Starting Urban Permaculture: How to Create a Sustainable Garden in the City

Permaculture is a sustainable and holistic approach to gardening that aims to create a self-sustaining ecosystem that produces food and other resources. While permaculture is often associated with rural areas, it’s also possible to create a permaculture garden in an urban environment. In fact, urban permaculture is becoming increasingly popular as more people seek to grow their own food and reduce their environmental impact. Here are some tips for starting your own urban permaculture garden. We started small with one little planter box, and now we have a huge garden! Read on to learn more ways you can get started today!

Assess Your Space

The first step in starting an urban permaculture garden is to assess your space. Consider the amount of sunlight your space receives, the type of soil you have, and the size of your space. Even small spaces like balconies and rooftops can be used to create a permaculture garden. Think creatively about how you can make the most of your space, whether that means using vertical space, creating raised beds, or using containers.

Choose Your Plants

When choosing plants for your urban permaculture garden, look for plants that are well-suited to your climate and soil type. Consider planting a mix of annual and perennial plants, including fruit trees, shrubs, and vegetables. In permaculture, diversity is key, so aim to plant a mix of plants that support each other and create a self-sustaining ecosystem.

Incorporate Companion Planting

Companion planting is a technique that involves planting different plants together that have mutually beneficial relationships. For example, planting marigolds with tomatoes can help repel pests, while planting beans with corn can help fix nitrogen in the soil. Incorporating companion planting into your permaculture garden can help create a healthier and more sustainable ecosystem.

Build Healthy Soil

Healthy soil is the foundation of any successful permaculture garden. In urban areas, the soil is often depleted or contaminated, so it’s important to build healthy soil by adding organic matter, compost, and other soil amendments. You can also consider using raised beds or container gardens filled with healthy soil to ensure that your plants have the nutrients they need to thrive. Here at Hogs and Hens Urban farm, we use a mixture of raised beds, and planting directly in the ground. In both cases, we are very careful to build strong and healthy soil.

Use Sustainable Practices

Permaculture is all about sustainability, so it’s important to use sustainable practices in your garden. This includes using organic fertilizers and pesticides, conserving water, and reducing waste. You can also incorporate sustainable practices like rainwater harvesting, composting, and using recycled materials in your garden. We make it a point to reduce, reuse, and recycle as much as possible. Many of the projects here at Hogs and Hens are created using reclaimed materials. Get creative with ways to reduce your single use item purchases!

Continuously Learn and Adapt

Permaculture is a lifelong learning process, so be prepared to continuously learn and adapt as you create your garden. Join a local permaculture group, attend workshops and conferences, and read books and blogs to learn more about permaculture and how to apply it in an urban environment. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things, and be open to adapting your garden as needed. Be sure to find us on Facebook and ask any questions you may have along the way. We’ve found that learning by networking has been a game changer for our farm!

In conclusion, starting an urban permaculture garden is a great way to create a sustainable and self-sustaining ecosystem in the city. By assessing your space, choosing the right plants, incorporating companion planting, building healthy soil, using sustainable practices, and continuously learning and adapting, you can create a beautiful and productive permaculture garden that supports both you and the environment.