URBAN FARM AND GARDEN

¹farm

noun,\ˈfärm\

: a tract of land devoted to agricultural purposes

: a plot of land devoted to the raising of animals and especially domestic livestock

: an area of land and its buildings used for growing crops and rearing animals

¹garden
noun \ˈgär-d^ən\

: a piece of ground, often near a house, used for growing flowers, fruit, or vegetables.
: a container (as a window box) planted with usually a variety of small plants.

It doesn't take a lot to have a healthy, earth-conscious life-style. No big tractors, no acres and acres of land and the cost can fit your budget if planned right.

We live in the 'mid-town' part of our city, not too close to uptown/downtown, but close enough to bike or walk to restaurants and events. The part of town we live in has an abundance of green and the are is surrounded by hundred-year-old trees . We live off one of the main streets in the city but most of the time you'd never know it. We are fortunate to have a small but nice backyard -just big enough to have several small gardens and a chicken coop, and room for a couple of big dogs to run around. It's a great neighborhood. Perfect for us and our life style. In a way we have the best of both worlds...small town in the middle of a big city.  I am definitely a city girl with city-girl ways so I don't think I could survive real country life on a farm!  But there is no reason why I can't bring some of the farm to the city.  We have been growing our own veggies, composting and kitchen composting for quite a while.  What we grow ourselves far surpasses what we can by at a market, especially in taste. Plus we know it's healthy, cared for and loved (especially the chickens)! What we can't get from our backyard we try to get locally - farmers markets, locally owned restaurants and shops, natural and organic food stores. If we do have to go to a chain grocery store then we are very careful about what we buy.  We read labels!!!

You don't need a BIG red tractor or acres and acres of land to grow vegetables, raise a small flock of chickens and live healthier. If you live in the city and want to have healthy food and healthier lifestyle it can be done...with a little planning and NOT a lot of money.

• A few tips for starting your own urban farm or garden:

• Keep it simple.

• Plant what you love.

•  See what your neighbors are growing.

• Grow what you can't buy.

• BE CREATIVE  in planning the beds.

• Follow the sun, even if it means planting squash or a few tomatoes in front yard. Some veggies are beautiful and have gorgeous green unique shaped leaves

• You can plant down the side of a driveway.

• be adventurous …purple potatoes?

• Outline just a small area that gets good sun and start digging.

• Go vertical in smaller places

Once you have decided what you want to grow do your research! Talk to nurserymen in your area - they should be knowledgeable as to what grows well in your climate zone, the care the plants need, etc. Talk to your neighbors about their gardening  successes. Search the Internet!!!!

Liz-