Back to Basics: Beginner tips for starting an urban garden

I'm new to this organic/sustainable gardening thing and I'm still finding my own way but I thought it would be nice to post about a few basic and cheap things that anyone can do to start their own garden.

1. Start Composting!
    Compost is a super cheap and healthy alternative to commercial potting soil mixes. While at the advanced levels some farmers and gardeners prefer to add special nutrients to their soil, it really isn't necessary if you are just starting out. Some of the benefits of composting on your own includes always having a supply of potting soil for planting, reducing your impact on the planet by recycling organic waste and lastly, a cheap supply of good soil that you can use to repair your yard. Here are some instructions for starting a basic vermicomposting (composting using worms) bin of your own:

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Useful green living sites

Today I wanted to post a few useful sites that I think everyone interested in sustainability should check out. Besides gardening sites quite a few have to do with sustainable design and building (in no particular order of preference):

http://www.thedailygreen.com/

Daily Green focuses on green living trends but it has some pretty fun posts and useful information although it is not as in depth as it could be.  Check it out if you are interested in buying green products more than learning to make your own. Their blog roll also lists some of the best green living and sustainability sites I’ve heard of.

http://permaculture-media-download.blogspot.com/

This blog has a little bit of everything: give aways, gardening, education and more. It is extremely in depth and also features some excellent interviews. Check it out if you want to learn more about permaculture.

http://webecoist.com

Webecoist, a blog from the same folks who brought me my favorite design blog (dornob), is a sort of best of/list blog with pictures. It is a vast store house of images and links and should definitely be in your bookmarks.

http://ofrf.org

The website of the Organic Farming and Research Foundation sponsors organic farming research, education & outreach projects.

http://www.urbanorganicgardener.com

This is one of my favorite sites and one of the few I check faithfully. The guy who writes this fun instructional blog originally started his first urban garden on a fire escape in the middle of New York. He has since moved but still lives in relatively small apartments and faithfully documents his adventures growing food in planters.

http://planetgreen.discovery.com

This is the green living related section of the discovery TV shows website. Pretty cool, mostly science related info like research, studies and more.

http://www.gardening-guides.com/index.php

Basic gardening how-tos for the rest of us (ie: the ones with black thumbs or unwitting plant assassins). Easy to follow, clear instructions, general gardening info on everything from flowers to exotic decorative plants. Not a very good liking site though, if that matters to you.

http://www.dinnergarden.org/index.html

This site is another gardening site, but strictly devoted to all things food-growing related. Very good info on safe/natural fertilizers and pesticides as well as recipes. Another one of my faves, particularly because of their focus on education and out reach.

http://www.earthshiphomes.info/

This blog is NOT the original earthship site (you can find the original at earthship.net) but it does give readers a more in depth look at how an earth ship is designed, as well as having videos of the actual building process for those who want to learn.

Please tell me about any sites you like or think I should check out by leaving a comment below.

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15 foods that are safe to buy

Check out the Daily Green’s post on 15 foods low in pesticides so you won’t need to buy organic. 

This sweet little list lets you know what is safe to buy at your local grocery if you can't afford organic produce (like me!). Ideally you are already growing them in your own garden but in case you aren’t, these plants are safer to buy:

http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/eat-safe/Save-on-Sustainable-Gallery-44032808?src=syn&mag=tdg&dom=tdg&link=rel

While you're at it you should also check out the rest of the Daily Green. It's a pretty awesome site. And in the meantime, try picking up some of these seeds to grow. You never know when you can use the fruits in your kitchen, plus the plants are freezable and cannable as well as organic, and delicious! (My enthusiasm is cheesy, I know ;D)

       

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