Do you think you can’t exercise your green thumb because you live on a small lot?

You would be incorrect!

Over the past 20 years, urban gardening has grown in popularity, especially now that new home construction sometimes leaves a small yard. However, you don’t need to relinquish your love for fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs because you only have a postage-stamp-sized lawn.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this blog post:

• How to maximize space in your urban garden
• Know your soil’s health
• The exciting world of small-space gardening
• Learn about drip irrigation as a watering solution.

Maximizing Space in Your Urban Garden

If you live in a small space, don’t fret—you can still have a thriving urban garden. Granted, you’ll need to be creative in maximizing your garden space, but it can be done.

Vertical gardening works best for those living in tight quarters. You essentially grow plants upward rather than horizontally. For example, you can purchase a gardening wall kit or create your own using a pallet and add pots or window boxes for plant placement.

You can plant herbs, strawberries, lettuce, and other green leafy vegetables in your vertical garden beds. You can also add flowers for splashes of color and to invite pollinators to your backyard.

Know Your Soil's Health: Urban Soil Revitalization for Thriving City Gardens

If you live in an older home or within a city, you’ll need to be aware of the amount of metals and other toxins in your soil.

Many community and school gardens use raised garden beds, where organic soil can be used without worrying about plants absorbing anything dangerous.

If you can work directly in the soil, ensure healthy dirt by testing your soil. Your local extension can test your soil for you and give you a report that explains what nutrients are missing.


Take your test results to your garden retailer to pick out compost, fertilizer, and mulch. Use only mulch designed for gardens, such as straw. Don’t use landscaping mulch, as it will smother your tender garden plants.

The Exciting World of Small Space Gardening

Plant producers and garden retailers are providing gardening products for smaller spaces. You can also upcycle wood pallets and other secondhand containers.

Consider using containers for your porch or balcony. Many growers produce snackable-size tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, beans, and other veggies that can be grown in a pot.

Additionally, you want dwarf-sized plants that will stay small and compact as they mature. You can find out how compact a plant will be by checking the plant tag or visiting the brand’s website.

Plus, dwarf varieties of your favorite trees and shrubs are available. Look for space in your landscape where dwarf ornamentals would look perfect.

Here is a list of popular dwarf-size shrubs to try in your urban landscape:

• Crape myrtle
• Dwarf Alberta Spruce
• Hydrangea Paniculata Bobo®
• Invincible Limetta Hydrangea
• Little Princess Spirea
• Thuja
• Weigela.

Here is a list of popular dwarf-size flowers, fruits, and vegetables for your small garden:

• Blue Jade Corn
• Dwarf Greek Basil
• Dwarf-size sunflowers, such as Sunspot Dwarf
• Little Gem Butterhead
• Minnesota Midget Cantaloupe
• The Parisian
• Piccolino Basil
• Spacemaster Cucumber
• Tiny Tim Tomato
• Tom Thumb Peas.

Before you plant, wait until there’s no chance of a frost or freeze in your area. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map will tell when the last date for frost is in your area.

Also, follow the plant tags for the amount of sun, water, and soil drainage each plant needs for optimal growth.

While you may have little space, use levels like steps to your balcony to draw the eye to other new plants in your landscape.

Whatever container you choose for your small space, ensure drainage so plant roots won’t die. Here are five gardening containers to consider for your urban space:

1. Wooden planter boxes
2. Plastic self-watering containers
3. Ceramic containers
4. DIY gardening containers, such as a 5-gallon bucket
5. Hanging baskets for strawberries and other low-growing plants
6. Windowboxes make excellent containers for growing herbs and flowers.

 

Drip Irrigation: Watering Solutions for Urban Gardens

Drip irrigation provides water directly to the plants’ roots. Its system consists of a network of pipes or tubes with tiny holes that emit large water droplets at the ground level.

Drip irrigation eliminates runoff, prevents overwatering, and keeps plants healthy. There’s minimal water waste with drip irrigation, and you don’t have to spend hours watering your plants. Plus, you can design your drip irrigation unit to water garden containers, window boxes, and other small gardening areas.

Here are five benefits of installing a drip irrigation kit in your urban garden:

1. You control how much water goes into your urban gardening areas by adjusting watering times and controlling the water supply.
2. There are fewer weeds because the surrounding ground isn’t absorbing excess water. Instead, drip irrigation goes directly to the plant roots.
3. You’ll have healthier plants because water drops aren’t lying on the plant surface, inviting fungal diseases or pests.
4. Drip irrigation kits are perfect for raised beds, vertical gardens, and container gardening.
5. Tree bubblers can be used for any small trees, shrubs, and ground covers in your urban landscape.

Transform Your Urban Garden with K-Rain’s Dripline Kit & Tree Bubblers

If you have a small space in your backyard for an urban garden, you need K-Rain’s Dripline Kit for your container gardens and tree bubblers for your dwarf shrubs and trees.

Explore our sprinkler system products online, or conveniently purchase K-Rain items at The Home Depot and Lowe's.

Find an irrigation contractor through our website for seamless installation services.

Need help with K-Rain products? Contact our customer service team at 800-735-7246 or through our contact form.

Sources:
DripWorks.com, Urban Farming with Drip Irrigation.
MarthaStewart.com, 15 Small-Space Garden Ideas to Help You Make the Most of Your Outdoor Area.
MIGardener.com, 16 Dwarf Fruit and Veggie Varieties for Your Tiny Garden.
TheSpruce.com, Vegetable Container Gardening for Beginners.