Urban Cultivation Plants: 8 Food-Bearing Species for City Gardens
Small urban gardens can be a haven for fresh produce, even with limited space. By choosing the right plants, gardeners can enjoy a bountiful harvest while enhancing the aesthetic appeal of their urban spaces.
Leafy Greens, Root Vegetables, and Compact Fruiting Plants
Cherry tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, strawberries, kale, Swiss Chard, lettuce, microgreens, beets, and carrots are all suitable options for small gardens. These plants can thrive in containers or limited spaces with varied light conditions.
Cherry tomatoes, for instance, can be grown in pots and moved around during the day to keep them in the sun. New hybrid blueberry varieties like North Country or Top Hat are perfect for container growing, providing colourful fruits and ornamental value. Beets, fast-growing and delicious, offer both beet roots and beet greens for harvest. Container grown beets can be cropped multiple times in a season.
Swiss Chard, with its beautiful ruffled leaves that come in deep, lovely colours with contrasting ribs and veins, is another good choice for urban gardens. It is easy to grow and can be harvested leaf by leaf all season long.
Trailing Edibles and Herbs
Sweet Potato Vine, a trailing plant, thrives in full sun but tolerates partial shade. Its vibrant purple, green, or copper leaves add decorative value alongside edible tubers. Basil, chives, and parsley grow well in small pots with full to partial sun, are low-maintenance, and contribute attractive foliage as well as fresh seasoning for meals.
Companion Planting for Pest Control
Garlic coexists happily with beets and deters beet pests like aphids and armyworms. Nasturtium, summer savory, and rosemary are plants that can be grown beneath beans, as they help keep down beetles that can damage beans.
Ornamental Value
Many edible plants also serve as ornamental assets through vibrant leaves, flowers, or trailing growth. For example, Meyer lemon tree needs a sunny location and well-draining soil, but doesn't require frequent watering. Its delicate citrus blossoms add to its ornamental value. Rosemary, a perennial herb, produces lovely indigo flowers and has a delightful aroma.
Suitable for Small Spaces
Potted rosemary can be a great addition to an urban garden, providing aromatic needles all year long. Potted green beans can grow well in raised beds or vertically in narrow, tall spaces. Beans can replace nitrogen in the soil, making them a useful addition to any garden. Cherry tomatoes can be one of the best edible plants for vertical gardens.
In summary, when selecting plants, consider matching their light needs (full sun vs. partial shade) to your garden’s sun exposure, using containers with appropriate depth and drainage, choosing soil rich in organic matter, and accommodating your region’s climate (e.g., cooler greens, heat-tolerant fruits). Many edible plants also serve as ornamental assets, making them ideal for enhancing small urban spaces.
Summary Table
| Plant Type | Examples | Light Requirements | Soil Type | Weather/Temperature | Ornamental Value | |----------------------|------------------------------|----------------------------|----------------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------| | Leafy Greens | Kale, Swiss Chard, Lettuce | Full sun to partial shade | Well-drained, fertile | Cooler to mild climates | Colorful leaves, variegated stems | | Root Vegetables | Beets, Carrots | Moderate to full sun | Deep, loose, fertile | Cooler temperatures preferred | Bright roots and lush tops | | Compact Fruiting | Cherry Tomatoes, Peppers | Full sun | Well-drained, rich | Warm, stable | Colorful fruits and flowers | | Trailing Edibles | Sweet Potato Vine | Full sun to partial shade | Moist, well-drained | Prefers higher moisture | Cascading colorful foliage | | Herbs | Basil, Chives, Parsley | Full to partial sun | Well-drained | Moderate | Attractive aromatic foliage |
