Here’s the thing: we live in a climate that can be harsh and unforgiving, but it also has the potential to be beautiful and bountiful. Growing your own food is a rewarding way to take advantage of this dichotomy and it makes living in the city even more enjoyable.
If you’re interested in starting your own urban farm, this guide will show you how I started my own garden (and learned all of these lessons) over the past year.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Starting an urban farm is a great way to promote sustainable living and reduce food insecurity in urban areas. |
| Urban farming can be done on a small scale with container gardens or on a larger scale with rooftop gardens or community green spaces. |
| Research is key when starting an urban farm, including site selection, soil preparation, and understanding local laws and regulations. |
| Urban farming has numerous benefits, including providing fresh produce to urban residents, reducing carbon emissions, and increasing access to green space. |
| Common challenges of urban farming include limited space, poor soil quality, and access to water. Planning and preparation are important in overcoming these challenges. |
Step 1: Plan Your Farm
Before you can start your urban farm, there are a few things to consider. First, plan what you want to grow and how many plants you’ll need.
You also need to consider the space you have available for your farm, as well as its climate and weather conditions. If this sounds overwhelming already, don’t worry! This section will walk through all the steps necessary for planning an urban farm, including:
- Finding out what type of crops grow best in your area
- Determining how much space is available for growing
- Researching which resources are available
Container gardening is a great way to start your very own garden, even if you have limited space. For a complete guide to starting your own container garden in small spaces, check out our article on container gardening for small spaces and start growing your own produce from the comfort of your own home or apartment.
Step 2: Decide What to Grow
There are a few things to consider when deciding what to grow. First, you need to consider the climate of your area.
If you live in an area where winters are harsh and summers are long and hot, there may not be much opportunity for growing some crops. Along those same lines, if you have a short growing season (such as Maine), your options might be limited as well.
Second, take into account what kind of produce do you like? Are there certain fruits or vegetables that aren’t readily available at local grocery stores or farmers markets that would make it worth growing them yourself?
Thirdly also consider whether there is anything you’ve ever wanted try growing but haven’t found the time or space!
Finally once all these factors come together it’s time to start making lists!
Best Crops to Grow in an Urban Farm
| Crops | Details |
|---|---|
| Microgreens | These nutrient-packed greens are easy to grow and mature quickly, making them a great addition to any urban farm. Try popular varieties like arugula, radish, and wheatgrass. |
| Herbs | Many herbs can be easily grown in containers, making them a great choice for small-scale urban farms. Popular herbs include basil, thyme, and cilantro. |
| Tomatoes | Compact tomato plants like cherry and grape tomatoes are ideal for urban farms. These plants can be grown in containers and are well-suited for vertical growing systems. |
| Leafy Greens | Lettuce, kale, and spinach can all be successfully grown in an urban farm setting. Leafy greens are a great choice for beginner gardeners and can be grown year-round in indoor systems. |
| Root Vegetables | Carrots, beets, and radishes are all root vegetables that can be grown in containers or raised beds. These vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals and can be grown year-round in indoor systems. |
Note: There are many other crops that can be grown in an urban farm, including fruits, berries, and even mushrooms. The above table represents just a few popular and easy-to-grow options.
Step 3: Pick The Right Location
Now that you’ve figured out what kind of urban farm you want to start and how much space you’ll need, it’s time to pick a location.
The best place for your new urban farm will be somewhere sunny with good drainage and access to water. Here are some other important factors to consider:
- Is the spot convenient for you? It may be easier for you to make regular visits if the site is close by, so keep this in mind as well as other factors like traffic and noise levels.
- Is there any chance of flooding? If so, avoid building on low-lying land in areas where heavy rains can cause flooding during storms or hurricanes.
Growing plants indoors is a great way to improve air quality and brighten up your living space. If you’re new to indoor gardening, our comprehensive guide on how to start your own indoor garden will provide you with the tools and knowledge you need to succeed. Check out our article on indoor gardening 101 and start growing plants indoors today.
Step 4: Claim Your Space
Once you’ve decided on your urban farm’s location, it’s time to claim your space. This will be the most important part of this process, so don’t rush through it!
Urban farmers are a resourceful bunch; many find their spaces by exploring abandoned lots and old industrial buildings, but there are other options as well.
If you’re lucky enough to live close enough to take advantage of any community gardens or public parks in your area, be sure to get involved with those groups early on they’ll likely have year-round greenhouses where you can prepare soil for planting (this is especially helpful if you’re new at gardening).
Once spring rolls around (typically mid-March), plant seeds wherever they’ll receive plenty of sun exposure throughout the day.
In addition to having good drainage, these spaces should also provide protection from wind when possible;
if possible, consider using planters that have walls around them instead of just placing them directly in open ground without any kind of barrier between them and other elements like wind gusts or excessive heat coming off nearby buildings during summer months’.
Table: Top Tools and Products to Claim Your Urban Farming Space
| Tool/Product | Description |
|---|---|
| Smart Pots | Fabric containers that provide better airflow and root aeration compared to traditional plastic pots, ideal for growing fruits and vegetables in small spaces. |
| Earthway Precision Garden Seeder | A planting tool that helps to accurately sow small seeds, such as lettuce and carrots, even in tight spots like planter boxes and raised garden beds. |
| Burpee Garden Products | An all-purpose organic soil mix and compost blend specifically formulated for vegetable gardens, available in various sizes to accommodate different urban farming projects. |
| Greenstalk Planters | Vertical gardens that can hold up to 90 plants using minimal space, and feature a patented watering system to ensure plants receive the correct amount of water. |
| Agribon AG-19 Floating Row Cover | A protective cover that helps to extend the growing season by insulating plants and protecting them from harsh weather and pests. |
This table suggests some of the top tools and products to claim your urban farming space, including Smart Pots, which allow for healthier plant growth and better use of small spaces. The Earthway Precision Garden Seeder helps with accurate planting of small seeds, while Burpee Garden Products provide the necessary organic soil mix and compost needed to ensure optimal growth.
Greenstalk Planters make use of vertical space and allow for up to 90 plants to be grown in a small area. Finally, the Agribon AG-19 Floating Row Cover offers protection from harsh weather conditions and pests, allowing for extended growing seasons.
Step 5: Choose Your Growing System
Now that you’ve chosen the best location for your urban farm, it’s time to decide how you will grow the plants.
There are many different ways of growing crops. Some methods involve soil, others use water and sometimes a combination of both.
It is important to consider what kind of crop you are growing and whether or not it will be successful in your chosen growing system.
Hydroponic farming involves growing crops without soil by using mineral nutrient solutions in a plastic or cloth container.
The plants roots sit directly into these nutrient solutions so they can absorb all the minerals they need from there instead of through their roots being submerged in soil like normal garden vegetables would be planted before harvest time arrives each year when gardeners pick their vegetables out at home gardens around town.
Aquaponics is another type of hydroponic system where fish live inside tanks underneath where you grow fruit trees above ground level on top racks/tables/benches made out with plastic sheeting material since nothing else exists within these indoor farms except
Celebrate Christmas this year with a homegrown meal from your very own garden! Check out our article on how to grow your own Christmas dinner with urban farming and learn how to grow your own turkeys, hams, and seasonal vegetables this holiday season.
Step 6: Make a Water Plan
A water plan is an essential part of your farm. Without one, you will be unable to know how much water is required to maintain your crops and livestock. A good urban farmer knows how much water they need, where it comes from, and how often they have to refill their tanks.
Here are some tips for making a successful water plan:
- Know where the nearest clean source of water is located
- Get an estimate from local officials about how much water will be needed each day by using the flow rate per gallon per minute (GPM) formula: GPM = gallons-per second / 74600 seconds/hour = gallons-per hour
- Calculate how many times per week or month this number can be refilled with any given source; if possible, find out if there are other sources nearby so that there’s always backup available in case one goes down
Step 7: Prepare Your Plot
After you’ve found a plot of land, it’s time to prepare the soil for planting. You can do this by digging up your plot if it isn’t already cleared and preparing the soil for growing.
To do this, use a shovel or hoe to break up clumps of dirt so that they’re well mixed with oxygen. This will allow plants to grow properly once you start planting them!
You should also consider preparing your garden bed by digging into the topsoil (the dark layer) before marinating on top of it: this will make sure that nutrients are evenly distributed throughout all layers when you plant seeds or seedlings later on down the road!
Start the new year off right with urban farming, and our guide on how it can help you achieve your goals! To learn more about how urban farming can give you a fresh start in the new year, check out our article on how urban farming can help you ring in the 2023 new year with a fresh start and start your journey towards a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.
Step 8: Plant and Harvest
Now that you’ve got your garden up and running, it’s time to get planting!
Plant your seeds. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it can be easy to forget that this is an important step in starting your urban farm.
Make sure you have enough space for each seed so that they are planted at the proper depth and distance apart from one another. You will also want to make sure you have enough soil or compost ready before starting this process.
Harvesting is another key component of owning your own urban farm because it is what allows you to sell what you grow or use it in other ways around the house or community center where you live.
If there are any hungry mouths nearby (or even if there aren’t), harvesting regularly will keep them satisfied while allowing the plants themselves enough time between harvests so as not to become exhausted by overuse of resources needed for their survival such as water and nutrients found within soil beds nearby neighbors’ properties too close by for comfort levels (especially if those neighbors have pets!).
Step 9: Sell and Enjoy!
Once you’ve grown your first batch of crops, it’s time to sell them! The best way to do this is through a farmer’s market.
As long as you can find enough customers and produce the goods, selling your produce at a farmer’s market is a great way to make some extra cash.
Once you’ve sold all your crops, relax and enjoy them! You worked hard growing these things so now it’s time for you to reap the benefits of all that hard work!
If you’re looking for reasons to start urban farming in the new year, we’ve got you covered. Check out our article on 10 reasons why you should try urban farming in the 2023 new year and discover how urban farming can improve your health, well-being, and the environment.
Conclusion
There is no reason to be intimidated by urban farming. It’s a fun, rewarding and easy way to get back in touch with your food and the natural world around us.
And it doesn’t take much space either! So if you are looking for an interesting hobby or career change, consider growing some of your own food and making money from it too.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources you may find useful in starting your urban farm:
Grocycle – Learn about the basics of starting an urban farm and the benefits of urban farming.
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources – A comprehensive guide on how to start an urban farm, including information on site selection, soil preparation, and marketing.
Broadsheet – A list of helpful tips for starting your own urban farm, including advice on selecting the right site, choosing the right crops, and managing your resources.
FAQs
What is urban farming?
Urban farming refers to the practice of growing crops and raising livestock in urban areas, often for commercial purposes or to provide fresh produce to urban residents.
Is it legal to start an urban farm in my city?
Laws and regulations regarding urban farming vary by city and region. It is important to research and understand the regulations in your area before starting an urban farm.
What are the benefits of urban farming?
Urban farming has many benefits, including providing fresh and locally grown produce to urban residents, reducing greenhouse gas emissions through local food production, and increasing green space in urban areas.
What are some common challenges of urban farming?
Some common challenges of urban farming include limited space, poor soil quality, and access to water. It is important to research and plan for these obstacles before starting an urban farm.
Do I need any special equipment to start an urban farm?
The equipment needed for an urban farm will depend on the size and type of operation you plan to run. Common equipment includes shovels, rakes, watering cans, and small hand tools. More advanced equipment such as drip irrigation systems and soil testing equipment may also be necessary depending on your needs.
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.