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Growing an urban garden is a great way to save money on fresh vegetables, enjoy the benefits of locally sourced produce, and yet another productive way to spend quality time - whether by yourself or in the company of friends and loved ones. Starting and cultivating an urban garden requires careful planning and lots of hard work but that is where the fun in gardening is, isn't it? Here are the steps:
First, decide what kind of vegetables you would like to grow. For beginners like I am, tomatoes, peppers/chilies, and herb varieties like spring onions, mint, and chives are pretty straightforward. They thrive with minimum effort - not that I am encouraging you to do the minimum because tbh, everything in life requires us to pitch in a little effort if we expect to get the results we want. Again I am digressing. However, if you want to go all in on your urban garden, consider the amount of sun and space available and choose vegetables that will thrive in those conditions. You can choose plants based on whether you want to grow them in plant boxes, in vertical gardens, or in pots indoors or on your porch or balconies.
Second, prepare the soil. Test the soil to determine the pH level and add amendments if needed. Till the soil and remove any weeds. Some gardeners may advise a no-till approach but there are certain criteria to be met with this and that involves having organically-rich soil to plant in and non-beginner gardeners who know exactly what they're doing. As a beginner myself, I think it is better to play safe, start small, and learn gradually from each gardening experience. These experiences may include a frustratingly high incidence of seedling murder (speaking from experience).
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Third, choose and purchase the right type of seed or seedlings. Make sure you select varieties that are suitable for your local climate. You can achieve this not only through reading (or watching) online references but also by speaking with other urban gardeners in your area. They may turn out to be your go-to plant people down the line. You'll know who they are when you walk around the block on fine mornings or afternoons. And if you don't find any, go a bit further - it's good cardio. If you aren't so lucky and your neighbors suck, the attendant at your local plant shop where you will eventually get to buy your seedlings might be the man (or woman) for all the information you need, so you can be the friendly urban gardener your block needs. Or not. You do you.
Fourth, plant the seeds or seedlings. This goes without saying. Make sure to plant them at the correct depth and at the proper time of year. If you have doubts, you can refer to plenty of materials online. Or feel free to drop me a message if you think I can help. I'd be happy to provide references that I think would be helpful.
Fifth, water and fertilize the plants regularly or as needed. Check for pests and take action if needed. Apart from ensuring they have adequate sunlight and water - meaning not too much and not too little either - you do not necessarily have to fuss over your new plants all the time to the point that it becomes a source of stress and anxiety. Gardening is supposed to be a relaxing hobby so you just have to enjoy the process. Let nature take its course and intervene only when you see changes that are not supposed to happen, i.e. presence of bugs, drying / wilting leaves, growth of weeds and fungus, etc.
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Finally, harvest once they are ready. Enjoy the fruits of your labor! There is nothing quite like it.
With patience and care, you can start and cultivate an urban garden and enjoy the delicious benefits of fresh, local produce while enjoying your time in the process. Gardening can be a great form of meditation once you get the hang of it. For me, it's an effective way to stay connected with my inner self, free from invasive thoughts, to be grounded in the present, and to just experience the moment quietly and mindfully. Try it.
Cheers!
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