BASIC URBAN GARDENING

BASIC URBAN GARDENING

Module 1: Urban Gardening and its Importance

Introduction

The Impact of Urban Agriculture

The influx of population to urban areas looking for jobs and thereby settled when conditions are favorable for their
survival has increased the need for fresh and safe food like vegetables.

Urban agriculture contributes to food security and food safety. Hence, in promoting sustainable agriculture, it is wise to
consider the potential productivity of the vacant spaces in and around the city.

Living in the city is not a hindrance in their desire to grow crops as source of safe and nutritious foods and additional
income.

Why Urban Agriculture?

In the Philippines there is a continuous movement of people from the rural to the urban areas. There were efforts to
slow down this pattern, however, urbanization seems to be in a continuous process. This resulted to a rapid increase in
urban poverty and urban food insecurity.

Self-assessment Question

What is your opinion of the following statement?

“If there is poverty in the city there co-exists food insecurity” -- agree, disagree, or do you need more information about
the issue. Why?

Factors to consider in Urban Gardening

Some considerations before starting your urban gardening in the city?

1. Identify the purpose of your garden

 Is your garden for home consumption?

 Is your garden a potential source of additional income?
 Is your garden for landscape improvement?
 Is your garden a place for physical and mental rejuvenation?

2. Determine the available spaces for plants or for plant containers

Look around the vicinity of your house or around your neighborhood.

 Roof tops
 Porch
 Walls
 Concrete Fence

If you consider for a community garden, you may look for public open spaces in the city like the backyard of the city hall
or barangay hall, some spaces around a chapel, undeveloped portion of a park, etcetera.

3. Determine the right kind or type of vegetables to be raised

 Food preferences/taste of the members of the family

 Adaptable variety
 Supply and demand situation of a particular vegetable

4. Look for Appropriate Containers

 Plastic pails
 Unusable kettles/frying pan
 Used tires
 Tin cans
 Plastic containers

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Container gardening is a practical strategy when you have space at the rooftop or in any concrete open spaces. This is
one way of RE-using those containers that are supposed to be thrown away

5. Prepare seed boxes for growing your seedlings

 Wooden boxes
 Plastic containers
 Styrofoam boxes

Self-assessment Question

Considering the factors before establishing the city gardens is like a driver preparing for a long journey.

Are you ready for the journey?

What is Urban Gardening?

 Urban agriculture is simply farming in the cities and other highly urbanized areas.
 It is the practice of cultivating, processing and distributing food in or around a town or city.
 Urban agriculture can also be considered as agricultural activities and agri-based livelihood projects in an urban
setting.

Module 2: Steps in Urban Gardening

Steps in installing the garden

Step 1. Prepare the necessary material resources

Do you have the:

 viable seed
 good garden soil
 composts
 garden tools

Step 2. Sowing of Seeds

A. Sowing in a seedbox

 Prepare an appropriate box or empty container

 Mix garden soil, fine sand and compost in the ratio of 1:1:1

B. Direct Planting

 Seeds like ampalaya, upo and squash can be directly planted.

 Loosen the soil, and mix the right amount of compost.
 Green onions, chives, garlic and ginger can be directly planted too.

Step 3. Prepare the container or area for planting

 In case of container gardening, arrange the containers to optimize the area or space.
 Fill the container with the right growing medium. (1 part garden soil, 1 part compost)
 Mix well the materials and fill-in the container up to its rim.

Step 4. Transplanting of Seedlings

 Three to four-week old seedlings are ready for transplanting.

 Depending on the weather condition, seedlings can be pricked and hardened or transplanted directly to the
desired area.
 Transplanting, especially for direct method, shall be done late in the afternoon.
 Water the newly transplanted seedlings with a compost tea or with tap water mix with 5-10% liquid organic
fertilizer.

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 Cover the newly transplanted seedling with any appropriate material to protect it from the scorching heat of
the sun.
 Seed cover shall be taken late in the afternoon to get rid of herbivorous insects that will possibly eat the
leaves of the seedling.

Step 5. Water Management

 Water is an important resource in vegetable gardening.

 In principle, vegetables are watered daily.
 However, if the soil has enough moisture, then watering is done when needed by the plants.

Step 6. Soil Management

 Compost pit or bin is an indispensable part in city gardening.

 All kitchen wastes are kept and be used as a good material for composting.
 Liquid wastes can be kept and processed into a liquid fertilizer by fermentation using microorganisms.

Step 7. Pest Management

 Crop diversity to enhance crop stability

- There should be proper combination of garden plants or vegetables to keep away those harmful insects
from habitating the area.
 Planting of repellant crops shall be observed
- Repellent crops include onions, garlic, chives, oregano, lemon grass, etc.
 Encourage the presence of predators in your garden
- Predators kill the harmful insects like bugs and adult borers.
 Allocate a small portion for growing medicinal herbs
- These herbs help drive away the harmful insects from your garden.

Consolidated by:

LOREN F. ALLAGA, LPT

TESDA Student
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Date: May 9, 2020