Living in the city and growing your own food might seem like opposites to you, but they are actually two very interconnected pursuits. By growing a city garden, you can provide healthy, pesticide-free produce for your family while engaging in a fun, fresh-air activity.
Think you don’t have room? Container gardens in pots of various sizes can hold several types of vegetation. Tomatoes, beans, strawberries, and herbs grow well in containers. If you have yard space, remove the sod (and call the public utilities department for information on composting) or grass. Add topsoil or compost to turn the area into a growing environment. Some neighbors choose to use the area between their homes into shared gardens. Seattle also hosts an Urban Garden Share if you are unable to find an acceptable place to garden.
Not sure what to plant? Go to the local garden shop or greenhouse and ask the knowledgeable employees. Be sure to let them know whether you are using containers, what kind of space you have, the amount of sun the area receives each day, and any other factors that could impact the plants. They will be able to make recommendations based on your conditions.
If you prefer to make your own choices, you still need to know your garden conditions, especially the hours of sunlight. Peruse the aisles and check the information tags that are included with each plant. These tags contain detailed information about the best time for planting, planting conditions, and requirements for sun, water, and soil.
Watering is dependent on weather and plant conditions. Again, those tags come in very handy. Summer plants will require water more often, as will those in containers. Water early in the morning or in the evening so that the water doesn’t evaporate quickly rather than feeding your plants.
Remember that flower gardens can include vegetables and fruits. The plants are attractive and when bearing fruit they add a pop of edible color! In fact, a decorative trellis in landscaping can provide support for squash, grapes, tomatoes, or other fruits and vegetables that grow on vines. They grow upwards and take up less space as well.
Because Seattle has a climate that stays above freezing in the winter, once your garden is prepared, you can plan to plant year-round. Winter crops are generally greens like kale. You may need to cover some plants to help retain some warmth for growing.
If you don’t plan to garden during the winter months, compost your plants and cover the soil with a winter mulch of fall leaves to protect it for spring. You can compost your old plants with leaves and grass to enrich the soil in the spring for your garden.
Living in the city of Seattle doesn’t mean you are chained to a grocer for your produce. Start your own garden or contact the department of public utilities for the Garden Hotline for information on getting started. Gardening is great for relaxation, fresh air, activity, and healthy eating. Enjoy!
