The Organic Urban Garden: Growing a Naturally Healthy Garden in the City

When you live in the city, cultivating an organic garden offers many benefits. An organic garden provides an eye-pleasing distraction from the man-made structures of urban living. It can also provide fresh, healthy vegetables for urban apartment, condo and city dwellers. But how does one go about cultivating an organic garden when outdoor space is limited - or non-existent? Cultivating an organic garden with limited space is a lot easier than you might think.

Designate Your Space

If you live in an urban area, your gardening space is undoubtedly limited, so choose wisely. An important part of any organic garden is taking into consideration your intended "crops" strengths and weaknesses. If you have a choice, choose a gardening area that most closely meets your intended plants shade and sunlight requirements. If you don't have a choice of location (for instance, your garden will be in a window box) take this into consideration when choosing the plants you want to cultivate in your urban garden. Read the labels included in each plant carefully. Also, take into account the spacing recommendations for each plant you intend to use. My garden, for instance, is approximately 3' x 2'. Although I have six tomato plants in that space, they have spread and are doing well.

Prepare The Soil

Ideally, your organic urban garden should be in soil that is rich and drains easily. Unfortunately, that's not always the type of soil you have in an urban environment. Adding a bag or two of bagged topsoil to your garden can make all the difference. For an extra boost, purchase a bag or two of Miracle-Gro soil which has plant food already mixed in. Work the soil with a hoe or other tool, depending on the size of the space. This both aerates the soil and allows you to remove large rocks or other debris. After that, you are ready to plant your seeds or transplant your seedlings according to the instructions on each plant.

Encourage Beneficial Little Helpers

The problem with any organic garden, of course, is finding a way to keep bugs from attacking and eating your plants or vegetables. But don't make the mistake of thinking all bugs are out to harm your plants. Encouraging beneficial insects is a great way to keep the bad ones away. If you don't have enough naturally-occurring good insects in your garden, consider introducing some. For instance, lady bugs are garden-friendly insects that feed on aphids and other pests. You can purchase lady bugs (or lady beetles) at Gardens Alive, an organic gardening company.

Explore Other Options

Organic gardening companies offer many different safe and helpful options for keeping your urban organic garden growing strong. In addition to lady beetles for pest control, Gardens Alive offers several other helpful products. Check out the canola-oil based pest deterrents, codling moth traps or beneficial nematodes. There's a lot you can do to keep your garden (naturally) healthy!