Welcome to the world of urban farming! You’re about to discover some of the best crops for your backyard farm. These are perennial plants that will keep producing throughout winter, and they’ll taste delicious when you harvest them.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Urban farming offers a variety of benefits, including increased access to fresh produce, reduced carbon footprint, and enhanced community engagement. |
| Technological innovations related to urban farming and vertical farming are helping to expand the practice and make it more efficient. |
| Incorporating urban farming into your Christmas festivities can be a fun and sustainable way to celebrate the season. |
| There are many resources available for those interested in learning more about urban farming, including guides, programs, and examples of successful projects. |
| Successful urban farming businesses require careful planning, networking, and strategic thinking in order to be profitable. |
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are a cruciferous vegetable, which means they are rich in cancer-fighting antioxidants. Brussels sprouts are one of the most popular holiday vegetables, and for good reason they’re easy to grow and can be harvested in fall or winter.
Brussels sprouts have a mild flavor that many people enjoy, but if you don’t like them raw (which is often the case), try roasting them at 400ºF for about 15 minutes. You may be surprised at how much better they taste
Looking to grow your own Christmas dinner? Get started with our guide on urban farming for the holidays, where we share tips and tricks on how to cultivate a bountiful harvest in a limited space.
Cabbage
Cabbage is a cool season crop that grows best in temperatures between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Cabbage is a good source of fiber, vitamin C and potassium.
Most varieties can be grown in as little as 4 square feet, with the exception of giant cabbages which can reach 12 to 15 pounds! You can grow cabbage in containers on your balcony or patio.
Top Brands for Cabbage Seeds
| Brand Name | Seed Type(s) | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Ferry-Morse | Red Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts | Non-GMO, organic options available |
| Burpee | Perfection Savoy Cabbage, Copenhagen Market Cabbage, Flat Dutch Cabbage | Wide range of cabbage varieties and mixes available |
| Johnny’s Selected Seeds | Napa Cabbage, Yu Choy Sum | Organic and heirloom varieties available |
| Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds | Red Express Cabbage, Golden Acre Cabbage, Savoy Cabbage | Non-GMO and heirloom seeds available, promotes preservation of rare seed varieties |
| Seed Savers Exchange | Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage, Stonehead Cabbage | Specializes in preserving and promoting heirloom seeds, non-profit organization |
The new table provides a comparison of the top brands for cabbage seeds, including information about the types of seeds each brand offers and any unique features or values that make them stand out.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a great choice for your urban farm. It is easy to grow and has a long growing season. Broccoli can be planted in the spring, summer and fall, but you’ll want to make sure you plant it as early in the season as possible so that it will mature before the first frost.
It’s also important to note that broccoli does best in cool weather, so plant it where there are plenty of shady spots available for its protection against strong heat.
Broccoli can be grown successfully indoors or outdoors; however, if you have limited space like most of us do these days (especially during the holidays), then try growing your broccolis in containers!
The key with container-grown plants is just making sure that they stay well watered throughout their growing season so they don’t dry out too quickly this means watering them every day or two at most depending on how much sunlight they’re getting each day (more sun equals more water).
Are you hoping to turn your urban garden into a holiday wonderland? Check out our article on the top 10 Christmas crops for urban farming for some festive and functional plant ideas.
Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi is a root vegetable that belongs to the cabbage family. It’s easy to grow, and it only takes about 4-6 weeks for it to mature.
Kohlrabi is low in calories and high in vitamin C, potassium and fiber—all of which can help fight off colds and flu during wintertime.
The green leaves on top of kohlrabi are edible as well—they taste like broccoli stems! You can also eat them raw or cook them with other veggies for an awesome stir fry or slaw.
Winter Squash
Winter squash are versatile and easy to grow, making them a great choice for your urban farm. They’re also a great fall or winter harvest crop, because they store well in the ground or in containers if you live in warmer climates.
Winter squash can be eaten raw or cooked, and are good sources of Vitamin A (beta-carotene) and potassium.
Winter squash varieties include butternut, acorn and delicata. Each has its own flavor profile: butternuts have sweet flavors that pair well with savory ingredients like sage; acorns have a nutty taste; delicatas have a light sweetness that’s perfect for pairing with applesauce!
Embrace the holiday spirit and cultivate your own healthy and delicious food with our guide to urban farming during the holidays! Learn how the practice can bring joy and fulfillment to your holiday season.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a fall crop, making them ideal for an urban farm. They are easy to grow and have a long harvest time, so you can grow sweet potatoes as your main crop or add them to your fall garden.
Sweet potatoes improve soil health by adding organic matter, boosting microbial activity and providing a food source for soil animals.
Sweet potatoes are versatile—you can eat them baked or roasted, boiled or fried with no added fat! Sweet potato vines produce edible flowers that taste like artichokes.
The tubers also have medicinal properties; they help lower blood pressure when consumed regularly as part of your diet.
Top Brands for Sweet Potato Slips
| Brand Name | Sweet Potato Varieties | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Steele Plant Company | Beauregard Sweet Potato, Covington Sweet Potato, Orleans Sweet Potato | Organic options available, ships from Georgia |
| Scott Farms Sweet Potato Seed | Covington Sweet Potato, Murasaki Sweet Potato | Certified virus-free, ships from North Carolina |
| Sow True Seed | Beauregard Sweet Potato, Porto Rico Sweet Potato | Non-GMO and organic options available, promotes sustainable agriculture |
| George’s Plant Farm | Georgia Jet Sweet Potato, Beauregard Sweet Potato | Ships from Arkansas, guarantee their plants |
| West Coast Seeds | Beauregard Sweet Potato, Georgia Jet Sweet Potato | Non-GMO and organic options available, ships from Canada |
The new table provides information about the top brands for sweet potato slips, or the small plants that are used to grow sweet potatoes. The table includes details about the varieties of sweet potatoes each brand offers, as well as any notable features that set them apart from other brands.
Tomatillos and Chiles
Tomatillos are members of the nightshade family. They are related to tomatoes, but their flavor is more tart and tangy.
A member of the genus Physalis, these fruits are also known as Mexican green tomatoes or husk tomatoes because they’re encased in a papery casing that needs to be removed before cooking or eating them raw. In Mexican cuisine, tomatillos are frequently used in salsa verde, ceviche and moles.
Tomatillos are best when cooked: Roasting brings out their sweet side while caramelizing the sugars that give them their tart flavor; they’re also delicious sautéed with onions or garlic as part of an omelet filling; try adding some fresh tomatillo slices to your next batch of chili con carne; stir some chopped tomatillos into your favorite soup recipe instead of using leeks or spring onions; try roasting them along with other vegetables like peppers and squash for an easy vegetarian dinner!
Chiles start out small but grow quite large once mature—they can reach heights up to 20 feet tall if left unbounded by fences or trellises (and sometimes by bushes).
With its fiery red fruit pods hanging off strong branches like Christmas tree decorations waiting for Santa Claus himself?and what better time than now?
Looking to add a little greenery to your holiday decor? Our article on incorporating urban farming into your Christmas decorations offers unique and creative ideas for incorporating plants into your holiday displays.
Fall Greens
Kale, collards, mustard greens, spinach, arugula
These crops are easy to grow in small spaces and can be grown in containers or raised beds. They’re also great for fall harvest because they tend to produce well through the winter months.
They can be harvested throughout the fall and winter, so you’ll have plenty of greens on hand to eat raw or cook year-round!
Cut Flowers
Cut flowers are a wonderful way to make a statement. They can be used as centerpieces, table decor, bouquets and more.
There are several different types of cut flowers that you can grow in your urban farm. Some of the most popular cut flower crops include:
- Poinsettia
- Amaryllis
- Daffodil
Poinsettias are bright and bold—they’ll add some flair to any space! Amaryllis bulbs are available at most nurseries in fall or early winter (or you can order them online).
Once planted, they send up tall spiky stalks with beautiful trumpet shaped blooms at the top from December through mid-February. Daffodils bloom in early spring when they’re covered with colorful blooms in shades of yellow, white or pink.
Take your holiday season to the next level with our ultimate guide to urban farming for a festive Christmas! We’ll teach you everything you need to know about creating an urban farm that will bring joy, sustainability, and nutrition to your holiday season.
Conclusion
And that’s it! These are some of the best Christmas crops for your urban farm. If you have any other suggestions, feel free to leave them in the comments section below. Happy farming!
Further Reading
Here are some recommended resources to learn more about urban farming and related topics:
How innovations will feed cities in the future: This article discusses the various technological innovations that can help manage and grow food in urban areas.
Agricultura Urbana: This PDF offers a comprehensive guide to urban farming in Spanish, covering topics such as soil, plants, and water management, as well as examples of successful urban farming projects.
World’s Top 8 Companies Leading in Vertical Farming: This article provides an overview of the top companies leading the way in vertical farming, including details about their technology, products, and services.
FAQs
What is urban farming?
Urban farming is the practice of cultivating, processing, and distributing food in or around urban areas.
How does urban farming help the environment?
Urban farming can help the environment by reducing the carbon footprint associated with long-distance food transportation, conserving water usage, promoting biodiversity, and reducing waste.
What are the benefits of urban farming?
Some benefits of urban farming include promoting healthy eating habits, creating jobs, increasing access to locally produced food, promoting biodiversity, and providing opportunities for social interaction and community building.
How can I get started with urban farming?
One way to get started with urban farming is to start small with container gardens or balcony gardens. It’s also helpful to do research on local resources and urban farming programs that can provide guidance and support.
Is urban farming financially viable?
The financial viability of urban farming can vary depending on factors such as the cost of land, access to funding, and the demand for locally produced food. However, with the right business model and strategic planning, urban farming can be a profitable enterprise.
I’m Hellen James, and I’m an urban farmer and blogger. I’ve been growing food in my backyard for years, and I love sharing what I’ve learned with other people who want to start farming in their own yards.