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City Gardening

12/18/2014

 
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Today we have a special guest post from Sarah from Pretty Simple Ideas for all of you urban dwellers. Many thanks for liking her Facebook page!


Not everyone has the luxury of living where they are able to plant a garden. I live in a 12-story apartment building a few blocks from the U.S. Capitol building and don’t have one blade of grass to call my own. But that doesn’t mean my green thumb has to whither up and die. City living still provides plenty of opportunities to get your hands in the dirt, and watch something grow.

Community Gardens

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Every city offers some sort of community garden.  In D.C. there are a ton of community gardens, although I read there can be an extensive waiting list after applying for a plot. Unless you live in D.C. too or perhaps New York City, you’ll likely have an easier time acquiring a piece of land. Check out Grassroots of Buffalo or Urban Roots if interested in getting started. Regardless of which city you live in, a quick Google search should help you find one near you.

Indoor Gardens

Now that we are approaching winter, community gardens are not really an option, at least in the Northeast.  This is where we turn indoors and expand out options there. A few weeks ago Laura wrote a great post about houseplants and their benefits. The right indoor plants can boost your health and mind.

Growing your own herbs is another great way to garden when living in a city – and then use the fruit of your labor for delicious dishes and save money, too.   Basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and mint are some of my favorite to grow and use – especially in the fall and winter!

Exotic or Unusual Plants

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I currently have an odd collection of plants growing in my apartment, including a double kalanchoe, orchid and coffee tree plant.  Coffee plants are surprisingly easy to grow and I look forward to continuing to baby my plant until I have a bean! Orchids are tricky, but with the right care really pay off in beauty.  If you have the space you could also be adventurous and try growing a fruit tree. In her backroom, my mom has been growing a lemon, orange and fig tree. 

If you live in a city I hope this gives you hope that you don’t have to give up gardening just because you don’t have any land. And if you don’t live in a city, these are great additions to your home, too!

What plants do you grow indoors? Has anyone ever worked in a community garden? 


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Sarah works in politics in D.C. but in her spare time dreams about being Martha Stewart and discipling women in their faith. You can find her at her blog, www.prettysimpleideas.com 

This post is lined with running with spoons.
20 Comments
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen link
12/18/2014 12:05:35 am

What a great post! I also live right downtown in the city so don't have a personal garden. I've always loved the idea of community gardening and I think one day I'll try it out :) For now, I think I'll stick to nurturing my houseplants! I will have to look into growing a coffee plant - they sound great! Thanks for introducing me to another great blog, Laura! :)

Reply
Laura
12/21/2014 10:27:46 am

Thanks for checking her our Ceara and for stopping by :)

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Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice link
12/18/2014 01:12:07 am

City gardening sounds like such a great alternative to when a backyard doesn't work for a garden. I love the idea of indoor gardening, too. It's sounds like such a great way to start off those plans or herbs before transferring them outside. And I think it's also a great time to get some plants...I need to take advantage of that! Thanks for sharing!

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Laura
12/21/2014 10:28:17 am

Community gardens are awesome!

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Dave
12/18/2014 01:31:25 am

Found you on a food blog, like to cook. Not great at it but I try. From Detroit so i guess that would make me a city gardener. Should get some plants for my kitchen.

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Laura
12/21/2014 10:28:38 am

You should get some plants for your kitchen!

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mira link
12/18/2014 05:31:06 am

I love the idea of city gardening! Great for me since it is pretty cold where I live and my backyard is not too good for gardening !

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Laura
12/21/2014 10:29:26 am

That's a great point, our yard has clay soil, which is partly why we put in raised beds. Stuff just didn't know well there! So even if you have a yard, it doesn't mean it will work well for a garden.

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Jenn @ EngineerMommy link
12/18/2014 08:33:53 am

I plan on getting back into gardening soon. Thanks for sharing this!

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Laura
12/21/2014 10:29:53 am

Good for you Jenn! I enjoyed checking out your blog.

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Jill
12/18/2014 10:28:17 am

Saw you on another garden blog and noted that you grow succulents? Maybe we can touch base through email? Just had a question or two.

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Laura
12/21/2014 10:30:26 am

Yes, email me. Would love to chat about succulents. Enjoy them.

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annie@ciaochowbambina link
12/18/2014 11:35:12 pm

I love the idea of growing herbs...I'm going to pass that one on to my girls. Actually...you've just given me an idea for a Christmas present! Thank you!!

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Laura
12/21/2014 10:31:02 am

Christmas is coming way too quick Annie, hope you're almost done with shopping :)

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Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy link
12/19/2014 12:23:01 am

I think community gardens are such a great idea. We live in the city, but we are lucky that we have a garden big enough to grow things.

Great tips though. I am going to share this on twitter :)

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Laura
12/21/2014 10:31:29 am

Thanks again for the share Dannii, I really do appreciate it!!

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Lori @TheHealthMinded.com link
12/19/2014 08:56:26 am

Community gardens offer so much! I always smile when I pass them by and see everyone working away in their patch and they all seem to have a good time together! So important to play in the dirt a bit even if you are an urban dweller!

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Laura
12/21/2014 10:32:11 am

Yes, and the garden keeps you outside and active (both mind and body) both of which as you know from your wonderful blog are vital!

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Ashley link
12/20/2014 01:24:58 pm

We used to live in DC and I always thought about looking into the community gardens! They are such a wonderful idea!

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Laura
12/21/2014 10:32:47 am

D.C. is so fun to visit....but I don't think I could live there ;)

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    Hi, I'm Laura and hail from Buffalo, NY. I consider myself a lifelong learner who loves gardening with a 360 degree view. Thanks for stopping by!
    Laura Sproull

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