.
- The climate. Do you know that each plant requires certain climatic conditions to ensure proper growth? If you live in cold climate, for instance, having plants that are more suitable for tropical conditions would be wrong.
- Maintenance costs. Each plant has their own maintenance needs. Some may grow well in very minimal care, but others may need tons of fertilizers to grow well or a lot of water. Others may require regular pruning or trimming.
- Plant type research. You should make a careful and thorough research concerning the plant type you want. Is it versatile? Is it tough? Does it need a lot of care and maintenance?
Compost and Mulch
If you want to learn how to start a sustainable urban garden, then you should consider compost and mulch. Natural and organic compost will provide the important nutrients and vitamins needed by the plants. But do you know that compost can also replace soil within the planters? The 'real' one would be dark with earthy smell. On the contrary to what people believe, compost doesn't smell foul or bad. If it has somewhat foul smell, it means that the compost hasn't been ready just yet.
You can always buy the compost from the local store. But if you want to make a sustainable practice that would help Mother Earth, you can always make one on your own. It's eco friendly and you can save up money along the way.
Watering Plan
Don't underestimate the watering regime. You need to have your own watering plan. You should do it to prevent overwatering or underwatering. It's even better if you can recycle the rain water so you don't waste water.
Final Words
The urban gardening arrangement isn't simple, but it's worth trying if you want to bring in natural beauty to your urban home. Find out more about the details of how to start a sustainable urban garden and see how your like it.
Photo by Jonathan Kemper on Unsplash