When you think of urban farming, you probably think of growing your own herbs and vegetables. But did you know there’s another way to use urban farming to make your life more festive this Christmas?
In this guide, we’ll be showing you some ways that an urban farmer can get into the spirit of Christmas by growing their own decorations, making them from scratch or foraging for some winter foliage to liven up their home.
We’re not talking about anything complicated here either – so don’t worry if this is all new territory!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Urban farming is the practice of growing food crops and raising livestock in urban or suburban environments. |
| Urban farming can provide access to fresh, nutritious food in areas where it may be limited or expensive, while also reducing food waste. |
| There are many different urban farming techniques, from traditional soil-based gardening to hydroponics, aquaponics, and aeroponics. |
| Anyone can start their own urban farm with some basic knowledge and tools, but it’s important to check local zoning laws and regulations before starting. |
| Urban farming can present unique challenges such as limited space, lack of sunlight, and soil contamination, but with proper planning and techniques, many of these challenges can be overcome. |
Grow Your Own Christmas Tree
Growing your own Christmas tree is a wonderful way to celebrate the season. Your friends and family will be so impressed when they see how beautiful it looks in your home, nestled among the presents under the tree.
Here’s how to do it:
- Preparing Soil
You’ll need some soil that’s light and fluffy with plenty of nutrients to encourage growth. It should be free draining, well-draining and not too acidic or alkaline (pH 7). You can check the pH level by testing it with a kit from your local garden centre or hardware store.
Choosing A Tree You’ll want to choose a variety of Christmas tree that suits your space; some grow tall while others stay short, so think about what sort of look you’re going for and make sure there’s enough room.
Planting The Seedling Once you’ve prepared your soil and decided on a variety of Christmas tree for yourself, take the seedling out of its pot and gently loosen up any roots that may have become compacted inside during transport.
If you’re looking to grow your own food this holiday season, read our article on how to grow your own Christmas dinner with urban farming. You’ll learn about the best crops to plant and how to successfully grow them in an urban setting.
Grow Your Own Wreath
You can grow your own wreath from an assortment of things. You can use herbs, flowers, berries and leaves. You can use pine cones, bark, moss and other natural materials.
The best part is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on this project because you’re recycling what you already have lying around the house or yard.
If you want to get fancy though there are many options for purchasing seeds online and at garden centers that will give you fresh greenery for your wreath making adventure!
Top Brands for Growing Your Own Wreath
| Brand | Product | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Burpee | Mixed Flower Seed Packet | A mix of annual and perennial flowers in various colors to create a unique wreath. |
| Botanical Interests | Herb Seed Collection | A collection of herb seeds to create a fragrant and flavorful wreath. |
| Bloomscape | Fresh Wreath Kit | A DIY kit that includes fresh greens, ribbon, and wire to make a classic wreath. |
| Terrain | Wreath-Making Workshop | A hands-on workshop to learn how to make a wreath with fresh greens and decorations. |
| Johnny’s Selected Seeds | Garland Making Kit | A kit that includes fresh greens, clips, and wire to create a garland that can be used for wreaths and other decorations. |
Make Your Own Christmas Decorations
If you’re on a budget, or just want to get creative, making your own decorations is an easy way to decorate in style without breaking the bank. You can recycle old Christmas decorations and materials from around the house.
These can be natural items like pine cones, holly leaves and berries, branches and twigs. Or you could use found objects such as empty bottles, tins cans or anything else that catches your eye!
Have you ever wanted to try urban farming but felt like you didn’t have enough space? Check out the top 10 Christmas crops for your urban farm and learn how you can grow a variety of plants even in a small space.
Make A Christmas Wreath
First, gather the following materials:
- Large bundle of evergreen branches (you want them to be around 5 to 7 feet long)
- Ribbon in your favorite holiday colors
- Wire cutters or clippers of some sort (optional)
Now, follow these steps:
- Cut off all but about 2 inches at the top and bottom ends of each branch. You can throw away those ends, but we feel like they might make a nice addition to someone’s holiday fire pit!
- Next, tie a piece of ribbon onto each end so that all your branches are covered and ready for hanging on your Christmas tree or wall-mounted wreath hanger (we highly recommend this option).
- Lastly—and this may seem obvious—make sure all your ribbons are facing outward so there’s no chance they’ll get tangled up while you’re making your wreath!
Looking for some inspiration for your urban farm this holiday season? Our article on the top 15 urban farming trends for a Christmas has got you covered. From eco-friendly gift ideas to sustainable holiday decorations, this guide has it all.
Make Christmas Tree Baubles
Christmas tree baubles are a great way to add some festive fun to your Christmas decorations. You can make them from recycled materials and they look amazing!
To start, you will need:
- An empty tin (I used an old tuna can)
- A piece of string or wire that is just longer than the height of your tin
- A small piece of wire or thread
- Scissors
Brands with Christmas Tree Baubles
| Brand | Description |
|---|---|
| Swarovski | Swarovski offers a range of Christmas tree baubles that are elegantly designed and perfect for adding a touch of sparkle to your tree. |
| Hallmark | Hallmark has a selection of Christmas tree baubles, including personalized options with your name or photo. |
| Waterford | Waterford’s crystal Christmas tree baubles are both beautiful and timeless, adding a touch of luxury to your holiday decor. |
| Disney Store | Disney Store has a range of character-themed Christmas tree baubles, perfect for fans of classic Disney movies or newer favorites like Frozen. |
| Pottery Barn | Pottery Barn offers a variety of Christmas tree baubles, including classic glass baubles and more unique options like animal-inspired designs. |
How To Make A Pomander Centrepiece
If you haven’t heard of a pomander, it’s a fragrant ball made from oranges. It was originally made in Europe during the Middle Ages as a way to ward off illness and bad spirits. We’re not sure if this would actually work or not, but it sure looks pretty!
To make your own pomander centrepiece:
- Peel all of the oranges using a vegetable peeler
- Slice each orange into quarters, then cut each quarter into thirds (for a total of 12 wedges per orange). You should end up with about 90 wedges per orange.
- Place one wedge in each hole of an ice cube tray and fill with water until they’re covered by 1/4″ water
Discover the benefits of urban farming and get started this Christmas season with our article on discovering the joy of urban farming this Christmas. You’ll learn about the many benefits of growing your own food and how it can help you live a healthier, more sustainable life.
How To Make A Cinnamon Spiced Candle
To make a cinnamon spiced candle, you’ll need:
- 1 cup soy wax flakes
- 1/2 cup refined beeswax
- 10 drops of cinnamon essential oil (you can use vanilla instead if you prefer)
- A few tablespoons of water, to help the wick absorb more easily into the wax and keep it from burning too fast. You can also use a spray bottle to mist your wick every now and Then Throughout The Process. You Don’t Want It Soaking Wet Though!
How To Make Paper Snowflakes
Snowflakes are one of the most popular symbols of winter, and they’re also a beloved Christmas tradition. When you’re decorating for the holiday season, don’t forget to add some paper snowflakes to your decorations!
You’ll need:
- Paper (the thicker the better)
- Scissors or a craft knife
- Pencil or pen
Looking to start a new Christmas tradition? Consider urban farming! Our article on why urban farming is the future of Christmas tradition explores the benefits of urban farming and how it can help you and your family connect with nature and each other.
How To Make Bird Feeders
Bird feeders are a great way to attract birds to your garden, which is especially useful if you have a lot of bird-eating pests or just want to attract the beautiful birds. Bird feeders are also the perfect project for Christmas: they’re cheap and easy, can be made from recycled materials and they look festive!
All you need is an old jar or bottle, some string and something festive like ribbon or paper. Here’s how:
First, wash out a large jar with hot soapy water. If there’s any residue left from its previous use (like jam) try soaking it overnight in hot water with some vinegar added for extra cleaning power. Cut off any excess threads on both sides of the lid using scissors then rinse completely in warm water until no soap bubbles appear when you rub it against itself (which means it’s clean).
Fill about ¼ of the jar with birdseed then thread one end through two holes in your lid so that it makes one continuous length hanging down from where it meets both sides near each end – make sure these holes are big enough so that smaller birds can get access as well!
Tie off ends together as best as possible – if this doesn’t work right away try adding another piece lower down on top (below where yarn goes through) making sure not too tight since might cause problems opening later if needed!
Finally add some festive decoration such as ribbon around whole edge before hanging up somewhere safe outside near trees where lots of birds come by often like parks etc…
Forage For Winter Foliage
Foraging is a great way to get out and about in the countryside and sample some of the wonderful local produce that we have here in Britain.
It’s also an easy way to add some interesting, unusual ingredients to your festive table, which makes it perfect for those who want to make their Christmas food stand out from the crowd!
You can find edible plants at parks and gardens, as well as along woodland edges or even on suburban roadsides – so if you’re looking for something a little different this year then why not give it a go?
Plant Some Winter Cut Flowers And Foliage
If you want to add some festive cheer to your house, this is a great way to do it. By planting some winter cut flowers and foliage, you can brighten up your home for Christmas.
Make sure that the plants are easy to grow. Some examples are:
Poinsettia – This is the most popular plant for Christmas and it looks stunning in a red pot or bowl on display in the living room or kitchen.
The plant will last around six weeks if you keep it watered regularly. They need indirect sunlight so make sure they’re not too close to a window as this might burn them!
They prefer warm conditions so keep them near radiators or fireplaces if possible. If they’re not getting enough light, they’ll start dropping leaves which isn’t ideal but won’t kill them either!
Chrysanthemums – These can be found at most garden centres around September/October time (they don’t flower until around November though) and come in different colours such as yellow / orange / white etcetera – there are also scented varieties too which smell lovely when brought into the home 🙂
Get Your Garden Ready For Next Spring’s Arrivals
Now that you’re done with Christmas and have time to breathe, it’s time to prepare your garden for next spring’s arrivals. The first step is to get your soil ready.
If you’ve been growing in a container, now is the time to put those plants into the ground. Alternatively, if you’ve been growing on a balcony or deck this whole time and didn’t use any soil at all, now is when you’ll want to fill up some pots and start preparing them for planting too!
Next comes preparation of seeds and seedlings: if you’re going with a quick-growing crop like basil or spinach (or carrots), get those started two weeks before planting outside so they can become established before winter hits again too hard; otherwise wait until spring arrives before starting anything from seed indoors since outdoor conditions aren’t ideal during wintertime anyway (unless we’re talking about tropical areas).
Urban Farming Can Be Really Festive In The Winter
Urban farming is a great way to celebrate the Christmas season. You can grow your own food, make your own decorations and even plant seeds for next year. It’s a great way to get the whole family involved in the festive spirit.
Think about all of the things you can do with urban farming during this time of year:
- Grow your own decorations by planting vegetables like carrots or dill just before Thanksgiving. You’ll have fresh vegetables to decorate with on Christmas Day!
- Plant some herbs like thyme or sage in late October to make herb-infused oils for gift giving purposes. These special blends are sure to be a hit with friends and family members alike!
Urban farming really does have something for everyone at any point in life, so don’t hesitate! Get out there and try it yourself today!
Conclusion
There are many ways in which you can get involved in urban farming, and it’s a great way to get closer to nature and stay healthy. The more people who embrace this lifestyle, the better it will be for our environment.
Further Reading
For more information on urban farming, check out the following resources:
The Ultimate Guide to Urban Farming: Sustainable Living in Your Home, Community, and Business – This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about urban farming and sustainable living, from building a garden to raising livestock.
Urban Farming – GroCycle – GroCycle is a resource hub for urban farmers, providing articles and guides on a range of topics, including composting, hydroponics, and mushroom growing.
5 Ways to Discover Urban Agriculture in Montreal – If you’re in Montreal and interested in urban farming, check out this guide to five of the city’s best urban agriculture initiatives.
FAQs
What is urban farming?
Urban farming is the practice of growing food crops and raising livestock in urban or suburban environments. These farms can take many forms, from backyard gardens to commercial enterprises.
Why is urban farming important?
Urban farming is important for several reasons. It can provide access to fresh, nutritious food in urban areas where it may be limited or expensive. It can also help reduce food waste, contribute to local economies, and promote sustainable living practices.
What are some common urban farming techniques?
There are many different urban farming techniques, from traditional soil-based gardening to hydroponics, aquaponics, and aeroponics. Urban farmers may also use composting, vermiculture, and other sustainable practices to support their gardens.
Can anyone start an urban farm?
Yes! Urban farming can be done on a small or large scale, and anyone can start their own urban farm with some basic knowledge and tools. However, it’s important to check local zoning laws and regulations before starting an urban farm.
What are some challenges of urban farming?
Urban farming can present some unique challenges, such as limited space, lack of sunlight, and soil contamination. However, with proper planning and techniques, many of these challenges can be overcome, and urban farming can be a rewarding and sustainable practice.
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.