Almost 63% of the U.S. population lives in cities. But cities account for only 3.5% of U.S. land. Finding green space in the city is hard, but urban gardening helps bring green to the concrete jungle.
Most people think of big parks and forests when they think about green spaces. But you don’t need acres of land for an amazing garden.
Want a brighter space? How about these 5 genius urban gardening ideas in time for spring?
Raised Gardening Beds
Raised gardening beds work well in any space. You don’t need a plot of land with soil. You can put the raised bed right on a Hymix concrete balcony or any other type of balcony or deck.
With raised beds, you can also grow in an area that has bad soil.
Landscape timbers are good for raised beds. Timbers are inexpensive and look great. Cut them to whatever size works best for your available area. Once the bed is finished, fill it with good potting soil.
Plant a garden in your raised bed. Intermix vegetables and flowers for both beauty and functionality.
Be sure and compost scraps from the kitchen for soil enrichment!
Window Boxes
Window boxes fit almost any type of home or apartment. And they provide greenery in an out-of-the-way space. You can buy them premade or make them yourself.
Classic window boxes have flowers and greenery. But don’t be afraid to think out of the box! Window boxes are also the perfect place for growing herbs for your favorite recipes.
Hanging Plants
Hanging plants are an easy way to bring greenery into a small urban space. Hang indoor plants around the house for fresher air.
Do you have a balcony? Hang plants at varying lengths above the balcony railing. This creates a lush privacy wall that lets in plenty of light and air. It’s the perfect urban garden.
Vertical Wall Garden
Vertical wall gardens are the perfect solution for tiny spaces. Do you have a small walled or fenced-in area? Use rectangular plastic trays with small cells. Tip the cells at a 30-degree angle. Make sure the cells have drainage holes.
Mount the trays on the fence or wall. Succulents grow well in plastic trays that have 2″ x 2″ cells. Plant multi-colored succulents for a pretty look. Frame the tray with some weathered wood.
Now you’ve got a work of art growing up the side of the wall or fence!
Garden in a Shoe Organizer
Have a got a spare over-the-door shoe organizer? Then you’ve got a garden!
Hang a cloth shoe organizer over the fence. Put it in the sunniest spot available. Make sure the cloth drains well. If not, put a few nail holes in the bottom of each compartment for drainage.
Fill each shoe compartment with potting soil, leaving about an inch of space at the top. Put your seeds or herb plants or whatever type of flower you want into the pouches.
Watch your garden grow!
Urban Gardening Ideas
Now you’re armed with some great urban gardening ideas. It’s time to get growing!
From raised beds to shoe organizers, there are lots of easy ways to grow greenery in a small area.
Make your urban space into an oasis. It’s good for your mental health. And if you’re growing herbs and vegetables, it’s good for your diet too!
Look here for more great green-living ideas.
