Hey, it’s great to see you here! Are you someone who is passionate about farming but living in a small urban space? Well, look no further as we’re here to give you tips and tricks to maximize your small space for urban farming success. With the world starting to shift toward sustainable living, urban farming is being embraced, and it’s an efficient way to connect with your food.

So let’s get started!

Start Small and Think Vertical 🌿🌳

When working with small spaces, it’s important to think of a garden vertically. Utilizing vertical spaces can save you a lot of space for adding more plants. You can start with planting in flower pots or build a vertical tower planter using PVC pipe or buckets. A hanging garden from your balcony or porch would be an excellent choice if you want to save your floor space.

A vertical tower planter

Choose Your Plants Wisely 🌵🍓

Picking the plants you want to grow is crucial. You should consider the plant’s water and sun requirements, the available space, and your experience in gardening. Some plants like tomatoes, peppers, and strawberries are easy to grow and great for small spaces. Microgreens are a popular choice too as they grow fast and need less space for planting.

Tomatoes

Companion Planting 🌷🌺

Companion planting is the practice of growing different plants in the same space to maximize nutrients, pollination, and pest control. For example, growing basil beside tomatoes will deter pests that commonly prey on tomato plants and enhance their flavors.

Basil and tomatoes plants complement each other

Soil and Composting 🌱🪱

Soil is the foundation of any plant’s growth, so choosing the right soil is crucial for plant success in any environment. If you plan to start from scratch, consider making your compost using kitchen scraps, lawn waste, and fallen leaves. It will save you money and give your plants the perfect environment for growth.

Small compost bin

Take Advantage of Natural Light ☀️🌤

Natural light is critical for plant growth, so it’s vital to choose the right spot for your plants. Choose south-facing windows or balconies that get maximum sunlight. Plants require at least 6-8 hours of full sun exposure daily for maximum growth.

South-facing window with plants

Use Grow Lights 💡🌟

If there’s not enough natural light, consider using grow lights to supplement light needs. Grow lights allow plants to photosynthesize within a small space under harsh conditions and produce maximum yields, ensuring healthy plant growth.

Grow lights hanging over small plants

Watering and Fertilizing 🌊🌿

Water your plants as needed and be consistent, both for the type of plant and the environment. The general rule of thumb is to water when the soil’s top layer is dry to the touch. Moreover, ensure that you fertilize the plants regularly as nutrients in the soil tend to get depleted over time.

Pot of basil with a watering can next to it

In Conclusion 🎉

Urban farming is a fantastic way to grow your vegetables and herbs, but we must be mindful of space constraints. With these tips, you’ll be able to maximize your small space and help create a sustainable environment.

Thank you for reading👋

The blogger with a small plant on an urban balcony background