Urban farming
Practical urban farming guide: container gardening, vertical gardens, hydroponics, rooftop & balcony tips, soil recipes, pests & solutions, and starter checklist for city growers.
Urban Farming: Grow Fresh Food in Small Spaces
Discover easy-to-follow techniques for container gardening, vertical systems, hydroponics, and rooftop farms — perfect for balconies, terraces, and tiny backyards.
- Herbs in 2 weeks (basil, mint)
- Lettuce & salad greens: continuous harvest
- Tomatoes in large containers or grow bags
- Microgreens — harvest in 7–14 days
- Sprouts — easiest for beginners
- Hydroponic kits — small footprint, high yields
Starter checklist
What you need to begin an urban garden — affordable and simple.
- Containers: pots, grow bags, recycled buckets (drainage holes are essential)
- Potting mix: light, fast-draining blend (peat-free options available)
- Seeds or seedlings: choose compact varieties suited for containers
- Tools: hand trowel, watering can, pH test strip (optional)
- Sun & water: at least 4–6 hours of sunlight for most vegetables
Methods: Compare & choose
Container Gardening
Flexible, low-cost — ideal for beginners. Choose containers with 20–30 cm depth for most vegetables.
- Best for: herbs, chili, dwarf tomato, salad greens
- Maintenance: regular watering, feed weekly with balanced fertilizer
Vertical Gardening
Maximise wall or rail space using pockets, trellises, and stacked pots.
- Best for: climbers (beans, peas), strawberries, herbs
- Tip: use light-weight soil mixes to reduce weight load on balconies
Hydroponics & NFT
Soilless systems that are water-efficient and fast-growing. Good for beginners using small kits.
- Best for: lettuce, basil, microgreens
- Needs: pump, nutrient solution, pH monitoring
Soil & Nutrition
Good potting mix + regular feeding = healthy plants. Homemade potting mix recipe:
- 50% coco coir or composted green waste
- 30% well-rotted compost
- 20% perlite or pumice for drainage
Feed every 7–14 days with a balanced NPK liquid fertilizer for vegetables; add calcium if blossom end rot appears on tomatoes.
Pests & Common Problems
Monitor regularly. Start with low-toxicity treatments and cultural controls.
- Aphids: blast off with water + introduce ladybugs or use neem oil.
- Fungal issues: improve airflow, avoid overhead watering; use copper/mancozeb if severe.
- Yellowing leaves: check watering and nutrient deficiency (nitrogen or magnesium).
Resources & Further Reading
Starter Plan (30 days)
30-day action plan to get from zero to harvest-ready microgreens or herbs.
- Day 1–3: Choose site, gather containers and potting mix.
- Day 4–7: Sow microgreens & herbs; keep seeds moist and in light.
- Day 8–20: Thin seedlings, set up vertical support if needed.
- Day 21–30: First harvest of microgreens; transition other crops to regular feeding.
FAQ
How much sun do vegetables need?
Most vegetables need 4–6 hours of direct sun. Leafy greens tolerate partial shade.
Can I use tap water?
Yes, tap water is usually fine. Let it sit for a few hours if heavily chlorinated, or use filtered water for sensitive seedlings.
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