CITY SLICKER GARDENS
I’m what you might call an "Urban Gardener." I enjoy creating vegetable gardens for both looks and as a
alternate food source. The ever increasing cost of food, especially high quality food, was the initial catalyst for my recent gardening efforts. I say recent, but really for the past 5 years I’ve dedicated a large amount of my spare time towards creating an esthetically pleasing garden and produce habitat. My grandpa once told me that produce has to meet certain criteria to be effectively sold. The criteria was; it looked good, had a long shelf life, and it shipped well, but no where on this list was that it needed to taste good! Homegrown veggies are second to none when it comes to flavor, so as my family's chef, having fresh ingredients on hand is one of the biggest benefits of tending a garden. My garden is situated in my side yard as I call it, and is home to a variety of raised beds, large planters, and hanging pots that are integrated with both floral and perennial vegetation. This year I plan on adding even more additions to benefit my fauna, and yard as a whole. Bio-diversity creates more bio-diversity. So by having a variety of plants I'll surely attract other life, making my entire side yard a lively environment to spend time in. Which, this is a good contrast to the concrete and brick that surrounds my city dwelling landscape. Utilizing space is a major consideration when creating an urban garden. Of course a good mulch pile is a necessity and must be factored in, but adding other elements such as a bee box, bird feeders, fruit trees, or even a worm bed could really add to your gardening experience. When maximized, an urban garden can produce vegetables consistently and for a long period of time. This year I produced tomatoes well into December, partly because I made them easy to care for and maintain. When you can simply water on your way in the door from work, your season can get extended. Other planting ideas could be growing in a window, on your porch, balcony, or even roof. Although growing vegetables in containers won't typically yield as much produce as good fertile ground, the supply will still be adequate. There are benefits to growing in containers though. For one, caring and grooming the plants is much easier. In my opinion well groomed vegetables can be just as attractive as flowers. Why can't food be beautiful? Secondly, caring for a large garden can become time consuming. As summer drags on gardens become more susceptible to the changing environment. When using containers be sure to plant in a container that will support your vegetation. Shallow rooted vegetables can easily handle a smaller pot while tomatoes will fair better in something like a whiskey barrel. Always consider drainage when using pots. If it can’t drain the plant will drown. On the same hand, potted plants require more watering so there is a balance to maintain. Some alternative ideas would be planting vegetables in 5 gallon buckets or even hanging pots in some instances. Another benefit to gardening in the metro is that it doesn't take a lot of large equipment. However larger city gardens can be installed and tilled with rental equipment, like tillers, tractors, and discs from GP Rents. As a hunter I’ve always had more of a red thumb than a green one. But, these last few summers have proven to me that growing a vegetable garden that produces quality fruit can be just as rewarding as harvesting wild protein. The satisfaction and benefits from producing your own food and knowing where it’s coming from is endless.
Reed Boettcher - Editor
Juicy Red Tomato: A dew kissed tomato is ripe and ready, and in the month of November no less. Photo By: Reed Boettcher
4
GPL Spring 2022
