Hello, I’m looking to put some hazel shrubs/trees about 3-5’ from my foundation. I initially was going to try to do some epic concrete planter boxes to contain them and do careful soil prep and management and root pruning, but then I thought, “could I put them in the ground if I dropped a 3’ sheet of steel between where I want to plant when and my foundation? Yes, this might be crazy. All gardening is some degree of working with nature and pushing against it, so maybe it’s worth a try?

Zone 8b Oregon

Hey everyone,

I recently adopted a small offshoot from a dead cactus. After the main cactus dried up, it dropped a few little buds, and I decided to plant one. The little guy had been living in poor soil for a while, but I’ve since moved it to a pot with much better, high-drainage soil. It’s been about a month or a month and a half since I last watered it.

Right now, it seems a bit soft to the touch and can’t stand upright on its own. It doesn’t appear to have any roots yet.

Here are my questions:

1. Does it have a chance of surviving in this new setup, or is it too late?

2. If it can still be saved, how deep should I plant it? Will burying it even help at this point?

3. Or, is there another method that might help it root or revive it in some way?

Thanks in advance for any advice or tips!

So my apartment came with a built in flower bed (sorry if that’s not the name, English is not my native language) in the balcony. I was looking for something to plant there and the flower shop lady convinced me to buy some heathers (calluna vulgaris).

While researching, I’ve found out that it needs good drainage, which that flower bed clearly does not have. Would a layer of pebbles be enough? If not, can I keep it indoors in a pot since I already have one available that fits it?

Hi all,

I used to have a wonderful produce garden but have had to downsize to a apartment and balcony a few years ago. I think I'm ready to start the hobby again but a bit out of practice.

My balcony gets morning sun but it is shaded after midday.

I'm interested in edible plants primarily that can be grown in a small space whether on the balcony or indoors. Bonus points for any Australian Native culinary plants I could incorporate into my cooking.

Any ideas on maximising the small space would be great too. I'm not looking to do a complete overhall immediately. I'll just be building my way up to whatever if achievable.

Thanks for any help and ideas in advance 😊

Balcony is about 10m2

I love these lil guys as is but I learned from my plant app today that they will open up & blossom into even more beautiful flowers! Can’t wait! 😃😃

Snail in my herb pot

Hey Urban Gardening Community, I’ve recently started getting into urban gardening and was wondering if anyone has tips on how to find local gardening groups or spaces in my area? I’m trying to connect with others who are into growing their own veggies in the city, but I’m not sure where to start. Also, I just discovered an app called Walby that shows location-based eco-friendly spots, and it looks like you can also add places yourself. Has anyone tried using it for finding or adding urban gardening spots? Could be a way to map out community gardens or green spaces in the city… Would love to hear your thoughts or any other tips on finding urban gardening communities! And another question: Does anybody have experience with Worm composting at home? I‘m interested in your experiences.

Hi Urban Gardeners,

The mods have graciously allowed me to share this.

We're a team of film makers (and I'm also a gardener) that had the idea of shooting a comedy series set in a small community garden in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The show is about a bureaucrat tasked with closing down a community garden to make way for a Casino who, when she discovers that her office is up to some shady business, quits her job and finds herself back in the garden with a mix of quirky characters; there she learns what's really important in her life and takes up the role of trying to prevent her former employee from shutting down the garden for good.

We think that a big hearted comedy series in that world is missing. Think Ted Lasso and gardening, food security, bio diversity themes and more!

This is just a demo/sample, but the more people that watch and share it, the more that we can prove there's an audience that wants to see funny shows with important themes set in our little garden. We'd love your help, feedback, and support so we can create more for you to enjoy.

https://www.facebook.com/61566305333528/videos/404923659311502

Hello! I just finished moving everything from my porch inside for another overnight hurricane, and am once again tempted to give it all away 🤪 The plants, though there are a number and some are quite big pots, aren't in the way much. It is all the plant stands, soil container, many pots, potting stand thingy that sort of holds all the odds and ends when on the porch? I could really use some id--ooooo I just had one for one of the plants that will negate the need for its stand. Anyway!

Ideas for storage solutions for pots and soil and stands that are compact/easy to move? My apartment is already quite small. There is now no room to walk around in it :D

Hi, im from Denmark and thinking about griwing some herbs or chili to start with on my balcony. When do you grow it? Is there a calendar, for balcony growing?

Hey Y’all! I’m trying to find a way to either make or find something I can use as a saucer for this planter box (28” x 9”). I have it on my fire escape and it constantly drips down onto my neighbors (white) outdoor furniture. I’d also like it to conserve some water as it gets a lot of sun and dries out quickly.

I thought about using cardboard + a garbage bag lining as a sort of diy saucer but not super thrilled about that option. I’ve searched online but the trays available are all too thin. Figured I’d post here to see if anyone has ideas. Thank you!!

I am doing a case study and am curious to know any information of the following. It would be helpful if you are able to include the city and/or state you are in--if you're comfortable!

1. How they are maintained?
2. How they are funded?
3. What is the level of involvement with the city government-- are they providing the land, the staff, the maintenance, the programming?
4. What cross-collaboration exists within the city government, community members, non-profits/organizations, extension office, etc. ?
5. What level of involvement does the extension office have?
6. Are they fenced off?
7. Are they on city government-owned properties?
8. Are they in Parks and Recreation spaces? Does Parks and Recreations have any involvement at all?
9. Are plots rented out to individuals and who is responsible for that financial component of the gardens?

Don't feel like you have to respond to every one of these questions, but any information, even to just one question, will be so helpful -- as well as any additional information or questions you think I should be asking.

Thank you!

Edit to add: I am an Urban Agriculture Program Coordinator for a parks and recreation department and we are trying to understand how other cities have successful urban agriculture and community gardens. The Urban Agriculture Program I am leading is new, despite urban agriculture existing here for many many years mostly via extension and community members. I am trying learn how other cities handle urban agriculture and learn from their successes and where things could improve.

I put mint and tomatoes in the same pot due to a lack of space, what do you think?

I’m writing a sort of post-apocalyptic short story that involves a band of folks moving in to an abandoned NFL stadium. The idea would be over the course of years they create a productive oasis of agroforestry on the total available rectangular 1.5 acres.

I’m papering over some technical considerations about the depth/condition of the soil, and treating that ~1.5 acre as good, arable, soil.

So what would you do to maximize the productivity of 1.5 acres? Fruit and Nut trees? Blended with berry bushes and native grasses? I’m a hobby gardener at best and looking for ideas on what the actual, optimal, combination of stuff and educated planner would do in this fantasy scenario.

Fwiw, we’d be about in USDA Zone 8.

We’ve been waiting for the City to plant a tree, but not counting on it happening anytime soon. In the meantime, would love suggestions for some things we can plant this fall to give us some fast and pretty spring-thru-summer color and foliage next year!

Some considerations/criteria:

• we are in zone 7 (NYC)
• tree box gets shade in AM and full direct sun early to late afternoon
• needs to be somewhat low maintenance, aside from weeding and occasional watering
• perennials preferred over annuals
• tolerant of peeing dogs and the occasional rideshare driver who can’t find a bathroom

Thanks!

I dont think this is anyones personal garden its growing out of a random patch of dirt in the parking lot of an auto body shop and theres an old truck backed up directly against it. I thought it was weeds until I walked over it and smelled mint and then I noticed that it actually looked pretty good. And I had been meaning to go to the store to get some because I have a really good watermelon and I wanted to eat watermelon and mint together. Just wondering if I should worry about soil contamination or anything toxic getting into the mint from the ground? Idk