As a city dweller, it can be easy to feel disconnected from nature. But the good news is that you can start incorporating urban farming into your life with just a little bit of work. Here are some creative ways to get started on your own urban farm in 2023:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Incorporating urban farming into your New Year’s resolutions can lead to fulfilling, sustainable and healthy lifestyle choices. |
| Container gardening and indoor gardening are viable options for urban gardening. |
| Permaculture gardening offers a holistic approach to farming that prioritizes self-sufficiency and sustainability. |
| Making sustainable New Year’s resolutions can have positive environmental impacts and benefits. |
| Getting involved in conservation efforts in your community can make a positive impact towards a more sustainable future. |
1. Start Sprouting
If you’re looking for a way to get started with urban farming, sprouts are an easy choice. They’re easy to grow and don’t require much space or time, which makes them ideal for beginners. They’re also nutrient-dense!
Plus, they can be grown in any season even in winter months when the ground is frozen outside.
To start your own sprouting operation at home, all you need is a jar or plate (any size will do), a handful of seeds (any type will do), some water and a lid that fits snugly on top of the jar or plate so that no moisture escapes while they’re growing.
Fill up your jar or plate with water and then add your seeds it’s important not to crowd them too tightly because otherwise they won’t have enough room for their roots to spread out as much as Possible When It Comes Time For Harvest Time Later On Down The Road.”
Gardening in small spaces can be enjoyable and fulfilling. Our ultimate guide to container gardening provides you with tips and strategies to create a thriving garden on your balcony or patio.
2. Buy A Compost Bin
Composting is a great way to reduce waste, improve soil quality and feed your garden. Most people compost in their backyard, but if you live in an apartment or don’t have space for one, there are other options.
Composting can be done at home by creating a compost pile or by purchasing a small bin (or even just using your kitchen scraps.) Here are some things to think about when buying a compost bin:
- How much space do you have?
- Where will it go in your home?
- Will it be easy to access and use?
Best Compost Bins for Urban Farming
Compost Bin Brand Features Envirocycle Composting Tumbler Bin Envirocycle Made from 100% recycled plastic, compact design, excellent aeration, double chamber (2.5 cubic foot capacity), drum separates to create compost tea Miracle-Gro Dual Chamber Compost Tumbler Miracle-Gro Sturdy and durable, double chamber (18.5 gallons each), air vents and mixing bar, easy to rotate, comes with composting guide Algreen Products Soil Saver Classic Compost bin Algreen Products Made with 100% recycled material, large 12.6 cubic foot capacity, secure locking lid, sliding access door, easy, assembly The above table lists some of the best compost bins for urban farming, ensuring that you can make compost from your kitchen scraps and weeds. The table includes the brand name, features such as capacity, material, design, and compatibility with urban farming.
3. Find A Community Garden
There are a number of community gardens in the United States, which means there’s almost certainly one near you.
You can find out if your city has its own garden by looking up “community garden” on Google Maps, or calling the local parks department. If it doesn’t seem like they offer community gardening, then they probably don’t!
Once you’ve located an appropriate community garden, be sure to ask about registration and fees before getting started.
Some may charge a flat rate per year; others may require an annual membership fee and/or payment for each plot that is used. Finally, make sure that selling or giving away what you grow is allowed!
Indoor gardening is a great way to bring the beauty of nature inside your home. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, our 10 surprising benefits of indoor gardening article will give you the inspiration you need to get started.
4. Grow Your Own Herbs
Herbs are a great way to add flavor and variety to your cooking. They’re also easy to grow, whether you have access to a yard or can keep them in pots on a balcony. There’s no excuse not to try growing your own herbs!
Herbs are also calming and therapeutic; if you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed by the tasks at hand this year, growing some herbs is an easy way for you to relax and enjoy the natural world around you while simultaneously reducing stress levels.
Best Herb Garden Kits for Urban Farming
| Herb Garden Kit | Brand | Features |
|---|---|---|
| AeroGarden Harvest Elite Slim | AeroGarden | Compact, vertical design, 6 pod capacity, LED grow light system, easy to set up and maintain, includes gourmet herb seed kit |
| Back to the Roots Water Garden | Back to the Roots | All-in-one design, doubles as a fish tank, includes organic microgreen seeds and fish food, low maintenance, natural filtration system |
| GrowLED 4 Pods LED Indoor Gardening Kit | GrowLED | Intelligent LED grow lighting, adjustable height, 12.6 x 6.7 x 15.8 inches size, automatic watering system, includes starter kit of herb seeds |
| Mindful Design LED Indoor Herb Garden | Mindful Design | Modern, sleek design, 3 pod capacity, intelligent LED lighting, automatic watering system, includes starter kit of herb seeds |
| Click and Grow Smart Garden 9 | Click and Grow | Self-watering system, LED grow lights, 9 pod capacity, automatic plant-care reminders through mobile app, includes seed pods and nutrients |
This table features some of the best herb garden kits available for urban farming, allowing you to grow fresh herbs at home. The table includes the brand name, features such as design, capacity, lighting, watering system, and included seed kits to help you make an informed decision based on your preferences.
5. Grow Mushrooms
Mushrooms are one of the easiest things to grow, and they can be used in a wide variety of recipes. They’re also an excellent source of protein, which means that they can help you achieve your goal of eating healthier this year.
It’s really quite simple: all you need is some compost and peat moss to start growing mushrooms at home! If space is limited, you could also plant them in planters or even on your balcony or patio.
Mushrooms don’t take up much room but still provide plenty of nutrients when eaten fresh or cooked into meals like soups or stir-fries.
Organic farming is a powerful way to boost your health and well-being while reducing your carbon footprint. Check out our article on the incredible power of organic farming to learn more about how this natural and sustainable farming method can positively impact your life.
6. Try Hydroponics
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil. Instead, the roots are placed in a nutrient-rich solution and grown in water with the help of pumps, filters and other equipment.
Hydroponic gardening has many advantages over traditional methods: it’s more efficient than growing plants in soil, it uses less water (which means less money spent on utilities), it reduces the amount of chemicals you need to use on your crops (since they aren’t exposed to pests), and it can be used anywhere – even indoors!
So if you’re looking for a new hobby this year, consider giving hydroponics a try!
7. Raise Chickens (Or Other Animals) In Your Backyard
Chickens are a great source of protein and easy to raise, but their eggs are just about the most delicious thing you’ll ever taste.
Chickens also provide manure for your garden (which is a fantastic fertilizer), can be raised in small spaces, and can be kept as pets. If you have kids or like having them around—chickens make awesome pets!
If you’re looking for something more exotic than chickens, there are plenty of other animals that would work well too: turkeys, sheep or goats will all provide meat and milk products while giving back to your garden by fertilizing it with their waste products.
Permaculture gardening is a holistic approach to farming that prioritizes sustainability and self-sufficiency. Our permaculture for beginners guide offers step-by-step instructions to follow if you want to transform your garden into a sustainable and productive ecosystem.
8. Plant Fruit Trees
Planting fruit trees is a great way to get started with urban farming. Fruit trees can be grown in a small space and you can harvest them in the summer months.
They are easy to grow and maintain, making it the perfect project for beginners looking to get into the practice of urban farming!
9. Build A Beehive
Beehives are incredibly easy to build and maintain, even if you have no prior experience. All you need is a small box that can house the hive, some bees (don’t worry they come with instructions), and some frames to hold the honeycomb.
The bees will take care of this last part by themselves! Beeswax is also a great ingredient for making candles or soap-making, so keep your eyes open for any excess wax as you harvest your honey.
If your hive does swarm, don’t panic! Swarming happens when there aren’t enough worker bees in the hive to keep up with all of its duties in other words, when it’s too busy producing more food than needed.
As long as everyone makes it out alive after the swarm occurs (hint: put down that baseball bat), then everything should be fine in no time at all!
If you need inspiration to get started with permaculture, our 10 amazing permaculture projects article showcases different types of gardens and farming initiatives that are not only beautiful, but also sustainable and environmentally-friendly.
10. Build An Urban Farm In Your Basement Or Garage
If you have a basement or garage that’s not being used, then this can be a great way to get started with urban farming.
You need to create an environment where plants can grow in soil-less conditions (hydroponic system).
There are multiple types of hydroponic systems, but they all have one thing in common: they use nutrient rich water instead of soil to grow plants. If you want to try this method out then checkout our article on how to build your own home.
This is definitely one of the most fun ways of growing food indoors without using any soil or sunlight!
Conclusion
I hope this article has inspired you to consider urban farming as part of your New Year’s resolutions. It is a great way to get back to nature while also helping the environment and improving your health.
You don’t need much space or money to start, but you do need some creativity! Use these tips as inspiration for your own urban farm project, and let us know how it goes in the comments below!
Further Reading
For more information on living sustainably and incorporating environmental practices into your lifestyle, check out these links:
Sustainable New Year’s Resolutions: One Tree Planted offers a list of sustainable and eco-friendly New Year’s resolutions that you can make to be more mindful of your environmental impact in 2023.
What Are Your 2023 Conservation Resolutions?: The Farmers Blog discusses the importance of making conservation resolutions for the new year and provides tips and resources to help you achieve your sustainability goals.
5 Ways to Get Involved in 2023 Based on Your New Year’s Resolution: Daily Bread Food Bank offers suggestions for how to get involved in your community and make a positive impact based on the New Year’s resolutions that you set for yourself.
FAQs
What are sustainable New Year’s resolutions?
Sustainable New Year’s resolutions are promises that you make to change or adjust your lifestyle to reduce your environmental footprint and make more eco-friendly choices. They can include things like reducing your energy usage or waste, buying more locally-sourced products, or using alternative modes of transportation.
How can permaculture gardening benefit the environment?
Permaculture gardening prioritizes self-sufficiency and sustainability, which can lead to positive environmental impacts such as reducing water usage, soil erosion, and greenhouse gas emissions. It can also help to promote biodiversity and the natural balance of ecosystems.
Can indoor gardening be a viable option for city dwellers?
Yes, indoor gardening can be a great option for city dwellers who might not have access to a yard or outdoor space. With the right equipment and set-up, you can grow a variety of plants and herbs in your home while enjoying the benefits of gardening.
How can I get involved in conservation efforts in my community?
There are many ways to get involved in conservation efforts in your community, such as volunteering for local clean-up initiatives or supporting local conservation organizations. You can also make small changes in your lifestyle, such as reducing your energy usage or using more eco-friendly products.
What are some benefits of organic farming?
Organic farming is a farming method that utilizes natural methods and avoids the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Benefits can include improved soil health, reduced exposure to harmful chemicals, and the promotion of biodiversity. Additionally, organic farming can result in healthier and more sustainable food production.
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.