Do you want to plant a garden, but don't think you can becasue you live in an urban area in Albuquerque? Why not look into the growing trend of urban gardening?
There are two broad definitions of urban gardening. A community garden might be the first option. In urban areas, many nonprofits and neighborhood organizations will launch community gardens where people can grow their own food and share the produce.
For our purposes, we're discussing container gardening. Even a small garden is beneficial for urban residents, such as those living in smaller homes or townhomes in Albuquerque. Growing vegetables, herbs, and other plants is a great way to get fresh air, as well as getting fresh produce. A sense of accomplishment can also come from container gardening, which is good for your mental health.
Starting out, you should know the following.
Available Space
You'll need some space for a container garden if you live in an urban area in Albuquerque.
Several options are available to you.
Some condos and townhouses have in-ground outdoor spaces. Ensure that you can plant a small garden with your board or HOA.
You can also use flower pots or hanging baskets, which are portable, so you can put them on a balcony or patio, and if necessary, move them inside.
Hydroponic gardening is another trendy trend for urban dwellers right now. Self-fertilizing stands and self-watering stands are offered by some creative companies, so you can grow your own food. You will need to add water and nutrients to the reservoir weekly if you choose this option. In addition, you'll need to keep the pH at a suitable level. The gardens go upward rather than out, so you save valuable floor space, which can be crucial in limited spaces.
Decide What You’ll Grow
There are some things that are better suited to container and urban gardening than others. For example, herbs are great, like mint, basil and sage.
Containers are also suitable for lettuce and tomatoes of different types.
With a hydroponic gardening kit, you can often find pre-sprouted seedlings that include cucumbers, eggplants, and even strawberries. Peppers such as bell peppers, jalapenos, and habaneros do well in limited spaces. Squash and zucchini are suitable for balcony gardens, but don't overplant them because they can end up producing pounds of vegetables. You might like the look of cumbers and vines that grow around your balcony as they spread.
Don't plant too many plants in one container if you're not using a hydroponic kit. You may stunt your plants' growth if you plant too much. Three to four plants can usually be accommodated in a pot that's 10-12 inches wide. A pot with a diameter of 14 to 16 inches can hold five to seven plants, and a pot with a diameter of 16 to 20 inches can hold six to nine.
You want to make sure each of the plants you choose will be a good neighbor to the others when you're choosing what to grow. Some plants will suffer if you combine them in the same pot with plants that require different amounts of sunlight.
Drainage
Drill drainage holes if your potted plants do not already have them if you're growing them in pots. To catch the excess drainage water, you'll also need to place something below the container.
Light
Finally, you'll need to consider sunlight when planning an urban or container garden. Herbs and fruiting vegetables especially need between 7 and 12 hours of sunlight a day. It might be better to grow something that tolerates shade, like spinach or chard, if you can't get that much light.
You should carefully read the seed packets or tags, and keep them in case you need to refer back to them later. A plant that says it needs full sun needs between 6 and 8 hours of sun daily. A plant with partial sun gets between 4 and 6 hours of sun each day, while one with shade receives filtered sunlight the rest of the time.
If you’re going to move your containers inside during the winter, you can use plant grow lights, which simulate the effects of the sun and are excellent in an urban environment.
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