The urban garden is a very powerful tool both for the improvement of urban environments and the quality of the environment and crops. However, many people do not know what to plant in an urban garden and how they should start. If you are new to this environment, it is important to know the properties and cultivation characteristics of some of the most well-known vegetables.
For this reason, we are going to dedicate this article to telling you what to plant an urban garden, what its characteristics and recommendations are.
What to plant in an urban garden
Some vegetables add flavor to many foods and dishes, and are great to plant in an urban garden. Here is a list of the most common vegetables to grow in your urban garden.
Onion
The onion is a vegetable that does not require much care. It can survive in poor conditions and does not need to be watered frequently, but it should be watered regularly. While the onion plant is forming a bulb, it is better to water the plant less often, as this will help it dry out better. It does not need a very rich substrate, but it does need a large amount of substrate.
Onions can be sown in late winter or early fall and will be harvested 4 months later.
Tomatoes
Drip irrigation is the best method of watering plants, rather than over-watering them multiple times. Rather, watering should be done frequently in small amounts. The substrate needs a very rich soil, so you will have to add compost or worm castings to your soil, in addition to providing a large amount of substrate.
The tomato season extends from winter to early spring, and grows to be ready for harvest in about 3 months.
Lettuce
Water must be added frequently and in large quantities to the soil when watering. Lettuce is a crop that needs a substrate with a high amount of organic matter. Lettuce can be grown throughout most of the year, except in the coldest winter months. It is harvested 3 to 9 weeks later, depending on the variety.
Garlic
Garlic doesn't need a lot of water and can be grown without irrigation if the weather is dry enough. In some climates, no irrigation is needed at all. The substrate does not require much care, since it has many nutrients. It is planted and cultivated throughout the winter, and then harvested about three months later.
What to plant in an urban garden: aromatic plants
Some of the great smelling herbs that can be grown in an urban garden include:
- Parsley is a key ingredient in the Mediterranean diet, and has many properties and uses. Parsley can be grown in almost any type of soil because it doesn't need a lot of nutrients. It needs a lot of sun and irrigation and can be planted in spring or summer, producing a 10 cm tall stem after 3 months.
- Basil is a plant that prefers rich, loose soil containing a lot of organic material. It can be grown in both semi-shade and full sun. Basil should be watered frequently but not excessively, and should be harvested before it reaches 20 centimeters in height.
- Thyme requires good drainage and needs to be in direct sun all day. Don't add too much organic matter to the soil and don't put fertilizer on the soil. Water the thyme only moderately and don't let the soil get too wet. Thyme is planted in late winter and can be harvested when needed for cooking.
- Mint grows best in moist soil, even if the soil does not have good drainage. It requires little light, but needs to be watered frequently. The best time to plant mint is in spring, so you can harvest its tender shoots in summer.
- Rosemary is a shrub that requires a lot of sunlight and needs loose, well-draining soil. It can be sown and harvested all year round, but if you want to use it to cook infusions, it is better to do it when the plant is in flower.
- Lavender can grow in almost any type of soil. and, in fact, it can live for a long time (even years) without being watered. Lavender only needs occasional watering when first planted, and can be grown in the spring once the cold weather has passed. Lavender can be harvested each spring after the second bloom by pruning the flowers from the stems.
What to plant in an urban garden in summer
Zucchini
Zucchini is loved by many for its ability to be used in many recipes. When grown in an urban garden, it can be a successful vegetable. Zucchini is planted in early spring and harvested in summer. Zucchini need plenty of sun, water, and compost to grow big and healthy.
Beet
Beets, radishes, turnips, and carrots are some vegetables that can be planted in the summer for harvest in the fall. Carrots and turnips should be spaced about 30 cm apart in soil rich in organic matter and with good drainage. Radishes and beets should be soaked overnight before planting, and both can have germination problems. Too much irrigation can cause problems when growing beets. Plant the seeds in a spot that receives direct sun. You will be able to pick the plants 9 to 10 weeks after planting.
Radishes
Radishes can be grown any time of the year and are another easy crop. They should be planted in soil that is rich in organic matter and must be very moist at all times. It can be grown in a pot, as long as the pot is at least 20 cm deep. Plant the radishes in a spot that gets a lot of sun and water them in the evening. You will be able to pick them 20-25 days after planting them.
Carrots
Carrots can be planted in the summer. Carrot seeds should be planted 10-15 centimeters apart and 30 centimeters deep. The soil must be loose and capable of holding water, and should be planted in a shaded area, where they are not in direct sun during the hottest part of the day. Carrots can be grown between 10 and 110 days, depending on the variety. You have to water them regularly.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about what to plant in an urban garden and what the characteristics of crops are.