Agriculture is an aspect of life that has been necessary to the survival of humankind; the food we eat is the product of agriculture. Agriculture can be grouped into two main categories: animal cultivation and plant cultivation.
Recently, many people have been trying their hands at one form of agriculture. Although animal rearing can be challenging in our urban neighborhoods, urban gardens are more realistic options.
With the proper guidance, you can start a lovely little garden in your backyard. We have prepared all you need to know about urban farming in this post, and we’re sure you will be growing your own fresh food in no time. Get ready to learn the secrets of backyard urban gardening.
What is Urban Gardening?
Urban gardening refers to cultivating plants in developed areas or urban environments. The specific concept of urban gardening is not well known; many people are involved in it without knowing what it’s called.
Different things can affect urban gardening, such as the soil type, space, and weather.
What is Backyard Urban Gardening?
As we said earlier, urban gardening is cultivating plant life in urban areas or cities. From this definition, we can define backyard urban gardening as the cultivation of plants in the comfort of your backyard.
Growing plants in the backyard is widespread and advisable for several reasons. As long as you have a backyard, you can easily convert it into a garden and start enjoying fresh, homegrown vegetables and fruits.
There are different ideas you can incorporate when starting your backyard garden. If you do it right, the garden can be more than just a growing location; it can also be an aesthetic addition to your home.
In this post, we want to enlighten you about backyard urban gardening, including the steps to start, methods you can employ, and different ideas for your garden.
Starting a Backyard Urban Garden
If you’re looking to start a garden in your backyard, these steps have been broken down to assist you.
Planning
The first mistake rookies make is poor planning. You can’t expect your garden to turn out well if you start planting without making plans. There are different factors you must consider before thinking of planting, and one of these factors is space.
Let’s look at some of the things you have to plan.
Space
The space in your backyard is a primary factor to consider before you can start planting. The amount of space in the backyard will determine the design of your garden, the types of tools you can use, and the general layout of the garden.
If you have enough space in your backyard, you can grow different plants in the ground. On the other hand, if you don’t have sufficient space, there are other options you can adopt to maximize plant growth. Here are some planting options for you:
In Ground
Planting directly in the ground is the most common garden option. If your house has a large backyard, it will be easy for you to plan your garden with in-ground cultivation. In-ground planting is one of the easiest, and it doesn’t require a lot of technical know-how.
Note that you need to be careful about in-ground planting because some apartments and homeowner’s association rules prohibit the growth of plants on the property. Before you start your in-ground garden, ensure that you’re not breaking your lease agreement.
Flower Pots
The use of flower pots is a reasonable alternative to in-ground planting. Flower pots are easy to set up, and you can grow anything within them. If you don’t have enough space or the soil in your backyard isn’t fertile, a flower pot will come in handy.
Also, flower pots are a great way to get past rules that stop you from growing plants directly in the ground. Since you’re growing the plants in the pots, you are clear of any possible accusations and can have a great time tending your garden.
However, there are chances that you will need to get larger pots as the plants increase in size. If the pot is too small, it can choke the roots and cause your plants to die.
Hanging Baskets
Hanging baskets are great for those with very little space in their backyards. Hanging baskets are independent of ground space and add an aesthetic touch to your backyard. With these hanging baskets, you can grow a lovely garden that is free of the ground, doesn’t break any house rules, and adds beauty to your backyard walls.
Note that you are not limited to one of these, especially if you have enough space in your backyard. You can adopt all three methods when planning your garden, and you will be impressed by the results.
Research And Decisions
Space isn’t the only thing that should be included in your plan. There are other essential factors you need to consider, such as soil type. Before you start planting, we recommend you do detailed research on your area.
Your research will go a long way in determining what you will grow and how you will grow it. Your research should include your soil type, the weather, and other environmental factors affecting your plant growth.
This research stage is important because this is how you’ll know what can grow in your backyard. Don’t assume a plant will grow in your garden because it grew in other people’s gardens.
Aside from the soil type and other environmental factors, you must research what plants can grow in your backyard. You can get information online or take a soil sample to your local garden store.
If what you want to grow is not compatible with your soil, you can research other methods to grow the plant successfully.
Draw a Plan
As basic as this might sound, an illustrated plan will make it easier for you to start the garden. We recommend drawing out an image of how you want your garden to be because it will make it more realistic, and you can easily refer to the drawing when you start.
If you draw out a plan, it will be easier to bring that plan to actualization, and your garden will turn out neater. The plan doesn’t have to be an exceptional drawing; it is just a sketch to keep you on track.
Growing Crops in Your Backyard
Once you’ve properly planned the outline of your garden, you can start growing the plants of your choice.
Avoid planting only one type of crop unless you intend to sell or give them out. If you plant only one crop, you’ll be left with a lot when it’s time to harvest, and you will waste your produce.
Try planting a variety of crops. You can start with cucumbers, tomatoes, and greens. We recommend mixing plants that mature fast, like radishes, and slow-growing plants like lettuce.
Plants You Can Grow All Year
One great thing about having a farm in your backyard is enjoying a constant supply of fresh food all year. Here are examples of some crops you can grow in different seasons:
Spring Crops
Beans, pumpkins, potatoes, and eggplant
Fall Crops
Garlic, beets, cabbage, and kale.
Summer Crops
Cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, and leafy greens.
Winter Crops
Brussels sprouts, carrots, and cabbage.
Conclusion
Having a small garden in your home is a great idea, and you can enjoy fresh fruits. Urban gardening is becoming a trend, and it is an idea that should be encouraged with enthusiasm.
If you want to start your backyard urban gardening, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve given you an insight into how to start an urban garden in your backyard, and we have more tips for you.
