How To Start An Urban Farm Or Community Garden

I’m a gardener. I’ve had my hands in the dirt since I was a little kid. It’s more than just a hobby—it’s a part of who I am. That’s why it pains me to see people treat gardening as an unattainable pastime, or even as a chore. But here’s the thing: As long as you have access to soil, water, and sunlight, you can garden anywhere (and yes, that includes your apartment; more on that later). Even if you’re not sure where to begin, there are plenty of resources out there to help get you started (both online and in your own community). Here are some top tips for getting those seedlings planted (and reaping the benefits) no matter where you live:

Take a class.

• Take a class at a local community garden. If you are interested in starting an urban farm or community garden, then I suggest taking a class at your neighborhood community garden or urban farm. You can find out when and where these classes are being held by contacting the organization that is hosting it. Most of them will also give you information about how to apply for membership if they do not offer open enrollment classes (i.e., no reservations required).
• Take a class at your local university extension office or college. Many universities have extension offices that offer courses relating to agriculture, horticulture and botany, among other topics related to food production and sustainability education like permaculture design principles; some even offer online learning options! If you’re looking for something more hands-on than just reading articles online then this may be something worth checking out!

Visit an urban farm.

The best way to learn how to start an urban farm is by visiting the farms themselves.

Not only can you see what they’re doing and how they do it, but you can also ask questions about things that might not be clear from online resources or books. You’ll learn a lot from other growers and find out what works for them and what doesn’t work for them. Plus, you’ll get an idea of the space you’ll need if this is something that interests you in the future.

Pick your plants wisely by deciding what soil you have before you dig in.

Soil type is important. Soil can be tested, amended, and tested for pH.

Soil can be tested for nutrients.

Soil can be tested for bacteria and fungus.

Think about water.

One of the first things you should figure out is how much water your garden will need. The amount of water needed depends on where you are, what type of plants you’re growing, and how big your garden is going to be.

Water can come in many forms: rainwater, well water, public supply water or spring water. How do you get it to your urban farm? If there are no natural sources nearby (like rivers), then consider using a pump system that brings in raw water from somewhere else. If you have access to wells or springs on the property then those types of systems may be easier and more cost effective!

What about quality? Is this raw source safe for human consumption? Are there any contaminants (like heavy metals) present which could harm people who drink/eat from this source over time?

Consider your space.

If you’re thinking about starting an urban farm or community garden, the first thing to consider is how much space you have available.

In addition to considering how much space you have available, it’s also important to think about what kind of space you would like to use. Some people choose to grow in their yards or on their patios, while others decide that they would like a more public presence for their growing activities—and there are many options for both!

Research what you can and can’t sell in your area.

When you’re thinking about selling your produce, research the regulations in your area. Depending on where you live, what you can and can’t sell will vary. If it’s within city limits, for example, it might be legal for people to sell fresh fruits and vegetables but not fresh eggs or meat products. You should also check with local zoning laws to make sure that urban farming is allowed in your area.

If things are looking good so far—you’ve done some research and learned that food sales are permitted in your area—then consider getting in touch with local government officials who can give you more specific information about the types of things they allow people to sell locally. They may even want to interview potential vendors as part of their process!

Make connections.

Start by making connections. You’ll need to find out who are the local authorities, gardening clubs and councils in your area. You also want to get in touch with as many businesses or nurseries as possible that deal in urban farming equipment and supplies.

When you’ve identified all of these people, make an appointment with them and tell them about your plans for an urban farm or community garden. Make sure they understand what you’re trying to achieve and why this project is important for your community.

If there is no community garden near you, you can start one!

If there is no community garden near you, you can start one! It’s easy to do and won’t cost much. You can start with just a few plants—or even just one! You can grow them in containers or on your balcony.

You can grow plants with friends in your backyard or on a rooftop together. If you don’t know any other gardeners yet, that’s okay too: just look up gardening clubs in your area and see if they’re looking for new members who want to get some hands-on experience.

Even if money is tight right now, don’t let that stop you from starting an urban farm or community garden project! There are many ways for beginners (even without access to land) to get started growing food without spending too much money at first: using recycled materials like broken pots from thrift stores; growing edibles in containers like old tires lined with plastic bags filled with dirt; using recycled plastic bottles as mini-greenhouses for seedlings–there are so many creative ways of getting things done without breaking the bank! Just remember: when it comes down to it all we really need is sunlight and soil (not always).

Growing vegetables and flowers, herbs for tea, or a fruit tree is not only good for your health but can also be good for your hip pocket. If you don’t have the space to get started at home, then maybe a community garden is what you need. Let’s get growing!

• Section three: Conclusion*