From:eLivingToday
City dwellers often think gardening is only
for those who live in suburbs or rural communities, but planting an
urban garden can be easy. Whether you are planting a garden for yourself
or your family, you can do your part to create a more sustainable and
green future.
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These simple steps recommended by Arjan Stephens, executive vice
president at Nature’s Path Organic Foods, can help you on your way to
greening your thumb and the planet:
No Space, No Problem:
Not everyone has a backyard,
roof or balcony. To overcome this issue, start a container garden. While
decorative pots can be lovely, they don’t improve the quality of your
plants and can be expensive. Instead, you can use a large bucket from a
garden store, which is a low-cost and effective option. Or upcycle
containers not in use, such as crates, old toys or paint cans.
Plant Selection:
There are vegetable, flower and
herb varieties that are easy to grow in urban spaces. When planning your
garden, think about what to plant – shallow-rooted veggies, such as
herbs, lettuce and radishes typically do better in confined spaces.
It Takes a Village:
In addition to establishing
your own garden, another way to plant is by getting involved with
community gardens. Each year, Nature’s Path Food’s Gardens for Good
program supports community gardens that make fresh, organic food more
accessible in local neighborhoods. Three $15,000 grants are available to
gardens that demonstrate high community support and a viable plan for
the urban agriculture project.
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Plant Right:
Potting your plants takes a few simple
steps. Put some gravel in the bottom of your container to help with
drainage and fill with soil, tamping it a bit. Leave 1 inch at the top
for watering. Tamp the soil after the plants are in place and water
gently.
Portable Planters:
An advantage of container
gardens is that they allow you to easily move them in and out of the
sun. If your plants seem to dry out in one window area, you can try
different areas to adjust to what works best.
Grow Up:
Small spaces make it ideal to grow vertically, which means planting tall plants like squash, cucumbers, beans and tomatoes.
Drain Gain:
Whatever container you choose for your
garden, remember drainage holes are essential. Without proper drainage,
soil can become waterlogged and plants may die. The holes need to be
large enough to allow excess water to drain out.
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Water Wise:
Hand water every morning. Once the
plants are large and summer is hot, they will probably need watering in
the evening, too. A little afternoon shade can keep them from drying out
too quickly.
Soil Smart:
A common mistake urban gardeners make
is not making sure their soil is good quality. While those made with
pesticides promise great results, they are loaded with chemicals. Go for
organic soil and grow well from the beginning.
Have Fun:
Gardening not only results in food or
flowers, it is a great way to relieve stress, have fun and get in touch
with nature. Just because you live in an apartment doesn’t mean you
can’t experience the joy of eating what you grow.
Grab your container, select your seeds and see how beautiful,
nutritious and delicious your results could be. Find more details about
Gardens for Good and urban gardening at naturespath.com.
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