Basil
For the past few years I have been operating my makeshift farm and vermicompost center solely off of my balcony, with help from our favorite CSA. This year, I was taken off of the wait list and now have a 4 x 8 raised bed at an urban farm with multiple raised compost heaps and a community working together to sustain a garden and a way of life.
But what is an “urban farm“?
Wikipedia defines urban farming as “the practice of cultivating, processing and distributing food in, or around a village, town or city. Urban agriculture in addition can also involve animal husbandry, aquaculture, agro-forestry and horticulture.”
To me, urban farming is our chance to become more self-sufficient. It’s a chance to get outdoors and share a passion with others in your community, a chance to save our food scraps from a landfill and create compost. And it’s a chance to share the fruits or vegetables of your labors with others
While my 4x 8 plot of land is growing my balcony garden continues to be very important for migrating birds and other neighborhood creatures. Our butterfly bush has brought visiting monarch butterflies and swallowtails to our balcony to feed. A morning dove couple can be found relaxing in our orange planters while baby robins search for worms in our compost bin!
Praying Mantis on our Window
So even if all you have is a balcony, or even a window , you can begin your own urban farm. Below you’ll find information from my balcony endevors and helpful urban farming links. Good Luck!
The balcony is a windy, full sun, southern exposure. The following is a small list of vegetables, herbs and plants and their pot sizes that we have grown with success. We hope that everyone will utilize the space they are given to start their own farm/garden.
Perennials:
Green Ischia Fig Tree 16″pot
- After all leaves fell from tree(November-ish), brought in and kept in an unheated attached garage upstate covered by a cardboard box.
Butterfly Bush 18″
- Brought indoors in November and kept in an unheated attached garage upstate covered by a cardboard box.
Chives 8″
- Survived outdoors covered with mulch
Mint 8″
- Survived outdoors covered with mulch
English Thyme 8″
- Survived outdoors covered with mulch
Strawberry 8″
- Survived outdoors covered with mulch
Lavender 8″
- Didn’t make it, pot too small, not adequate drainage
Annuals:
Cherry tomato 10″
Grape tomato 10″
Tomatillo 10″
Jalapeño 10″
Italian Large Leaf Basil 8″
Cilantro 8″
Chicago Urban Farming Links:
Advocates for Urban Agriculture
