Concrete Gardening

Urban Gardening Tips and Tricks

Like the great artist Alicia Keys once said, “concrete jungle where dreams are made of”...

Road map:

  1. Perks of Urban Gardening
  2. Where to Start
  3. BE City-Specific Solutions

Here’s an introduction to gardening in saturated cities. If you live in a skyrise apartment but have a small balcony or patio, you can create your own little Eden. 

   1. Perks of Urban Gardening

Many studies say that when a city has more natural elements, people generally do better. There is also a lot of science behind gardens' positive impact on mental health. 

If you haven’t read our blog on The Mental Health Benefits of Gardening, it will blow your mind! Here it is!

Urban gardening is a perfect opportunity to connect with nature in your own space! Whether it’s joining a community garden project, fostering some plants right on your balcony, or growing some indoor plants, the benefits are bountiful. Not to mention beautiful and life-giving! It will give you further access to fresh produce and green space, promoting sustainability and offering easily accessible methods for whatever works best in your space. There’s vertical gardening, container gardening (see blog on that here), and rooftop gardening (maybe ask your landlord about that first). 

   2. Where to Start

The first step is to measure the space where you want to build your garden. Figure out the dimensions of your balcony, rooftop, fire escape—whatever it is! This will help you understand the size and number of plants you can grow. 

Figure out a budget. How much are you willing to spend on this project, and how much time do you have to invest? Plants need some upkeep and care. Starting small may be a great way to ease into gardening. 

Start planning specific variations and containers or layouts before the growing season. Depending on your area, growing season could begin in late March or later. To check, simply search “last frost date [insert your city name]”. 

Work out watering and fertilizing schedules with your calendar. Living in a city typically means we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of all urban life has to offer. Working consistency into your gardening is key to proper plant growth. 

Mulching will help insulate plants when the weather starts getting colder while also feeding nutrients and offering protection to your plants. Your urban garden is also a great opportunity to start composting those coffee grounds! 

   3. Bloomin’ Easy City-Specific Solutions

Gardening is obtainable to anyone! We know it can be intimidating, but here are some hardy plants we have cultivated just for an occasion such as this: 

 

Glamour Time™ Carnation 

Turning heads with fragrant, continuously blooming, rich magenta flowers covering cookie-cutter compact form. Thriving in Zones 5-9. 

Pinky Promise™ 

Cute and hardy. Mint green foliage loaded with pink berries in late summer and fall. Great as a compact hedge in your urban garden. 

Private Jet™ 

Want some space from your close neighbors? Elevate your space with year-round privacy: fast-growing, High-Octane, hardy Evergreen. 

 


Toy Soldier™ Hardy Hydrangea

Raising the bar for oak leafs with a behaved compact habit and clean color-changing foliage. This variety of hydrangea is made for adverse conditions while offering beautiful flowers from summer to autumn with fall-colored oak leaves.