Small apartments, crowded condos, and urban highrises can boast big city amenities and a country garden.
All it takes is a willingness to think inside the box. A windowsill garden box, that is. Bring edible nature into your home no matter where you live, and enjoy the eco-friendly benefits of gardening even in the middle of one of the world’s biggest cities.
Beginning Urban Gardeners Start Small
Herbs are the easiest and most rewarding way to start a windowsill garden. Oregano, thyme, mint, and parsley are the best if you’re still discovering your green thumb.
- Repurpose something you have in the house for a unique plant for your herbs. Container should be at least 4” x 6” and fit on your windowsill.
- Grow herbs on a southern facing window so they get at least 5 hours of daily sun.
- Water them until soil is slightly damp, and keep them that way.
- Trim often and enjoy what you trim off in your meals!
Intermediate Urban Gardeners Go a Little Bigger
Microgreens such as sprouts and lettuce variations can be grown indoors, even in the smallest apartment. They’re a natural progression for the urban herb farmer, and they make a wonderful nutritious source of protein, vitamins, and minerals.
- Fill a 9” x 7” plastic container with potting soil and sprinkle seeds. Add drainage holes in the bottom of your container. Repurposing takeout containers are a great way to keep your garden green.
- Gently pat potting soil over the seeds and water (gently) until soil is damp.
- Place container in southern facing window for light.
- Keep soil moist and pour out the run off collected through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container.
- Seeds should sprout within 14-20 days after planting. Trim just above the soil line and add to salads, sandwiches, or eat by the handful for an oomph of vitamins.
Advanced Urban Gardeners Bring the Country into the Kitchen
If you’re ready to move on to bigger harvests, turn to resources like Window Farms, a city dwellers How To for growing crops in the middle of your apartment. Artists Britta Riley and Rebecca Bray developed Window Farms to provide vertical, hydroponic, modular, low-energy, high-yield growing methods for window gardens. They focus on eco-friendly materials so they always use low-impact or recycled local materials. They suggest—and offer construction tips—for a drip system made from recycled water bottles. Their model nurtured 25 plants, among them: beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, arugula, basil, lettuce and kale. Turn your living space into farmland with their step by step instruction
Brag about your windoswill garden on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Post photos, take video, and share recipes with our green living community.
Inspire us with the ways you’re bringing nature into your home or workspace!
